This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare

In This Is Just My Face, actress Gabourey Sidibe shares her journey from growing up in New York City to her breakthrough role in the film Precious and her subsequent career in Hollywood. The memoir covers her childhood between Brooklyn and Harlem, her family dynamics, and her early jobs as a phone sex operator. The book recounts Sidibe's experiences with depression, anxiety, and body image as she navigated both personal life and the entertainment industry. She details her audition process for Precious, her sudden rise to fame, and the realities of being a plus-size Black actress in Hollywood. Sidibe writes with candor about dating, fashion, family relationships, and her evolving sense of self-worth. Her stories span from childhood through her years on television shows like Empire and American Horror Story. The memoir examines themes of authenticity, self-acceptance, and resilience in the face of societal expectations and industry standards. Through her experiences, Sidibe presents a raw perspective on fame, identity, and the path to finding one's voice.

Readers describe the book as honest, funny, and conversational - like having a chat with a friend. Many appreciate Sidibe's candid discussion of mental health, body image, and her path to fame. Readers liked: - Raw personal stories without self-pity - Behind-the-scenes look at her "Precious" casting - Humorous takes on dating and family dynamics - Discussion of anxiety and depression Common criticisms: - Jumps between time periods can be confusing - Some chapters feel disconnected - A few readers wanted more depth on certain topics Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,000+ ratings) "Her voice comes through exactly as you'd expect - sassy, unfiltered and real," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states: "The audio version adds another dimension as Sidibe's personality shines through her narration."

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🌟 Gabourey Sidibe wrote much of her memoir on her iPhone while filming the TV series Empire 📝 Before her breakthrough role in Precious, Sidibe worked as a phone sex operator to help support her family 🎭 The book's title comes from Sidibe's experience of constantly having to explain her appearance and demeanor to others throughout her life 🎬 Despite having no prior acting experience, Sidibe beat out 400 other actresses to land the lead role in Precious (2009) after just one audition 🌍 The memoir addresses her Senegalese father's polygamy and how it affected her family dynamics, offering a unique perspective on cultural differences and family structures