Vannacht gaf Jared Leto tijdens de MTV VMA's een sterke speech over zijn vriend Chester Bennington, zanger van Linkin Park die afgelopen juli zelfmoord pleegde. Hij sprak ook over Chris Cornell, de zanger van Soundgarden die zich eerder dit jaar ook van het leven beroofde.
Leto sprak over de hechte band die hij met Bennington had. Hij zei:
'When I think about Chester, I see his face, which was always smiling. I think about his heart, which he wore on his sleeve. I think how kindly he treated me, my brother, Tomo [Milicevic], our band. I think about his wife and his six incredible children. I think about his family; I think about his band, who were really his brothers. I think about his voice, which was, at once, ferocious and delicate. That voice will live forever.'
Voordat hij naar een fragment van een Linkin Park-optreden tijdens eerdere VMA's toesprak, had Leto nog een paar woorden over mentale gezondheid. Leto:
'If there is anyone out there who is watching this tonight who feels like there is no hope, hear me now: You are not alone. There is always a way forward. Reach out, share your thoughts. Do not give up, and I promise you this: The biggest breakthroughs in life lie just beyond the darkest days.'
Ontroerend. Zie hier zijn volledige speech:
