By Kam Williams
Special to the AFRO
Gabourey Sidibe stars in the critically-acclaimed film Precious. (Courtesy Photo)
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(November 9, 2009) - Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe was born in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn in 1983 to R&B/gospel singer Alice Tan Ridley and Ibnou Sidibe, a cab driver from Senegal. After her parents separated, Gabby was raised in Harlem by her mother, who supported the family by teaching special education and by singing in the subway.
A graduate of Washington Irving High School, Gabby was pursuing a degree in psychology at Mercy College and working as a telephone company customer service representative when she decided to try out for the title role in the movie Precious. Her audition so wowed director Lee Daniels that he had no hesitation about picking her over the 400 other actresses answering the casting call.
Here, Gabby talks about the film and her critically-acclaimed performance, both of which have Hollywood humming with early Oscar buzz.
Kam Williams: Tell me a little about your background.
Gabourey Sidibe: My dad’s from Senegal, and my mom’s from Georgia. But oddly, her roots trace back to Senegal, too. I was born in Bed-Stuy, and I lived there until right before I turned 8. That’s when we moved to Harlem.
KW: What interested you in auditioning for the role of Precious?
GS: I’m not sure I had a serious interest. To be honest, my mom had told me to go audition for the part. In a weird way, I think I just kind of ended up there. Just the thought that I could be in the film was really, really interesting. I guess that’s part of the reason why I auditioned. But I auditioned with the absolute belief that I wasn’t going to get it.
KW: Lee told me that he had to audition over 400 actresses before he found you, and that the role of Precious was the most challenging one to fill. What do you think sold him on you?
GS: He said that he saw a lot of girls who were just like Precious, and that the difference with me was that I wasn’t anything like her, and that I was obviously acting. He didn’t want to be seen as possibly exploiting a girl similar to Precious, so I think that played a part in his decision, along with my giving a really good audition.
KW: What was it like acting opposite big stars like Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz?
GS: It was amazing! I felt very fortunate to get to work around people that I idolized.
KW: Did they live up to your expectations?
GS: As it turned out, every one of them was so much more awesome than I expected.
KW: And how’d you like being directed by Lee?
GS: Lee is just adorable, cute and so much fun. He’s a disarming genius with a very creative mind.
KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?
GS: No one’s ever asked if I like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
KW: Okay, do you like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?
GS: Yep.
KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?
GS: Earlier today, after reading to grammar school students with Paula Patton and Mariah. As we were leaving, a little girl yelled at me from across the schoolyard, “Gabby, I saw you on ‘Ellen.’ You’re a really good dancer.” I thought it was just the cutest thing how she was so excited. That made me laugh pretty hard, and I’ve been doing impressions of her all day.”
KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?
GS: Addicted by Zane.
KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
GS: I see myself. Usually, I’m really happy with what I see when I look at myself. I look into the mirror and I give myself pep talks and coach myself to make it through the day, which isn’t hard to do. I congratulate myself for making it this far in life and for being the person I want to be.
KW: What is your long-term career goal?
GS: [Laughs] My goal is just to have a career. I hope to be able to do a lot of different types of films; to do a comedy, to play a romantic lead, and to do a lot of other different things.