On February 18, Yarraka Bayles posted a Facebook video of her 9-year-old son, Quaden Bayles, crying and saying he wanted to kill himself. “This is the impact of bullying!” she wrote. “I seriously don’t know what else to do.” Since then, the video has gone viral, and a GoFundMe to help send Quaden to Disneyland has already raised over $250,000. Quaden has been routinely bullied for his dwarfism, and the internet has swarmed to support him, condemning the continued toll that bullying takes on our youth and letting Quaden know they have his back, now and always.
Alyssa Milano, Hugh Jackman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and many more celebs have spoken out to show their support for young Quaden. These stars feel strongly (as we do!) that bullying is never okay. Find out what they had to say.
Alyssa Milano
Quaden Bayles: Celebrities rally to send bullied boy to Disneyland 💕 https://t.co/7pgE8Bip0C
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) February 21, 2020
Alyssa Milano spread the word by sharing CNN’s link to Quaden’s GoFundMe and adding a heart emoji.
Hugh Jackman
Quaden – you’ve got a friend in me. #BeKind @LokelaniHiga https://t.co/8dr3j2z8Sy pic.twitter.com/jyqtZYC953
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) February 20, 2020
Hugh Jackman recorded a video for young Quaden, saying: “Everyone, let’s please be kind to each other. Bullying is not OK. Period. Life is hard enough. So let’s just remember, every person in front of us is facing some kind of battle. So let’s just be kind.”
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
— Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@JDMorgan) February 20, 2020
Walking Dead star Jeffrey Dean Morgan recorded his own video in response to Quaden’s, inviting the young Australian to meet him in person. “What I want you to know is you have friends, me included. I am your buddy. You haven’t met me yet, but we’ll see if we can change that…You have a bunch of friends out here, out in the world that you haven’t met yet. But we’re here and we’ve got your back. And you need to know that. It’ll get better.”
Patricia Heaton
Can we all give some love and encouragement to Quadra and his family? See below: he needs our help!
Quaden, I hope you see this! There are thousands of people who want to tell you how wonderful and important you are! https://t.co/4coVKb8xyO— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) February 21, 2020
Everybody Loves Raymond star Patricia Heaton wrote “can we all give some love and encouragement to [Quaden] and his family? See below: he needs our help!”
Josh Gad
And kind than they can ever hope to be. Bullies are nobodies. They bully because they’re insecure, have low self-esteem and are looking for attention for all the wrong reasons. If a child bullies, then be a better parent and have a zero-tolerance policy at home. #stopbullying
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) February 21, 2020
This video of Quaden struck a personal note with Frozen star Josh Gad. “As someone who was bullied as a child and to this day gets bullied by trolls online, I can safely say with confidence that you are so much more special, beautiful, and kind than they can ever hope to be. Bullies are nobodies.”
Brad Williams
Here’s my text with Quaden’s mother. Please continue to donate! https://t.co/vGLHQXzO0K pic.twitter.com/8plTpRIHBY
— Brad Williams (@funnybrad) February 20, 2020
Brad Wililams, a comedian with achondroplasia (the same genetic disorder as Quaden), began the fundraiser for the Bayles family, and posted updates on his communications with Quaden’s mom.
“Omg I’m crying,” she texted him. “I seriously cannot believe this and cannot thank u enough.” He wrote back: “Bullying will not be tolerated!”
James Woods
I’m hoping my lovely followers in Australia will somehow bring this to the attention of my pal, #QuadenBayles. Hang in there, Quaden! You’ve got more friends than you know. I was bullied a lot as a kid. We’ve all been there. Go, Quaden! https://t.co/yZJs5Rd5F6
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) February 21, 2020
“I’m hoping my lovely followers in Australia will somehow bring this to the attention of my pal, #QuadenBayles,” wrote Casino star James Woods. “Hang in there, Quaden! You’ve got more friends than you know.”
Jo Frost
So tired of 'We are Zero Tolerance'
Soultion: Act on your policy!
Schools need 2 edu, teach #Empthy Give consequences,have parental educators help both families, the victim n thse who bully.#stopbullying I stand with #QuadenBayles You brave❤U
Xx pic.twitter.com/mUH6Y6wXRG— Jo Frost (@Jo_Frost) February 21, 2020
Supernanny star Jo Frost took the school system to task for not taking more preventative measures. “So tired of ‘We are Zero Tolerance,'” she wrote. “[Solution]: Act on your policy!”
Gabi Butler
This is NOT ok. Quaden you sweet boy, you are loved & you are special! You have a gift to give to the world & God has great plans for you! We would love to have you come visit us here at Navarro so we can do some stunts for you! We love you Quaden! https://t.co/6QTORa7b58
— 𝕲𝖆𝖇𝖎 𝕭𝖚𝖙𝖑𝖊𝖗 (@GabiButlerCheer) February 21, 2020
Cheer star Gabi Butler sent a strong message to her fans: “This is NOT ok. Quaden you sweet boy, you are loved & you are special! You have a gift to give to the world & God has great plans for you!”
Perez Hilton
#StopBullying is trending because of this video. But that is not enough! #QuadenBayles is just 9 and in so much pain from the daily taunting of his classmates that he wants to end his life. His mom does not blame the school, but I do! pic.twitter.com/FvTtXsMK8m
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) February 21, 2020
Blogger Perez Hilton spoke out in support of Quaden too: “#StopBullying is trending because of this video. But that is not enough!” he wrote. “#QuadenBayles is just 9 and in so much pain from the daily taunting of his classmates that he wants to end his life. His mom does not blame the school, but I do!”
Enes Kanter
The world is behind you
The @celtics are behind you ChampLove the jersey, Why don’t we get you to one of our games. ☘️
Front row seat 🙌#QuadenBayles#WestandwithQuaden pic.twitter.com/Yipd52uT29
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) February 20, 2020
NBA player Enes Kanter posted a photo of Quaden in a Celtics jersey, writing: “The world is behind you. The @celtics are behind you Champ. Love the jersey. Why don’t we get you to one of our games.”
Charlie Pickering
Hey #QuadenBayles -you are awesome and you are loved. I was bullied a lot at school. There were days that I wanted to never go back and I wished I wasn’t who I was. But it got better. You’re a million times stronger than I was. The world is a million times better with you in it. pic.twitter.com/wicP0mt1Nx
— Charlie Pickering (@charliepick) February 21, 2020
Australian comedian Charlie Pickering spoke out to let Quaden know he’s not alone. “Hey #QuadenBayles – you are awesome and you are loved. I was bullied a lot at school. There were days that I wanted to never go back and I wish I wasn’t who I was. But it got better.”
Scooter Braun
We stand with you buddy. You have a friend in myself and all those around me. I saw your video and sending love to you and your mom. Let’s be better to eachother. #QuadenBayles
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) February 21, 2020
Music exec Scooter Braun sent a message of friendship: “We stand with you buddy. You have a friend in myself and all those around me. I saw your video and sending love to you and your mom. Let’s be better to each [other].”
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