Orange Is the New Black star Danielle Brooks used her celebrity to lift the spirits of a young girl struggling with issues about her dark complexion. High School teacher Valencia D. Clay uploaded a video of one of her students sharing how she felt about having a darker complexion.

“I thought light skinned girls were prettier. I was always the Black ugly girl because like you could look at all the lighter skinned complexions and everybody would be in love with them in their face and everything and it’s like ‘well dang. Just because I’m dark skinned I’m not pretty,” the young girl explained.

Once Brooks caught wind of the viral video she quickly took to Instagram saying,”First of all I want to commend the girls in the video for who supported her. I think that’s very important but also I want to speak to that young girl.”

Using her own personal struggles with her complexion, the SAG award winner continued, “I see you. I see you. I have been you. Sometimes I am you and I just want you to know that I’m trying to be that representation for you because I know what it’s like to feel unwanted and unloved because of your skin.”

Dishing on how she’s overcome, Brooks concluded, “Finally I’ve gotten to a point where I know I’m beautiful and can’t nobody take that away from me and I want you to know that too.”

Check out Danielle Brooks full length statement below: