In 2013, Anne Hathaway won an Academy Award for her role in 2012's Les Miserable.
During what should have been a joyous era for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner instead became a period of time Hathaway so eloquently described as an "opportunity" to learn.
Though Hathaway's performance earned her numerous accolades, the actor was met with harsh criticism, online hate and social media bullying.
On Monday night, she opened up at Elle's Women in Hollywood event:
"Ten years ago, I was given an opportunity to look at the language of hatred from a new perspective."
"For context - this was a language I had employed with myself since I was 7. And when your self-inflicted pain is suddenly somehow amplified back at you at, say, the full volume of the internet...It's a thing."
Hathaway continued:
"I had no desire to have anything to do with this line of energy. I would no longer create art from this place."
"There is a difference between existence and behavior. You can judge behavior. You can forgive behavior, or not."
"But you do not have the right to judge - and especially not hate - someone for existing. And if you do, you're not where it's at."
Her speech garnered the actor some online love, many noting hateful and bullying behavior is often a reflection of the person spewing it.
Hathaway shared this could be an opportunity for those who hate, as well:
"The good news about hate being learned is that whoever learned it can learn."
"There is a brain there. I hope they give themselves a chance to relearn love."
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