Boy called ‘gay, fat, stupid’ gets incredible response from celebs on Twitter
(@_jacquelinehugh/Twitter)
A musical theatre teacher posted on Twitter to say a little boy she teaches was suffering homophobic bullying because of his love of musical theatre, and West End stars responded in the most amazing way.
Jacqueline Hughes said that her student Charlie was being called gay, fat and stupid and had been beaten up by six other boys.
She wrote: “Sadly a little boy I teach, Charlie, who is also a dear family friend is sadly being bullied at school for his love of MT, being called gay, fat, stupid….the list goes on.
“Today he was beaten up by 6 boys and left curled up, crying.
“I know many people face bullies everyday and many have in their lifetime.
“But I wondered if you wouldn’t mind, if you have time sending me a little video to cheer him up, maybe some advice, your own stories, how you didn’t let them stop you, what you are doing now.”
Cast members of musicals like Aladdin, Hamilton, Wicked, Mama Mia, Book of Mormon, Come from Away, The Lion King, Kinky Boots and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie all sent videos to Charlie, and the hashtag #cheerupcharlie was trending in the UK on Tuesday (July 16).
#CheerUpCharlie ! I welcome him at my next @ProFromTheShows workshop 🎭 Please let his parents know and ask them to get in touch. We’re all thinking about him at @JamieMusical today – this ones for him! 💙 pic.twitter.com/TzOYOuK9BU
— Layton Williams (@LaytonWilliams) July 17, 2019
Layton Williams: “I dedicate this show I’m about to do especially to you”
Layton Williams, star of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, sent a message from his dressing room to say: “Hi Charlie, it’s Layton here. I just wanted to send you a little message in the hopes that it would cheer you up.
“I hear that you are coming to see the show in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait to meet you.”
Williams said that he would invite Charlie and a friend to a workshop he was planning for free so he could “lap up all the love in the theatre because we celebrate everything here at Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.”
He added: “I’m so sorry you’re having a tough time but I promise you things will get better and I dedicate this show I’m about to do especially to you, okay? Keep smiling.”
Charlie, @JamWestman and the rest of the #HamiltonLDN cast have a message for you… Remember: Eyes up, Wise up, Rise UP! pic.twitter.com/ywetf3eO7p— Hamilton West End (@HamiltonWestEnd) July 17, 2019
Various West End musicals also sent videos of the whole cast offering their support to Charlie, including Hamilton, Kinky Boots and Mama Mia.
Charlie and his teacher responded to all of the messages yesterday with a video of the two of them thanking everyone for the support and performing Elton John’s “I’m still standing” together.
So Charlie has just left crying “happy tears” he is so overwhelmed, seeing his little face light up with each and every message! Needless to say we didn’t get much singing done today! So here’s a thank you from Charlie, doing what he loves xxx #CheerUpCharlie pic.twitter.com/223dw70lq7— Jacqueline Hughes (@_jacquelinehugh) July 17, 2019
