Jada Pinkett Smith Reveals Why She Didn't Always Think She Was A Trailblazer

Leave it to Jada Pinkett Smith to get really real while in her MTV Movie & TV Awards speech.


At Monday night's (June 17) show, the multi-hyphenate star was honored with the Trailblazer Award, which "recognizes game-changing creators with fresh and fearless voices in entertainment." Presenter Tiffany Haddish spoke to Pinkett Smith's stellar reputation, noting, "She's never stopped pushing boundaries." Alicia Keys and Queen Latifah echoed the same sentiment in a highlight reel showcasing Pinkett Smith's work as an actress, activist, philanthropist, and mother.


And nevertheless, once the Girls Trip star took the stage — accompanied by her son/hype man Jaden — she admitted that she was initially skeptical about accepting the honor.


"It's a trip, because any time MTV called me to receive an award for trailblazing, I was like, 'I don't know if I deserve this quite however she revealed. Although then I had to think — I mentioned, 'Jada, why don't you think you deserve this award?' Plus it was because I was comparing myself to all of the several trailblazers that I admire."


That beginning bout of imposter syndrome disappeared, explained, if she realized that she —and all of us — have something in normal with those trailblazers she looks up to.


"Often we applaud the trails people blaze in the external world that we can visualize, although very rarely do we applaud the trails that are blazed in the concealed rooms of the mind that are full of uncertainty, false beliefs, and pain," she explained. "It's these internal obstacles that must be challenged sort in attempt to muster the courage to forge new paths that we can visualize in the world.


"Every last person in this room must do that in some capacity," the Red Table Talk creator continued. "That means that each and every person in this room is trailblazing. So as you honor me tonight, I'd like to honor all of you. And I'd like to mention, here's to us for all of our trailblazing."


You heard it from Jada: blazing trails is something we're all capable of doing. She has the shiny new Golden Popcorn trophy to prove it.