Gabourey Sidibe has admitted that she never dreamed of being an actress and believes that she 'owes it to herself' to make the most of it.
The twenty six year old makes her acting debut in the gritty drama Precious, an adaptation of the novel Push by Sapphire.
But the role could have passed her by if it hadn't been the encouragement she got from her family to go and audition.
In an interview with Metro the actress said: "Honestly, I had no intention of being an actress. I wouldn't even dare to dream.
"When you consider the media and the kind of people they're interested in, they don't generally look like me.
"I heard about the audition but I didn't even think it was worth considering it."
"But my mother helped persuade me and my friend, who is the assistant director in my local theatre, called me when they were casting.
"He said they were looking for a very specific girl, that I look like. I never thought I'd get it, though, and after the audition I went straight back to work.
"I have been given such an opportunity with this - it's fallen in my lap and I have to make the most of it. I owe it to myself."
And it has all paid off for Sidibe who has found herself nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award for her performance.
Despite missing out on both occasions to Sandra Bullock she is highly likely to feature amongst the Oscar nominations which are announced next week.
Precious is released 29th January.
Tagged in Gabourey Sidibe