“So, I looked up the actual definition of trailblazer, and it means ‘someone who blazes a trail to be followed by others.’ And that’s an honor that you’re associated with a concept like that, but the only thing I can hope that something like this award inspires is originality. Because the trailblazers that I’ve looked up to and been inspired by are people like Gilda Radnor and Bill Murray and John Candy; and Charlie Chaplin, and the Beatles, and J.D. Salinger; and Lorne Michaels, who reminds me of the importance of comedy; and Cameron Crowe, whose work consistently reminds me why I want to be an actor. Those people are my creative trailblazers, but I’m not following any of their paths. What’s incredible about them is they make me want to be more myself, because they’re all originals. And I hope that you’ll find your trailblazers — and trust me, I do not need to be one of them, I probably shouldn’t be — but that you’ll continue to harness your own originality and what makes you unique. Because I know that when you’re a teenager, and even sometimes when you’re an adult, what sets you apart can feel like a burden. And it’s not; a lot of the time, it’s what makes you great.” - Emma Stone