On July 16, actor Jacqueline Hughes tweeted a plea for assistance. Her voice student, Charlie, had been bullied at school for loving musical theatre.
Hughes, who has starred as Elphaba on the international tour of Wicked and in the West End, asked members of the theatre community if they could send message of love and support and their own stories to help Charlie realize it gets better:
1/2 Industry friends I need a wee favour. 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.
— Jacqueline Hughes (@_jacquelinehugh) July 16, 2019
2/2 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.
— Jacqueline Hughes (@_jacquelinehugh) July 16, 2019
To date, Charlie has received over 200 messages from members of Six, Aladdin, Wicked, Mamma Mia!, The Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots, and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie as they responded in droves and #CheerUpCharlie (a nod to the movie musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) caught wind. Charlie even received an invitation to meet the stars of Everybody's Talking About Jamie in their dressing rooms.
Charlie hopes #CheerUpCharlie can become part of an anti-bullying campaign to help kids like him know they’re not alone.
Oh my goodness the response to my message has been incredible, im not sure I can reply to you all today but I will! Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❣our theatre community strikes again, united as one THANK YOU ����
— Jacqueline Hughes (@_jacquelinehugh) July 17, 2019
