Many celebrities have become increasingly open about their mental health and the toll that being in the spotlight has taken on them. For actor Gabourey Sidibe, staying positive and fighting back the darker thoughts has sometimes been a struggle. The star has repeatedly faced criticism and media scrutiny of her body. What’s worse, even some of her favorite fellow stars have told her that she should leave Hollywood because she didn’t have the look to fit into the narrow requirements of the industry. 

Gabourey Sidibe has had a successful film and TV career

Sidibe’s path to fame has not been an easy one. She was a breakout star in the 2009 drama Precious, taking on the film’s titular role and earning accolades for portraying such an emotional character with heart and talent. At the same time, the film — which co-starred Mo’Nique and Mariah Carey — typecast Sidibe. The character’s body size was a significant part of the plot, and the film’s dark storyline created a narrative of tragedy and pity that followed Sidibe and made it challenging to land roles with a wider range.