Late Late Toy Show fans were praising Sophia’s powerful anti-bullying message last night.
The Frozen-themed holiday extravaganza aired on Friday night, with plenty of toys, performances and surprise guests.And, of course, the children who joined Ryan Tubridy for the various segments throughout the show.
Eight-year-old Sophia Maher was on the show to demonstrate Pikachu themed plush toys and the Nintendo Switch, as well as a Pac Man game.
But it was the Dubliner’s incredible anti-bullying message and bravery that really blew us away.
After showcasing some of the games, the discussion turned to the harsh comments that Sophia had experienced in life.
“Bullies never win,” Tubridy explained. “They never win in life. They never win when they’re young. They never win when they’re old. And you will win because you’re a gorgeous human being.”
“Do you have a message for other kids who are having a bit of trouble in their life?” the host asked.
“Don’t let the bullies stop the things… from doing the things you want to do,” Sophia said, speaking down the camera. “And life would just suck if everyone was the same.”
“That’s it exactly,” Tubridy agreed. “So you just keep on being who you are, what you are, whoever you want to be.”
And there wasn’t a dry eye in the studio – or at homes across the country, as viewers took to Twitter to praise Sophia.
Watching with a wee kiddo who saw a lot of themselves in Sophia and when Ryan told Sophia they were gorgeous and he appreciated the way they were different she turned to us all and said she felt he was talking to her ❤? #LateLateToyShow https://t.co/eit9avwC3l
— Andrew Galvin (@MaxHomo) November 29, 2019
Sophia, you’re amazing.
I had bullies too. It does get better, always stay you.
You are 100 pikachus strong but you’re the most electrifying. #LateLateToyShow— TwistedDoodles (@twisteddoodles) November 29, 2019
Sophia is a truely inspirational person. The National Anti Bullying Centre was blown away by such a courageous and heart felt message #StandUpToBullies #LateLateToyShow https://t.co/iUoGEu5w4f
— The National Anti Bullying Centre (ABC) (@AntiBullyingCen) November 30, 2019
SOPHIA FOR PRESIDENT ❤️ #LateLateToyShow
— James Patrice (@JamesPatrice) November 29, 2019
Sophia started loads of conversations tonight. Her hair is cool. She is cool. The #LateLateToyShow is cool for letting her tell her story and sharing her anti-Bullying message. You’d love this girl @MonicaLewinsky #TeamSophia https://t.co/sbNl9cfCkh
— Roisin Ingle (@roisiningle) November 29, 2019
the nation looking up to Sophia like: #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/j51qbZZubn
— Róisín Ní Chadhla (@ni_chadhla) November 30, 2019
YOUR HAIR IS FANTASTIC. YOU ARE BRILLIANT SOPHIA. BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE, NOT WHAT THE BULLIES TELL YOU TO BE.
THIS SHOW IS FAR MORE EMOTIONAL THAN I ANTICIPATED.#LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/QuP00fbTru
— Lolsy Byrne (@LolsyByrne) November 29, 2019
You can watch the full segment below.
