Before 2009's 'Precious,' most people had never heard of Gabourey Sidibe. But after the film? She truly became famous; the role was hard-hitting, and critics were impressed.
Though she clearly didn't listen to anyone who told her she couldn't become a successful actress, Gabourey has confirmed there've been plenty of detractors throughout her decade-plus in Hollywood.
In fact, Joan Cusack was one of the first big-wigs to tell Gabourey that Hollywood didn't have a place for her. As Digital Spy explained, before she became well-known from her first movie, she ran into Joan Cusack at "some industry party."
Sidibe, answering the question of what celebrity was she disappointed by upon meeting them, said that though Joan Cusack is her "favourite favourite," the famous lady's words weren't the sweetest.
Gabourey maintained that "it's not in a mean way, because I know that she meant well," but that Joan straight-up told her to stop acting. She said that Joan asked if she was an actress, and when Gabourey said that she was, Joan's response was crushing.
Joan apparently said 'Oh honey, you should really quit the business, it's so image-conscious.' With her long list of experience in Hollywood, including time spent doing everything from a small role in 'Sixteen Candles' to voicing a character on 'Toy Story' to acting in award-winning pieces like 'Shameless,' some would have taken Joan's advice to heart.
As fans know now, Joan's comments — however well-meaning — may have stung at first, but they clearly didn't stop Sidibe from pursuing her dreams.
After 'Precious,' Gabourey had a few roles in films, netted a role on 'The Big C' that lasted three years, acted in 'Difficult People' for two years, and then enjoyed a recurring role on 'American Horror Story' (and the cast of the show has plenty to say about working on the series). She also acted in 'Empire' for a five-year run, as IMDb highlights.
In short, Joan may have had Gabourey's feelings in mind, but she may have underestimated the actress's actual acting ability. Especially given Gabourey's recent performance in 'Antebellum.'
Though fans may not have seen Gabourey in the headlines much recently (apart from backlash over her engagement), she's still working a ton in Hollywood. In addition to her long resume on IMDb, Gabourey is also due to voice act in an upcoming CBS show, 'The Harper House.'
Gabourey has also won an impressively long list of awards — tons of them for 'Precious,' of course. But also for her work on 'Seven Psychopaths,' 'The Big C,' and 'American Horror Story: Coven.'
And for fans who can't get enough of Sidibe and want to hear her story in her own words, she's also written a memoir. It's called 'This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare.' and came out in 2017. Critics call it "wise, complex, smart, funny" and it sounds just like Gabourey Sidibe herself.