2009 was a magical year for actress Gabourey Sidibe. Not only did her feature film debut in “Precious” get released across the world, but the young actress would go on to land nominations for Best Actress from the Independent Spirit Awards, the Golden Globes, and yes, even the Oscars. And though the last decade has been steady for Sidibe, as she’s appeared in a number of films and TV series, the actress recently discussed how she understands why the industry didn’t welcome her nearly as much as they did with someone like Anna Kendrick.
Speaking to Collider, Sidibe, who appears in the recently released thriller, “Antebellum,” discussed what her career has been like since her Oscar nomination in 2010 for “Precious.” And though she’s starred in films such as “Tower Heist” and “Grimsby,” as well as series such as “American Horror Story,” the actress does admit there are “a few factors” that have prevented her from getting the massive post-Oscars career boost, and she really doesn’t want to be called “lucky.”
“I’ve heard the idea that I’m just lucky before. I’ve heard that. I’m an extremely unlucky person, actually. I’m very, very unlucky in a lot of ways. I work really, really hard,” said the actress. “And no, the Hollywood seas didn’t part for me in the same way that it might have for maybe Anna Kendrick who was nominated for the first time that year as well, who then went on to star in films and television and the whole thing. The seas did not part that same way for me and I assume that there are a few factors that made that so, but I am still working 10 years later. I’m still working 12 years after having filmed it.”
Sidibe continued, “I have agency. I am comfortable with who I am. I know my voice. I know what I want to say to the world. I know what I want to give to the world and what I want to give to myself. I know my artistry. And so, you know, starring in things or being on the covers of magazines, all of these things that say that I’ve ‘made it,’ everything that solidifies my position on the A-list, whatever that means, doesn’t actually mean anything to my self-worth and my sense of artistry.”
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While she wowed people on the big screen in “Precious,” her career has really blossomed on TV in recent years thanks to her multiple appearances in the aforementioned “American Horror Story” anthology. She has also starred in five seasons of the Fox hit drama series, “Empire.”
You can see Sidibe, along with her co-star Janelle Monae, in the new Blumhouse thriller, “Antebellum,” which is on Premium VOD right now.