Watch TIME100 Impact Awards honoree Ke Huy Quan's acceptance speech in Singapore.
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00:00 I first off, I gotta say I love this award.
00:05 I'm so, so happy.
00:06 So thank you so much to Time
00:10 for this amazing, amazing honor tonight.
00:12 (audience applauding)
00:14 Thank you, thank you.
00:15 Actors tell stories through characters
00:22 they bring to life on screen.
00:24 So it is truly, truly moving to be recognized
00:28 for the impact my own story has made.
00:32 Honestly, all this still feels
00:37 like it can't really be happening.
00:39 I spent so many years struggling to find work,
00:44 going to meetings, hoping to convince producers
00:51 and filmmakers to give me a chance, to give me a job.
00:56 And oftentimes wondering why I never got the call
01:00 and what I could have done differently.
01:02 Let me tell you, it's not a good feeling, okay?
01:07 It's hard to chase a dream
01:11 when it feels like it might be slipping away.
01:14 So the idea that one day I'd be called an inspiration
01:19 is more than I could have ever hoped for.
01:23 I admit, I still have moments of doubt.
01:28 I still wonder if I deserve all of this.
01:30 Then I meet someone who has been affected by my story
01:36 and I just feel blessed.
01:37 All the struggles that I had was worth it
01:42 if it inspired just one person.
01:44 And I couldn't be more thankful that it has reached so many.
01:48 I've had people stop me on the street
01:51 with tears in their eyes,
01:53 telling me that I helped them through a difficult time,
01:57 that I helped keep them going.
02:01 It means so much to me
02:04 because there were many, many times in my life
02:07 where I needed that exact same encouragement
02:09 and inspiration.
02:11 And all I can tell them is that I was them.
02:16 I was them.
02:21 I know what they were going through.
02:23 You know, it doesn't matter
02:25 whether you're in the film industry,
02:27 you're an activist, an athlete, a school teacher,
02:31 or even if you're just dreaming
02:33 for a better job or a better life.
02:35 Whatever you're fighting for,
02:39 please remember, change doesn't happen in a day.
02:43 Sometimes it takes more than 20 years.
02:50 (audience applauding)
02:53 The Oscars really changed everything for me.
03:02 Doors opened that I never thought
03:04 I would be able to walk through.
03:06 I didn't have to go to a meeting to win a job.
03:11 Filmmakers were looking to work with me.
03:13 Can you believe that?
03:14 Me, they were looking to work with me.
03:17 That's incredible.
03:19 And tonight, another door has opened.
03:22 I am so honored to be part of a community of people
03:27 who are doing just great and amazing things
03:31 to help the world.
03:32 I want to continue to be an inspiration.
03:36 I want to open those doors for other people.
03:40 I cannot believe the journey I am on,
03:45 and I want to bring as many people as I can along with me.
03:50 This, this hasn't been a happy ending to my story.
03:56 This has been a happy new beginning.
04:02 And just like all of you,
04:05 I cannot wait to see where it goes next.
04:09 Thank you so much.
04:10 Thank you.
04:11 Thank you, Amanda.
04:11 Thank you once again for time, for this amazing honor.
04:14 I love you all.
04:15 Thank you. I love Singapore.
04:17 [APPLAUSE]