'Precious' star Gabby Sidibe anything but pretentious
Harlem actress stays true to herself as she rises to stardom.
The Associated Press calls her "phenomenal." The New York Times reckons she was "extraordinarily poised." The Wall Street Journal says she doesn't play her role, "she invades and conquers it with concentrated energy and blithe humor."
And to think that, not too long ago, her biggest acting experience was playing Glinda the Good Witch in a college production of "The Wiz."
Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe, 26, was an unknown actress from Harlem when she went to a casting call for the lead role in "Precious," which opens Friday.
Now there's a lot of talk about year-end awards for her performance as an obese, illiterate teenage mother trying to escape a lifetime of abuse in 1987 Brooklyn. And she shares the screen with big names, such as Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz and Paula Patton. Meanwhile, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry are among the film's producers.
On the phone, though, Sidibe is remarkably unpretentious, right from the start. You'll see:
It must have been tough playing such a wrenching role. How were you able to do it?
It really wasn't a challenge, not particularly. I'm not a very serious person. It was more like playing around. ... It seems unfair to call it easy, but it's not super difficult; it's not something that's super foreign. I've known girls like this character. I've known people like most of the people in this movie.
Is it true that some people have assumed that you're exactly like your character?
It's a huge compliment, but it's really funny, too. My favorite is when people ask me whether or not my kids are OK. I'm like, "Really?" It's funny when people assume it's a documentary - like, Mariah Carey's in a documentary about someone else? Really?
Are you hearing some talk about award shows coming up?
It seems a little weird and a little premature. But it's happening.
You've won some praise for an interview where you made the simple statement: "I like the way I look." Tell us about that.
That was a bit out of context. I like myself, more than anything. It's got nothing to do with the way I look.
Yet some are now calling you a role model.
The thing about a role model is, it's a little sketchy. I am a role model, but I'm a role model for my younger sisters and my family. I would be hard-pressed to live my life for people I don't know. If anyone else sees me and is inspired by my life in any way, then I'm proud of that. But for the most part I can only live my life for my family.
Has there been pressure to lose weight for your acting career?
It hasn't happened yet, but I imagine at some point it will.
What's it like working with all those famous people?
Everyone's really excited and kind of look at me like I'm the superstar, just 'cause I'm in association with those people.
When are you going to get a big head?
I don't know. It seems like it would be hard to fit through doors.
matt.soergel@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4082