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Karlee Roberts to Headline Girlscout's GirlTopia, 11/9

By: Oct. 16, 2013
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BYOU Magazine has made Karlee their "Girl Making A Difference" feature for the Oct/Nov issue and, as such, the Girlscouts will highlight her anti-bullying efforts at Girltopia 2013 on November 9, held at the LA Convention Center. The audience of young teens and tweens is expected to reach 15,000+. Karlee will perform a 15-20 minute set that will include her viral hit "Call Me Whatever" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEFaB-eYpB8), written by Karlee and directed by her older sister, MarLee Roberts.

After the youtube release of the video, KarLee Roberts started getting literally thousands of e.mails from kids who are being bullied and from the bullies themselves, across the country. The result was the "Whatever Tour" that took her across the country, including conventions and public schools from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. The tour culminated with a performance at both the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall as well as being cast in the lead role of, Belle, in Little Miss Perfect," an overly ambitious high school freshman, who secretly starves herself in a misguided attempt to control her life. The film shines a spotlight on the growing popularity of eating disorders promoted through online content.

"Call Me Whatever" is about name-calling and was created in the hopes that she could open doors of communication and relate to other kids her age who have experienced bullying as well. She wanted to express how she felt by writing a poem, and that's when she realized that she wasn't the only one being bullied. So, she turned the poem into a song and created a music video to go along with it. The music video features seven different stereotypes (Nerd, Cheerleader, Guidette, Sporty, Classy, Hipster, Goth) all sharing one thing in common - bullying. Each one is special and not one of them is better than the other. "Can't you see we're all the same within?"

"Call Me Whatever" is meant to build confidence in victims and inform bystanders and bullies. This cause is personally important to her, as well as many other children nation-wide, because she witnessed so many different kinds of bullying. Alienation, indirect, intimidation, name-calling, cyberbullying... "sometimes you are being bullied and you don't even realize it!" No matter what, being bullied never makes you feel good. Feeling insecure can be a very dark and lonely time.

Karlee's goal is to make the years to come bully-free. Using the power of music, she tours spreading awareness and now her support system is growing. Knowing that her song is in some way inspiring others to get through it with confidence is the reason why she loves making music. Slowly, other organizations have been helping as she tours the nation to educate and empower young people and let them know that they are not alone. "Let's stop bullying together! If you or someone you know is a victim of bullying, please tell a trusted adult, parent, teacher, or adviser and check outwww.stopbullying.com."

While on tour, members of the entertainment community have expressed their support of Ms. Roberts video and her anti-bullying efforts, including stage and film personalities such as Anne Hathaway, Debra Messing, Eddie Redmayne, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee, Kellie O'Hara, Nick Cannon, Rachel Weisz, Rob McClure, and Les Miserables director Tom Hooper. Many of whom, Karlee was able to archive and chronicle with her own cell phone camera (attached). Other personality reactions to Ms. Karlee's video include.



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