Disney star shares Christian gospel at Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

Disney star Joshua Bassett shared the message of the Christian gospel with viewers during an acceptance speech at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Saturday.

"There's a very real God who loves you," 22-year-old Bassett said in part as he accepted an award for Favorite Male TV Star.

The Disney standout plays Ricky Bowen in "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series," which airs on the network's streaming platform, Disney+.

Bassett began by thanking his supporters and the cast and crew of HSMTMTS.

"And I'd love to thank my savior, Jesus Christ," the young man then said, the crowd cheering in the background.

"I want to say something. There are a lot of people here who are burdened, brokenhearted, and have been beated down by life," he said, while holding the distinctive, orange, blimp-shaped trophy.

"And I'm here to tell you. For those of you who've lost hope, there's a very real God who loves you more than you will ever possibly know, ok?" Bassett said.

"His promise is peace, and my testimony is my healing," he also said.

Like any good sermon, Bassett delivered three points for his young fans as takeaways.

"Remember: Forgive quickly, love freely, and walk courageously," he concluded gesturing on each point in turn.

"Love always wins in the end," he concluded.

Bassett, who is openly gay, made headlines in February after he was baptized during a filmed worship service at Bethel Church in Redding, California.

He shared a video clip on social media confessing his faith in Jesus Christ February 13.

"Hi, my name is Joshua," Bassett begins, standing on stage at the church. "And long story short, I grew up Christian, and I ran the other way as far as I could go in pursuit of 'truth,' and that only ended in addiction, depression, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, etc."

"No other teacher gave me anywhere near the peace that Jesus Christ did," Bassett also said, to massive audience applause.

"I’m here to publicly declare him as my Lord and Savior," he concluded in the 28-second clip.

Later that day, Bassett again took to social media to say he did not endorse all of Bethel's policies and beliefs, adding, "[M]y heart is for Christ and Christ alone."

Bassett may have been referencing the megachurch's alleged "glamorizing" of "conversion therapy," as described in Out in 2019.

Billboard magazine noted some fans had expressed "concern" about Bassett's recent conversion to Christianity as well as his choice of venues at which to be baptized.

Watch Bassett's acceptance speech below.

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