Mama, I Made It: These Celebs Share Their ‘Big Break’ Career Stories
From Lupita Nyong’o to Octavia Spencer, here are some stories from our favorites that attest to the adage, "you never know where tomorrow will take you."
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 22: Octavia Spencer speaks onstage during the 51st NAACP Image Awards, Presented by BET, at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)
It’s 1986, you’re a student of the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, and are out window-shopping. Out of nowhere, a woman approaches and asks, “have you ever thought about modeling?” From there, a you’re whisked away on a runway to walk for one of the biggest designers in the world, just before your 16th birthday.
That’s what happened Naomi Campbell. Thank God she answered “yes” to that woman’s question, who so happened to be Beth Boldt, head of the Synchro Model Agency.
Article continues after video.
WATCH | The Moment These Celebs Made It
Mama, I made it! From Lupita Nyong'o to Steve Harvey, here are some stories of life-changing encounters with some of our favorite actors, models, and overall superstars.
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While a life-changing encounter like this is few and far between, everyone has an interesting “big-break” story to tell (from a dream job interview to an acceptance letter from your first-choice school), and we want are more susceptible to listen to them if they’re coming from a celebrity.
While a “big break” can sound far-fetched, they do happen, and incredibly inspiring to learn about. From Lupita Nyong’o to Octavia Spencer, here are some stories from our favorites that attest to the adage, “you never know where tomorrow will take you.”
01
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell said in a Harper’s Bazaar interview: “A woman came up to me and asked if I’d ever thought of modelling. It was Beth Boldt, head of the Synchro agency. My immediate reaction was surprise and excitement,” Campbell told The Guardian. “My mum wanted me to stay on at school and finish my exams. But I wanted things my way, so a few weeks later I went to see Beth on my own. On my first visit, she parted my hair in the middle, did my makeup and took me up on the roof in my school uniform to take a few black-and-white pictures. Eventually, Mum decided I could model, so long as it didn’t interfere with my school work or exams.”
Article continues after video.
02
Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o was an instant star in her very first role. While still a student at Yale Drama, her manager fought to get her an audition in 12 Years A Slave, Steve McQueen (its director) saw her perform and the rest was history. McQueen said he was enthralled with her performance and have sung her praises ever since.
03
Halle Berry
Halle Berry spent her early year living in a homeless shelter in New York City.
After running out of money as a young, aspiring actress in the Big Apple, she was scared witless. “I called my mother and asked her to send me some money, and she said no, and that subsequently led to a year of not speaking to her because I was so upset that she wouldn’t help me,” she shared in a PEOPLE Magazine interview. “That’s probably one of the best things she did for me … She said, ‘If you want to be there, then you work it out.’ And I had to work it out … Giving up was never an option.” She soon landed a role in the movie Jungle Fever in 1991, and the rest was history.
04
Steve Harvey
While chasing his comedy dreams, Harvey was homeless in 80s for three years.
“It was rock bottom,” he said. “But even in my darkest days, I had faith it would turn around.” Fortunately, his luck changed and he was able to perform at Showtime at the Apollo in 1993.
He was seen by the right people, and from there, his star rose.
05
Dwayne Johnson
The Fast & Furious franchise star once had dreams of being an NFL player but had to come to terms with the reality that that wasn’t going to happen for him. “I looked in my pocket, and I had seven bucks. Wow. Seven bucks to my name,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview. After that realization, he was approached to join WWE as a wrestler. From there, it’s history.
Did You Know These 13 Celebrities Were Jehovah's Witnesses?
Marques Houston recently sharing the news of his baptism to complete his conversion to the Jehovah's Witness faith surprised a few of his fans and got the Internet buzzing about celebrities and religion. As it turns out, Marques isn't the only Black celebrity who is currently or has previously been involved with the Jehova's Witness faith. Here's a look at 13 familiar faces who were either raised or later converted to the religion. Some of these may surprise you!
Songstress Jill Scott was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith but has stated in recent years that she no longer practices the religion.
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02
The Wayans Family
One of two family units on our list, the Wayans were also raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith.
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03
Terrence Howard
“Empire” star Terrence Howard has expressed interest in joining the Jehovah’s Witness faith and his current wife is also raising their children in the faith.
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04
Notorious B.I.G.
Rapper The Notorious B.I.G., aka Christopher Wallace, was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith by his mother Voletta Wallace, who is still active in the religion today.
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05
Sherri Shepherd
Actress and television host Sherri Shepherd was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness but no longer practices the faith.
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06
Serena Williams
Tennis champion Serena Williams was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith and continues to practice many of her beliefs stemming from the religion today.
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07
The Jackson family
The Jackson family was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith, but several of the family members, including sister Janet, no longer practice the religion.
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08
Marc John Jeffries
Marc John Jefferies, who you’ll recognize from films like “Losing Isaiah,” “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” and “Notorious,” was raised in the Jehova’s Witness faith as a child.
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09
Venus Williams
Like sister Serena, Venus was also raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith by their parents.
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10
Naomi Campbell
Supermodel Naomi Campbell was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness but no longer practices the faith.
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11
Marques Houston
R&B singer and actor Marques Houston just recently completed his conversion into the Jehovah’s Witness faith and has been actively celebrating his involvement with the religion on social media.
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12
Ja Rule
Rapper Ja Rule was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness faith but later left the religion after his mother was disfellowshipped.
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13
Prince
Prince was a practicing Jehovah’s Witness for years after converting to the religion in 2003.
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