Dear Ms. Leslie,

Let me first start by saying you are one of the funniest and most courageous people ever. I mean seriously funny is an understatement. I have loved you and been a fan of yours since you played "Brittany" on National Security, tossing Martin Lawrence around like he was a rag doll! I've always wondered what kind of courage it takes for a woman to exceed far beyond every stereotype with grace and class as you have done Ms. Leslie. I honestly could not watch you on The View without crying as you expressed your admiration to Whoopi Goldberg thanking her and telling her that as a little girl she inspired you, telling her that as a little girl, she looked like you and she was on television, so you could do it too. And I speak for every little girl with big dreams who aren't necessarily the "ideal woman" with an "ideal size" when I say thank you for being that very inspiration to us, that Whoopi was to you. Thank you for showing me that beauty and talent goes far beyond the exterior.

You are one of the most beautiful women in the industry to date. Not because your smile is gorgeous, or because your melanin is utter perfection, and not because you resemble the incomparable Nina Simone. You're beautiful because your heart is stunning and we can see it in your work, and in the way you take pride in making people laugh, almost like you know that laughter is the key ingredient to life.

Ms. Leslie, the people who take precious time out of their days to hatefully, bash, taunt, and bully you, are not happy with themselves and they hate it when people live their lives with courage as you have been doing and will stop at nothing to tear them down. I mean who wouldn't dedicate a little place of jealousy in their hearts for a woman who has graced the Saturday Night Live stage with some of the world's comedy heavyweights easily standing apart from them? Or a woman who has so elegantly blessed the cover of Elle Magazine so unapologetically fierce in their first women in comedy issue. And most importantly a woman who had Drake sitting in her lap for one her many commercials! I mean talk about amazing!

Women like yourself, Viola Davis, Uzo Aduba and Lupita Nyong'o have reiterated the fact that being unique is a true gift, and you and women alike, make it so much easier for little girls to imagine bright futures for themselves and that is something that no amount of thank you's could ever suffice.

So it is only right that internet trolls with absolutely no life, build themselves up by tearing an amazing woman like you down Ms. Leslie. But let me say this no one of any size, shade, shape, color or creed should ever be subject to the kind of bullying that you have had to endure since the release of your new movie Ghostbusters. I personally know how hard it is to ignore ignorance. So, Ms. Leslie, I wrote this open letter to you to show people that just as easy as it was for people to bully, it's that much easier to build up and encourage. So I am here to say that I stand with you, a true fan, and an admirer of your work. You are one rare celebrity, unique because you are real, your face, your body, your heart, your talent it is all genuine, and again I want to thank you not changing or compromising yourself for anything or anyone, thank you, Ms. Leslie.

The fact that you have done it, and that you're doing it, everything single thing that you have done speaks for itself. I could go on and on about your braveness and courageousness Ms. Leslie but I will let your body of work and the words in this letter speak for themselves.

So again I say thank you, Ms. Leslie, for being a star who isn't afraid to shine!

Sincerely,

Lanecha T.