After weeks of silence, Sandra Bullock decided to announce her return to public life by accepting the Generation Award at last night’s MTV Movie Awards. The Oscar winner, who has suffered public scrutiny and humiliation in light of husband Jesse James’s sex antics, didn’t return with a whimper or even a well-rehearsed smile. She returned with a fearless and funny roar, leaving no one in any doubt that Ms. Bullock is a survivor as she took the stage with humor, grace and class.

After receiving many praises from former co-stars Bradley Cooper and Betty White as they introduced the award, Bullock then received a standing ovation from everyone in attendance. But in true self-deprecating form, she acknowledged the love and support without bringing up her husband’s name once. She quipped that she would like to set a “few facts straight” including “No. 1: I’m not dead, No. 2: Everyone has cellulite, not just me.” She also joked about receiving something called a Generation Award, musing if that meant she was too old and should disappear from movies completely, something she asssured fans she wouldn’t do.
But it was her final comments that showed Bullock’s true character. She asked everyone to go back to normal and make fun of her, and, better yet, to focus on the people of the Gulf Coast who are suffering due to the BP oil spill and “say a prayer for them.”
Bullock accomplished so much with her perfectly-timed comedic rift. She allowed fans to see she is doing fine. She showed she refuses to be a victim, no matter how bad the circumstances. And she reminded us all that one of the key elements of healing from a deep hurt is to focus on those who have it far worse than you do.