On Saturday, I spoke in Somerset, New Jersey at TEDxFranklinHighSchool. If you’re not familiar with TED, it’s basically a massive platform of inspirational speakers. Official programs like schools and nonprofits can organize their own TED talks. Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to have a TED talk. Even my mom knows what a TED talk is! When I got approved for the TED talk back in January, I had come up with the idea of the talk being on rejection. Since rejection is so common within the entertainment industry and life in general, I wanted to base the talk off of my own experiences. There was one experience in particular early last year that really shaped me as a human and prepared me for the rejection I’d continue to face in the entertainment world. When I got on stage on Saturday, I instantly felt the passion and drive within the kids who were watching. I can’t describe the feeling of walking on a stage and knowing that you have the power to inspire and help so many young people find their true passion and strengths.

Thank you so much to everyone who came, and a huge thank you to that producer last year who rejected me. Because the experiences I have and that you will have shape you as a person- and it’s up to you to determine how you want to proceed in your life after you deal with the word no.

What can I say, everything happens for a reason.

A full video of my TED talk will be available next week!