If you’re looking for a mood booster right now, we’ve got “sunshine personified” right here for you -Gabourey Sidibe. While chatting withAntebellumdirectorsGerard BushandChristopher Renzon The Witching Hour, they noted that Sidibe has a beauty, soul, and spirit that radiates out to everyone around her. It’s something you may feel in much of her work, onher Instagram page, and now, having had the pleasure of chatting with Sidibe for 40 minutes about her journey in Hollywood, I’m lucky enough to say I felt it firsthand.
When asked where that sunny disposition comes from, she first noted, “I’m just really tired of having a shitty attitude. When negativity hits, when I’m drowning in it, I get so tired that I just pop out of it, whichever way I need to.” In addition to just not having any time to waste on negativity, Sidibe also highlighted the value of understanding her role in the world:
“I understand my role in this universe. I understand my role in my family, my role in my relationships, my role on any set, in any script. I understand why I’m here, and I just attempt to live through that because that feels better than not knowing my purpose. That feels better than thinking I suck. That feels better than hating myself. It simply feels better.”
But on top of that, Sidibe also had a pretty powerful force nudging her in this direction from the very beginning, her mom:
“My mom was a singer for the bulk of her life and mine, and my mom used to tell people that she was in the ‘joy business.’ I was just reminded of that the other day. I remember she used to say it and I used to be like, ‘Uh, okay mom,’ because I’m a shitty teenager. But remembering that that’s what my mom says about her gift and her talent and her voice, I’m reminded, ‘Oh, that’s me too. That’s what I do. That’s what I am. I’m in the joy business.’ And honestly, the person who benefits from whatever ball of sunshine or light or joy I exude, is me. If it didn’t do anything for me, I wouldn’t do it.”
Check out Sidibe’s full episode of Collider Ladies Night to hear more about her experience carving her path in the world her way. She also digs into what happened post-Oscar nomination, her journey withAmerican Horror Story, her ambitions as a director, what she thought ofAntebellumthe first time she saw the film in full, and so much more! you’re able to hear about it all in video form at the top of this article or, if you’d prefer, we’ve also got the conversation in podcast form for you below.
