Who better to teach young children about loving the skin that they are in than an an Oscar winning actress that herself has struggled with self-acceptance? That's exactly what Sesame Street was thinking when they brought in Lupita Nyong'o to have a chat with Elmo about skin. It's amazing how such a sweet interaction that lasts precious few minutes can deliver such a hard-hitting message.
In the clip Lupita and Elmo discuss the many uses for skin, how it protects us and allows us to feel various things. Sesame Street may have been around forever it seems but up until this clip viewers' had no idea that beneath Elmo's red fur is equally red skin. Lupita talks about loving how many "beautiful shades and colors" that skin comes in. The actress sure has come a long way from her humble beginnings that found her knee-deep in self-hate and praying for lighter skin. Ironically, in 2014 Lupita Nyong'o found herself named as People Magazine's most beautiful person of the year.
Sesame Street really has a way of connecting with not only its' young viewer's, but also with their parents. The show is known for simplifying adult concepts in ways that leave many grown fans wondering why the world is as complicated as it tends to be. The lessons that we all learn at age 6 with Elmo can easily carry over into adulthood, don't you think?
What do you think of Lupita's sweet thoughts on skin that were shared with Elmo? Do you love that even Oscar-winning stars still make time to be a part of Sesame Street?
