Interview:
Sara Hirsh Bordo,
director,
"A Brave Heart:
The Lizzie Velasquez Story"
Austin native Lizzie Velasquez spent much of her childhood being stared at or taunted because she was born with a rare syndrome that prevents weight gain. But it wasn’t Lizzie was 17, when she viewed a YouTube video that declared her “the world’s ugliest woman,” that she decided enough was enough. She turned to vlogging to spread messages of positivity and to embark on an anti-bullying crusade. As a result of a well-received and highly viewed TEDxAustinWomen talk, Lizzie garnered a loyal audience as a motivational speaker and author that earned her multiple TV appearances and invitations to appear at conferences and conventions across the world. Now 26, and unable to weigh more than 64 pounds, Lizzie’s rise from bullied high school student to a role model to millions is chronicled in director Sara Hirsh Bordo’s documentary A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story. Sara produced the 2013 TEDxAustinWomen that featured Lizzie as a guest speaker. A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story premiered at this year’s SXSW Film Festival, and opened Sept. 25 in Austin. It also is available for digital downloading. Aired: Sept. 24, 2015 Web site: http://imwithlizzie.com/ |
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