Jessica Chastain stands up to industry with moving MVP speech

Jessica Chastain wowed the Critics' Choice Movie Awards audience Thursday night with a beautiful speech about diversity in the entertainment business.

"Today is Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. So it's got me thinking about our need to build the strength of diversity in our industry," she said.

" ... And to stand together against homophobic, sexist, misogynistic, anti-Semitic and racist agendas. I'm an optimist. And I can't help but feel hopeful about the future of film, especially looking at all these beautiful people in this room. Martin Luther King Jr. said, our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. And I would like to encourage everyone in this room to please speak up."

Chastain was accepting the first-ever Critics' Choice Most Valuable Player Award when she touched on the need for more diversity in Hollywood.

Her speech got a standing ovation from the star-studded audience and even got a "wow" from Oprah Winfrey -- yes, a wow from Oprah. Now that's big. Chastain got a little misty-eyed as she spoke, and she likely wasn't the only celeb in the room moved to tears.

This isn't the first time the "Interstellar" actress has spoken out about real-world issues. She often engages with her fans on social media to discuss Hollywood's problems with race and diversity.

She told The Huffington Post in December, "Everyone is saying there is not enough diversity in the industry. Which makes this an exciting time right now ... When everyone is talking about it, things have to change."

Chastain was honored with the MVP Award for her extraordinary range since making her film debut in 2008.

Inside the Critic's Choice Awards:

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