Michelle Rodriguez
Actress Michelle Rodriguez attends the Gala Dinner as part of the amfAR Hong Kong Gala 2016 Getty Images

Michelle Rodriguez is known for her roles as a strong, no nonsense woman in Hollywood’s most infamous films such as "Girlfight," "Avatar," and most notably "The Fast And The Furious" franchise. While we are used to seeing the beauty channeling her inner tough girl persona, her inspiration comes from difficult teenage memories.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Rodriguez who is set to play a schoolteacher who helps to lift the spirits of a bullied young boy in the movie 'Milton’s Secret' can relate very well to the film’s theme.

The 38-year-old shared that she was excited to join the cast of the light family drama due to her past with being bullied in her teenage years. While it may be hard to imagine that Rodriguez was bullied, she discussed how she used those experiences to become a better and stronger person.

"I was bullied as a kid, but I dealt with it a lot differently because I was at a different level growing up in Jersey City," said Rodriguez. "If you didn’t adapt, you die, or parts of your soul would be crushed. People were just really mean in Jersey City. I had to learn to fight really early," she added.

The star reveals that although being bullied left her teenaged years with a couple of scars, it taught her so much about how words are truly impactful.

“I’m more sensitive now because I’ve always been a very tomboyish... I just never gave a f--k about words,” she said. “Now I understand that I have to respect words, and words are powerful, and they are dangerous and they hurt people.”

"Milton's Secret" follows a boy, played by William Ainscough, who discovers that his fearful obsessions prevent him from finding true happiness. The movie is based on the children’s novel by pop-spirituality author Eckhart Tolle and Robert S. Friedman.

The ensemble cast includes David Sutcliffe, Mia Kirshner and Hays Wellford.

Milton’s Secret is currently playing in select theatres across the country. The film is also available on demand and online.

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