Taylor Lautner reacts to cruel comments about his appearance in powerful video

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By Nasima Khatun

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Taylor Lautner has hit back at a bunch of trolls after they made fun of his appearance on social media.

The 31-year-old star, who initially rose to fame as Jacob Black in Twilight, took to Instagram to address some pretty nasty remarks about his physical appearance.

"I just got back from a run. I was feeling really good about myself, you know, trying to stay healthy, both physically and mentally," Lautner began in a video posted to Instagram. "And I felt compelled to share something with you because when I got back from that run, I hopped on Instagram."

He then referenced a post that he saw online discussing his most recent appearance on the talk show Today alongside his wife - who is also named Taylor - where the pair discussed their mental health podcast, The Squeeze.

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The Lautners tied the knot in 2022. Credit: AFF / Alamy

However, rather than the focus being on the great work he was doing with the love of his life, it seems as though some people were instead focused on something else entirely.

"I read a post from last week when Tay and I were in New York to do press about The Squeeze," he said. "And we went on this show, and they recently posted about it, and I was going through the comments and it brought up old feelings and memories why I don't look through comments, but I'm in a different place now, and I just felt compelled to share this with you.

"So I'm gonna, I'm gonna play a little, I'm gonna show you the comments and then I'll be right back."

The actor then inserted a few screenshots from the comment section of the video, censoring the usernames of those who critiqued his features.

"Damn what happened to him," wrote one troll while another added: "Dude did not age well."

Others also commented on his hairline and one user compared the Abduction alum to the animated rat, Ratatouille.

"Those comments are all from one single post, which is crazy, but that's the world we live in, and there's only so much we can do to change it," he continued in the clip.

He then opened up about how these comments may have affected him just a few years ago when he was in a "really unhealthy position," but thankfully Lautner seems to be in a better place now.

"I think what I really wanted to say is if this was, if this was 10 years ago, five years ago, maybe even two, three years ago, that really would've got under my skin, and it would've caused me to want to just go in a hole and not go outside," Lautner admitted. "Definitely don't do press and interviews and put myself in the position where, you know, I have to see that kind of stuff. But at a certain point, it was not even go out, not go to a grocery store, not go where if I was seen, you know, I could take a picture, and it could end up on the internet, and I would have to see that stuff.

"And that was a really unhealthy position to be in," he continued. "And the reason I was in that position, and the reason it affected me as much as it did, is because my value was in the wrong things."

Lautner then went on to speak about the importance of putting value in yourself.

"You find value where you put it, and if you put your value in what other people think of you, that's how you're gonna feel," he explained. "But if you put your value in you, knowing who you are, what's important to you, what you love, that kind of stuff won't get to you. And I'm just so thankful that I am in the place I am today where I can see that.

"And I'm not gonna lie, I'm not gonna say it doesn't bug me. I wouldn't be on here posting this video if it didn't bother me at all, but it doesn't make me question who I am, and it doesn't take anything away from me."

Concluding the video, he added: "So I think my biggest point is just think about and remember where you put your value in life. And also just be nice. It's not that difficult. Let's be nice to each other. Let's spread love and positivity. It's that simple. I love you guys, and I hope you have a great rest of your day."

Thousands took to the comment section to commend the star for his wise words including his wife who re-emphasized her love for him.

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Credit: Instagram

But one particular comment stood out amongst the rest and it came from one of the trolls who was called out.

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Credit: Instagram

In the comments section of Monday's video, the critic replied: "Hey @taylorlautner, I think it’s good that you called me out. I should have expressed myself differently and I never meant to hurt you in any way. The reason I wrote this was really because it made me realize that I aged as well. Because I grew up with you seeing you in my TV.

"When I see actors I used to watch grow old it reminds me of my own age," they continued. "I deeply apologize, and will watch my words in the future. I know they can harm a lot. I wish you nothing but happiness."

The internet could definitely be a better place if everyone was more like this.

Featured Image Credit: The Photo Access / Alamy