By: Cadence Wright
We enjoy seeing our favorite celebrities the way they are now but they weren’t always rich and famous. Many of them had to work the same jobs we work until they made it big. Most people don’t like to work regular jobs because they don’t pay a lot of money but everybody has to start somewhere. You will never know how far you can go until you start. Some of the most famous people went through a lot to get where they are.
Some of them used to work at fast food restaurants. They probably used to rake the yards and mow lawns for money. Some of them were probably poor and their parents may have had to work two jobs to keep their lights on and provide food and clothes for them just like my parents do. Many of them are now taking care of their own parents and their parents don’t have to struggle anymore.
Jay-Z used to sell drugs to make money. In a few interviews, he said it’s not something he is proud of but it was the only option he had for him and his family to survive. Some drug dealers make thousands of dollars every day selling drugs. I don’t support selling drugs but Jay-Z’s story is a good example that not everybody has had it easy. Jay-Z says it was hard. I guess you can call it that because you have to watch out for the police and not get caught. Jay-Z is the youngest out of four siblings all growing up in a single parent apartment in the projects. Sometimes, they didn’t have food to eat but now he is worth one billion dollars. His wealth did not come from selling drugs. He was able to take his street business skills and form a multi-billion dollar entertainment company.
Beyonce used to sweep floors. Her main client was her mother, Tina Knowles. Her mom used to own a hair salon in Houston and her mom paid her a couple dollars sweeping the hair off the floor. She would always sing while she swept in the hair salon and her mother’s customers would give her tips. At age 9 she started her first group. She loved to dance so her parents put her in dance classes. Her family supported her and everything she did. Now she is worth $355 million dollars. She and her husband, Jay-Z, now have a child and they are the richest couple in Hollywood.
One of the most popular rappers today is Nikki Minaj. Even though she is known for singing and rapping today, it hasn’t always been so glamorous. She used to work at McDonald’s. Yes. Nicki Minaj used to make your hamburgers. People at McDonald’s don’t make that much money. McDonald’s workers make $13 per hour at the most and $7 is the least. Her real name is Onika and she also worked at a Seafood restaurant. She was a waitress. She has won awards and has been featured on many television programs but she had to start like everybody else.
Some stars have also been homeless trying to make it. Tiffany Haddish was actually living out of her car. She had all of her clothes and stuff all packed up in the backseat and she would take baths in public facilities. Tyler Perry used to sleep in his car under the Claiborne Bridge in New Orleans. He had nowhere to go and everybody turned his plays down. Fame is something we pay a lot of attention to but these people have worked hard to get where they are. It makes me want to continue working hard. Maybe one day I will have my own story to tell.
