Marsai Martin, 14, Opens Up About Depression Battle and Being in ‘A Dark Place’

June 27, 2019

Marsai+Martin+BET+Awards+2019+Press+Room+X7qO9r0NLYBl — Marsai Martin speaks onstage at the 2019 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
(June 22, 2019 – Source: Getty Images North America)

*14-year-old Marsai Martin recently made history when she became the youngest executive producer in Hollywood history with the movie “Little.” Best known for her role on the ABC TV sitcom “Blackish,” as her Black star-power continues to rise, Marsai is quickly learning that there’s a high price for fame.

In a reflective Instagram post titled “Appreciation post to God” on Tuesday, Marsai opened up about her struggles with self-doubt and “dark emotions.”

“This year has been a rollercoaster,” she wrote.

“Moments from this year, I was in a dark place. A place that I didn’t think I was going to get out of. I thought I wasn’t good enough and I thought I needed to present myself in a way that was ‘perfect’ when I didn’t need to. Putting so much pressure on myself. Fighting with myself. The more I kept how I was feeling hidden, the more this dark emotion got bigger.”

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Appreciation post to God: I sometimes see these types of posts as corny but this is how I feel lol. This year has been a roller coaster. This year has been filled with crazy emotions and big blessings that I couldn’t even imagine me having. Moments from this year, I was in a dark place. A place that I didn’t think I was going to get out of. I thought I wasn’t good enough and I thought I needed to present myself in a way that was “perfect” when I didn’t need to. Putting so much pressure on myself. Fighting with myself. This feeling had nothing to do with how child actors think. These were my own personal thoughts. The more I kept how I was feeling hidden, the more this dark emotion got bigger. I finally talked to my parents even tho they already knew how I was feeling. It made me feel better about myself. A sense of relief. I started praying more, talking more, and spending more time with the people I love. Now I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt In a long time. Thank you God for hearing my prayers. Thank you God for blessing me with the greatest family and friends. I encourage everyone to speak their mind to anyone u trust. Even asking a random person “how are you?” Can mean something. Also, be yourself because no one can be like you, other than YOU. Okay I’m done bye♥️ – MM

A post shared by Marsai Martin (@marsaimartin) on Jun 25, 2019 at 12:07pm PDT

Martin said she prayed for guidance out of the darkness, and she credits her parents for helping her find peace and her happy place.

“Thank you God for hearing my prayers. Thank you God for blessing me with the greatest family and friends. I encourage everyone to speak their mind to anyone u trust. Even asking a random person “how are you?” Can mean something. Also, be yourself because no one can be like you, other than YOU. Okay I’m done bye”.

You can read her full confession via the IG embed above.

Martin was presented with the innovator of the year award at the BET Awards on Sunday, and she dedicated her prize to “all the young girls of color who feel like they don’t belong or are they are just not seen.”

“I want you to know that I see you,” she added. “As long as I’m pushing the narrative, the world will see you, also.”

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