You call it luck, or you call it hard work and determination, actress Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, like most of the Hollywood celebrities, perhaps needed both when she auditioned for the role of Precious which earned her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead, in addition to nominations for the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actress.

This is what Gabby’s journey to Hollywood looked like.

She was born on May 6, 1983 in Brooklyn, New York, to a mother who was a street performer and a dad who worked as a cab driver.

From very early age, Gabby showed interest in becoming a comedian and drew inspiration from actress Mo’Nique. In fact, Gabby wanted to be just like her, probably never assuming she would get to play alongside her in the future.