Lonnie Chavis attends the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018, in Los Angeles. Photo : Bennett Raglin ( Getty Images for BET )

What is the world coming to when a 10-year-old has to gather (presumably) grown-ass trolls and straighten them out?


Nonetheless, that’s exactly what Lonnie Chavis, the actor who plays young Randall on NBC tear collector This Is Us, had to do yesterday after he was bullied because of the gap between his front teeth.

But don’t worry about Lonnie, y’all. He can take care of himself. The young star smoothly clapped back with more maturity and poise than those cave dwellers could ever possess even in their pinky toes.


“I could get my gap fixed,” Lonnie said. “Braces can fix this, but, like, can you fix your heart, though?”

The 10-year-old then went on to call out the tragedy that bullying has wrought on many a young life.

“There are kids out there killing themselves just because of y’all hating and trolling and doing just crazy stuff. I mean, It’s stupid. Is it fun? No. It hurts people. People kill themselves, and you’re the one who’s making them doing it. Fix your heart, though. For real,” he continued before encouraging those who may be facing bullying. “I’m happy that I can handle this. I can handle this. I’m not tripping. But there are kids out here. If y’all kids are watching this, don’t trip. Be who you want to be. Do what you want to do. Do you. Be you. Believe in yourself.”


In his caption under the video, the young star added, “To all those being bullied or being trolled YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, YOU ARE AWESOME, and YOU MATTER!”

Preach, Lonnie!

I really don’t understand what possesses anyone to bully someone over his or her looks (or anything), really, especially a child.


Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with (or ugly about) gaps in teeth.

Models like Slick Woods have made a living off of their distinctive looks.


Hell, The Root’s deputy managing editor, and overlord of us all, Yesha Callahan has a gap in her “lovely gap” (her words) of which she’s never been ashamed.[Editor’s note: I am no one’s overlord! —Yesha Callahan]

Y’all really need to let people, especially young people, live without the unnecessary torment, and in the words of the young prophet Lonnie: #FixYoDamnHeart.