Angelina Jolie tells teens: 'Different is good'

The UN Ambassador delivers an inspiring speech at the Nickelodeon awards

'Knowledge is power': Angelina Jolie has written about her preventive surgery (AFP/Getty)

Angelina Jolie isn’t just inspiring debates on women’s health.

Just days after the actress was praised for her brave decision to have her ovaries removed to prevent her children from losing their mother to ovarian cancer, she delivered an inspiring message to young fans at the Nickelodeon Awards.

In her first public appearance since undergoing the preventative surgery, she collected the villain award for her role as Maleficent in the eponymous re-imagined live action version of Sleeping Beauty.

“When I was little, like Maleficent, I was told that I was different,” she said.

“And, then one day I realized something, something that I hope you all realize: Different is good.

“And, as your villain, I would also say cause a little trouble - it's good for you.”

She attended the awards show with two of her children, Shiloh and Zahara.