The young stars of Moonlight have taken out Best Kiss at the MTV Movie and TV Awards in Los Angeles.
Ashton Sanders and Jharrel Jerome took home the trophy for their portrayal of teenage Chiron and Kevin—who share a tender kiss during a poignant beach scene in the Academy Award winning film.
“It is okay for us young performers, especially us minority performers, to step out of the box,” said Jerome as he accepted the award.
"I think it is OK to step out of the box and do whatever it takes to tell the story and do whatever it takes to make a change.
“And so this award is for that — for us artists who are out there who need to step out of the box to do whatever it takes to get people to wake up."
Sanders added that the recognition was significant for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
“This award is bigger than Jharrel and I,” he continued. “This represents more than a kiss. This is for those who feel like the others, the misfits. This represents us.”
Best Kiss nominees included actors from La La Land, Beauty and the Beast, Empire and Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates.
Director Barry Jenkins tweeted that he “could not be prouder” of Jerome and Sanders.
Fans are similarly elated that the Best Kiss award went to actors portraying queer people of colour.
Jerome and Sanders ended their acceptance speech with a super cute air kiss in front of the the ecstatic MTV audience.
