You probably recognize her as Shuri, the sassy sister of T’Challa in Black Panther.
But before she landed the biggest role of her career, Letitia Wright grounded herself in the Word of God.
“I identify myself as a child of God, and I can’t get up here without thanking God,” Wright told the crowd Sunday as she accepted the Rising Star award at the British Academy Film Awards, or BAFTA.
“I want to thank everybody who said yes to me, that gave me a chance, and just saw my talent and saw what God placed in me, and said ‘yes,'” Wright said. “I want to encourage young people. You don’t have to be young, you can be any age, but I want to encourage you—anyone going through a hard time … God made you and you’re important,” the actress declared. “There might be some of you here who might be going through a hard time. I just want to encourage you and God loves you. Just let your light shine.”
Watch the video to see her full speech.