Ever think it’s too late or too hard to chase your dreams? These celebrities prove otherwise. Starting from next to nothing, they climbed their way to extraordinary success. Their stories aren’t just inspiring—they’re reminders that with enough heart and hustle, anything is possible. Ready to feel motivated? Let’s begin!
Demi Moore
If you respect the balance, there are no doubts you’ll achieve success in life. In her 40 years in the industry, Demi Moore won Best Female Actor for The Substance for the first time.
Her journey to become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable names today was never easy. She wasn’t born into fame or fortune. In fact, Both Demi’s mother and stepfather battled alcohol addiction.
Demi was left essentially on her own. At 16, she left high school and moved to Los Angeles to try a few modeling gigs. From there, she transitioned to acting, and her life changed!
Shania Twain
Ever belted out the lyrics to “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” at the top of your lungs? You’ve already felt the magic of Shania Twain!
But before becoming the “Queen of Country Pop,” she lived in poverty and struggle. Sometimes, going without food, and her mother would skip meals to ensure the kids had enough to eat. We’re shocked!
In 1987, tragedy struck when her parents were killed in a car accident. At just 22 years old, Shania became the primary caregiver for her younger siblings. Shania, you deserve a big hug from us!
Kelly Clarkson
You want to end your career as a musician and a singer? Let Kelly Clarkson cover your songs, and you’ll be forgotten into oblivion. We’re neither kidding nor exaggerating!
Kelly’s life wasn’t always about sold-out concerts, chart-topping hits, and a cozy spot on the Hollywood A-list. After her parents divorced when she was six, her mother worked but struggled to make ends meet.
Eventually, Kelly had to work odd jobs, including waitressing and being a movie theater usher, to pay the bills. Her apartment was burned down, too! But she rose above the ashes as an American Idol!
Snoop Dogg
When you think of Snoop Dogg today, you probably picture his smooth voice, his signature laid-back swagger, and his undeniable influence on music and culture. But life wasn’t easy for young Snoop!
Before fame, he found himself caught in the web of gang culture and drug dealing, not because he wanted to but because opportunities felt so limited in the environment he grew up in.
Despite that, music was always there. As a kid, he loved singing and playing the piano in church. Later, he discovered his talent in rapping. Who would’ve thought that was the start of something good?
Nicki Minaj
And this woman, just like her song Starships, she’s meant to fly! Nicki always knew she was destined for greatness. She dreamed big, even when her circumstances tried to keep her small.
She wasn’t always the queen of rap. She’s been open about her struggles growing up in a home with a father battling addiction and was very abusive of her.
At one point, her father even attempted to burn down their home. Imagine that? It’s a level of chaos no child should have to endure, yet Nicki used those hardships as fuel for her future.
Mark Wahlberg
You can turn your life around no matter how tough things get, and Mark Wahlberg has proved that! Today, he’s a blockbuster actor and producer with a net worth estimated at a jaw-dropping $400 million.
But his beginnings? Let’s just say they were far from glamorous. When he was sixteen years old, he found himself in serious trouble with the law, serving 45 days in prison for assault! (Forty-five!)
He dropped out of school and got caught up in a life of crime, drugs, and violence. For many people, that might have been the end of the road—but not for Mark!
Mila Kunis
Everyone probably knows Mila as the talented actress behind roles in That ’70s Show, Black Swan, or as the voice of Meg on Family Guy, but have you heard about her journey before fame happened?
Born in Ukraine, Mila was just seven years old when her parents decided to move to the United States for a better life, arriving in Los Angeles with just $250 in their pockets!
$250 to build an entirely new life in a completely foreign country? It’s amazing to hear her family survived that, especially Mila, who could not speak a single word of English when she got to America.
Dolly Parton
“This goes out to women working hard nine to five!” My favorite lyrics from one of Dolly’s songs. Little did I know, she, herself, had to work so hard for her to reach the star.
Before becoming an icon, money was so tight that Dolly often jokes about being “dirt poor,” adding humor to memories of using corn cobs as toys and patching up old clothes for hand-me-downs.
But what her family lacked in money, they made up for in love, faith, and music. Dolly’s voice became her ticket out of poverty. Aside from that, she wanted to write songs, too!
J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling’s journey feels like it’s been plucked straight out of a fairy tale—complete with moments of heartbreak, determination, and an ending that inspires millions. Don’t forget rejections, too!
She was a single mom who found herself in a precarious financial situation. At one point, she described her situation as being “as poor as it’s possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless.”
But she had always loved writing! She wrote her manuscripts in cafés while her daughter napped. When she finally completed the first Harry Potter book, she was rejected by 12 publishers! (Wrong move, publishers!)
Eminem
An underdog who beat the odds! You wanna hear thoughts and tirades in supersonic speed? This guy will not let you down, buddy! Mess with him, and he’s gonna shoot you with… words.
Every strong person has a backstory, and boy; you gotta hear Eminem’s! His father abandoned their family when he was just an infant, and her mom had to raise him alone. (Moms, we love you.)
Struggling to make ends meet, they frequently moved between low-income neighborhoods, often living in trailers and rundown houses. He was an easy target for bullying, the star mentioned. But now? Bully him if you dare!
Leonardo DiCaprio
Maybe Leonardo was the real Jack Dawson after all? Like Jack, Leo didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth. Yep, he didn’t have the world at his feet!
Leo described his childhood as “living in the poorest neighborhoods,” where drugs and violence were a daily reality. His mom had to raise him alone after her parents divorced when he was just… a baby.
Poor young Leo. You thought you could only see those extreme conditions in movies? It’s an unfortunate reality that even actors have a fair share of violence in their lives, not just the role they play.
Stephen King
Oh, it’s impossible not to know the great Stephen King. The master of horror, the man behind classics like Carrie, The Shining, and IT. But before he was a literary superstar, this man struggled.
Things were rough for Stephen. After graduating with a degree in English, did you know that he struggled to find steady teaching work and took several jobs to support his growing family?
He was a janitor, gas station attendant, and laundry worker. But he didn’t bury his dream of becoming a writer. He continued writing in his spare time, and you know what happened next!
Jim Carrey
One of my favorite actors since The Truman Show and A Series of Unfortunate Events! He is not only known for his insane acting range but also for his real-life stories of unfortunate events.
Jim, the man who would go on to become one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, once called a van parked outside a relative’s house “home.” Yep, he lived in a van for a time!
He took jobs as a janitor and factory worker just to keep food on the table. By age 15, comedy became his escape, but… those early performances didn’t always go well. Yet, he kept performing!
Camila Alves
Though everyone might have known her as the wife of the actor Matthew McConaughey, Camila has an inspiring story to tell that would make us appreciate her more as a woman and an individual.
Being Brazilian, the fifteen-year-old Alves struggled when she moved to America because she couldn’t speak English. To survive, she worked as a house cleaner and waitress while teaching herself English! (Whoa, she’s self-taught!)
Imagine being a teenager in a new country, juggling work and language barriers, and still constantly figuring out what to do. Some would’ve given up, but she kept going! Look how things turned out for her!
Arnold Schwarzenegger
A name synonymous with success! Whether it’s bodybuilding, Hollywood, or politics, he’s crushed it in every arena. But can you see Arnold as someone who didn’t have much in life?
Apparently, that is the truth of his past. He lived in a tiny house with no running water or electricity, and he often shared a room with his brother.
His father was tough and often favored his brother, leaving him feeling like an outsider in his home. So, our boy found solace in developing his sense of ambition. It was worth it!
Halle Berry
Moving from one place to another could mean luck but devastation to some. Like many aspiring stars who moved to New York City to chase their acting dreams, Halle hit major trials, too!
Could you believe it, she once ran out of money entirely and found herself living in a homeless shelter? Far from the red carpets and designer gowns we associate with her today!
She faced rejection after rejection but kept auditioning anyway until her persistence paid off. Halle’s net worth is estimated at around $90 million today! She did a perfect bounce back!
Jay-Z
“I’m not a businessman; I’m a business, man.” According to Forbes, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter is the first rapper to enter the billionaire’s club! We’re mind-blown!
But hold on, before he wrote rhymes in his notebook, did you know Jay-Z turned to the streets, dabbling in the drug trade as a teenager in order for his family to survive?
Wild, isn’t it? But he doesn’t do that anymore, of course. He fought for his success in the music industry and found an escape from the chaos around him!
Sarah Jessica Parker
When you think of Sarah Jessica Parker, chances are you remember her as the chic and stylish Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. (Classic movie, still loved by many until now.)
Up for some intrigue? Let’s forget designer shoes and Cosmopolitans for a bit and talk about SJP’s story of humility and hardships. Yes, she experienced being poor, too! (High five, Sarah.)
Growing up, she recalls times when electricity and food were luxuries her family couldn’t always afford. Those are basic necessities! Having no access to them? UNIMAGINABLE! Is the world really worth living?
Mike Tyson
Admittingly, we’re no boxing enthusiasts, but we’d be lying if we said, “No, we don’t know Mike Tyson!” because how could we forget this dude if he has the coolest face tattoo in Hollywood?
Of course, not only that… he’s one of the greatest boxers of all time. So, what were the struggles of a young Mike? His childhood was chaotic. Violence was everywhere, and he was homeless.
By the time he was a teenager, Tyson had already been arrested multiple times for petty crimes and street fights! To make matters worse, his mother passed away when he was just 16!
Celine Dion
We knew your story, and we saw what you had gone through, Celine! You’re the living proof of your own lyrics, “Don’t surrender ‘cause you can win!” Yeah, that’s the way it is!
Some people do not know by now that Celine lived in extreme poverty in the past. She lived in a tiny home where resources were stretched thin, and everyone chipped in to make ends meet.
And… she’s the youngest among her siblings. Guess how many they were? Fourteen! We’re being for real, folks! The Dion family is kinda… packed if you think about it.
Oprah Winfrey
Seriously, you can’t write rags-to-riches stories in Hollywood without including the one and only Oprah Winfrey! (That’s why she’s on our list right now; the world deserves to know her story.)
Oprah grew up wearing potato sacks as dresses because her family couldn’t afford proper clothing. She had to move frequently, living with her grandmother, mother, and later her father. Things got worse.
As if financial struggles weren’t enough, Oprah endured abuse and trauma during her childhood, making her journey even more difficult. These experiences could have broken anyone, not Oprah! She’s not letting them pull her down.
Tom Cruise
He surely has taken our breaths away when we first saw him on our televisions and on the big screen! Tom Cruise has always been the man and, of course, every girl’s dream boy!
But like many celebrities here, Tom faced a rough childhood. His family didn’t have much money, and it got worse when his parents divorced. Tom, his sisters, and his mother were left alone.
On top of financial struggles, Tom faced personal challenges. He was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child. What’s dyslexia if you have dreams? Tom didn’t let that destroy his fuel for life!
Hilary Swank
The actress I will never forget because of her roles in P.S. I Love You and Freedom Writers! You see real talent when Hilary is on the screen. She knows what emotions are all about!
Hilary is known for immersing herself in her characters, and it’s not surprising how empathic of an actress she is because… this gal didn’t quite have an easy life in reality, too.
Hilary knew what it meant to go without. The divorce of her parents made the situation worse! Yep, to the point that she had to live with her mom out of their car! Infuriating, I know!
Viola Davis
When your passion and drive are bigger than your fears, you just dive. It’s one of the most iconic sentences we’ve heard from Viola, and honestly, it became our living mantra!
Davis has openly shared living in a dilapidated apartment infested with rats. If you hate rats, that would equate to living in hell! They also struggled with basic necessities like food, heating, and running water.
In school, Davis faced racial discrimination. Being one of the few Black children in her predominantly white school, she experienced bullying and exclusion. And you wonder why she spoke openly about racism? It’s a no-brainer!
Leighton Meester
Many people still don’t know by now that Meester’s real-life story is far from the glitzy world her iconic character, Blair Waldorf, inhabited. For the new Gossip Girls fans, we’re glad to tell the story.
Leighton’s start in life was downright unconventional: she was born while her mother was serving time in federal prison for drug trafficking. (Some of her co-stars knew this and still… make fun of it. Sickening.)
Then, she spent her early months being cared for by her grandmother until her mother completed her sentence. Leighton clarified that after her mother’s release, they worked hard to provide her with a better life.
Ed Sheeran
Success as a musician doesn’t start when you first strum your guitar. It took Ed a lot of plucking and strumming before we knew him as the genius behind Thinking Out Loud.
Sheeran grew up in a creative household, but they were not wealthy. He had a speech impediment, specifically a stutter, which made him shy and socially awkward. (But Ed, you’re still cute, though.)
To survive, he played as many gigs as possible, often performing multiple shows daily. He slept on friends’ couches, in Tube stations, or even outdoors just to keep things going!
Selena Gomez
She may not be active lately, but still, everyone knows who Selena Gomez is. One of the most recognizable names in pop culture alongside Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber!
But behind those successes, there’s an interesting story you might wanna know about. Selena’s mother, Mandy Teefey, was just 16 years old when Selena was born. (A teenage mom with a fighter spirit.)
Mandy worked multiple jobs, such as waitressing and doing theater work, to provide for Selena. In interviews, Selena has shared memories of her mother skipping meals to ensure she could eat! A mother’s unconditional love.
Justin Bieber
Since we’ve mentioned Justin Bieber in the previous item, we think now is the perfect time to discuss his rags-to-riches story! Some call it luck; we call it talent and hard work.
Justin is proudly raised by a single mom. (Unsung heroes of the world, if you ask us!) His mother, Pattie, juggled multiple low-paying jobs to make ends meet, and the two often faced financial struggles.
Until… fame happened. Pattie loves to record and upload young Justin’s auditions on YouTube, which were intended for friends and family to watch. However, they quickly gained traction, attracting viewers from around the world!
Mariah Carey
Ah, who doesn’t feel giddy when you hear Mariah on the radio singing Always Be My Baby? Even singles will start to imagine their crushes when they hear her runs and riffs!
But such a beautiful voice also tells a story of a rough road. Mariah was just three years old when her parents divorced, and her mom had to raise her alone.
Mariah’s mom worked multiple jobs to support her children, often leaving Mariah to fend for herself. Mariah has recalled nights when the family went without food or lived in neighborhoods where they faced overt racism.
Cardi B
If you’re like us who’s wondering, “What’s Cardi B’s real name?” then we’d like to start with it. Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar. We’re not casting spells. That’s her real name. (We’re through with J.K. Rowling!)
Cardi often recalls her upbringing as difficult, marked by financial struggles. She worked as a cashier at a supermarket, experienced getting fired, and began dancing at a strip club to support herself.
She also faced bullying during her school years, particularly about her appearance and background, which contributed to her tough exterior and outspoken personality. Now, you might not want to mess with Cardi!
Steve Harvey
You know him as the wackiest and most charismatic host of Family Feud, but we’ve known him as the Miss Universe 2015 host who took responsibility for mistakenly crowning the beauty queens. That was peak accountability!
Steve had always been a hard worker. After leaving college, he worked several blue-collar jobs, including as a boxer, carpet cleaner, autoworker, and insurance salesman. He was constantly seeking for his purpose.
Just like Ed Sheeran, Steve also battled a severe stutter when he was a kid, which made him the target of bullying and ridicule. Yet, thanks to stand-up comedy, he was able to improve himself from that!
Sylvester Stallone
Want some action-packed weekends with your cool dad that he couldn’t resist? Bring them your secret weapon: Sylvester Stallone’s movies! It’s Rambo Marathon time! Are you bringing any weapons?
Sylvester faced early challenges when he was just… an infant. Complications during his birth caused partial paralysis on the left side of his face, leaving him with slurred speech and a drooping eyelid and lip.
He faced rejection due to his unconventional looks, slurred speech, and muscular build. At one point, Stallone was so broke that he was evicted from his apartment and forced to live in a bus station!
LeBron James
You can’t be afraid to fail. It’s the only way you succeed. LeBron, thank you for making us realize that our fear of failure will hinder us in our journey of achieving true success.
LeBron grew up without a father figure, leaving him raised all alone by his young mother. She was just sixteen back then and faced numerous hardships, including finding consistent work and housing.
Without stable financial support from his father, they struggled to keep a roof over their heads, and the two lived in as many as a dozen different apartments. Now, LeBron is the richest NBA Player!
Cristiano Ronaldo
Want to hear inspiring stories in sports history? Sure, we’ll give you Cristiano Ronaldo. His journey from a poor boy in Madeira to a football legend proves that you can rewrite your destiny!
His family was far from wealthy. His father was a gardener, and his mother was a cook. Despite them working hard, basic necessities were often difficult to afford because they had to raise four kids.
Such instabilities didn’t faze Ronaldo. Even without shoes because they probably can’t afford them yet, he spent hours playing barefoot in the streets with friends, using makeshift balls when real ones weren’t available!
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
If we ask you what sport Dwayne liked when he was young, what would be your answer? Wrestling? Boxing? Well, he’s like Cristiano. Dwayne loved football, too! ‘Twas his escape from his troubled life.
At 14, his family was evicted from their apartment because they couldn’t afford the rent, and Dwayne still vividly remembers his mother crying as they were forced to leave.
He got himself into trouble, hung out with the wrong crowd, and was even arrested multiple times for petty crimes! But at that moment, he realized he needed to improve.
Samuel L. Jackson
With his commanding voice, unforgettable presence, and roles in blockbuster hits like Pulp Fiction and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who wouldn’t know this man? Gen Zs might say no, but are you for real?
Before he became one of the most bankable actors in history, Samuel faced challenges that could have derailed his dreams. He struggled with a speech impediment as a child, which made him shy and self-conscious.
He was raised by his mother and grandparents after his father abandoned the family. Oh, so far, we’ve written several artists now that were abandoned by their fathers. Pay child support, dads! Come on!
Chris Pratt
From struggling to have a decent meal to starring in blockbuster franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, Pratt’s rise is a true testament to persistence and belief in oneself.
The Pratt family often faced financial difficulties. Chris would recall that sometimes they relied on food stamps and government assistance to get by. Also, he didn’t have a clear plan for the future.
As random as it is, he ended up in Maui, Hawaii, living out of a van and working as a waiter at a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant. He called that as oddly happy times.
Joaquin Phoenix
I’ve seen him as Arthur Fleck in Joker and Theodore Twombly in Her. This man’s eyes can really act. It’s like they have seen the most traumatic and heartbreaking things in the world.
Joaquin’s early life sounds more like the plot of a movie than reality if you ask us. In a 2014 interview with Playboy, Joaquin said they grew up living a Spartan lifestyle.
They were constantly moving from place to place as part of a religious cult called the Children of God. Joaquin has described that period as one filled with uncertainty. (Good news: they left that cult.)
Trevor Noah
If Bruno Mars was a comedian, he would’ve been Trevor Noah. I don’t know; I just see the resemblance. Do you see it? Or is this an eye problem? Tell us honestly!
Trevor was born in one of the most oppressive periods in the South African history. At the time, apartheid laws strictly segregated South African society along racial lines, and interracial relationships were illegal.
Trevor’s birth was, quite literally, a crime. Yes, his father was White! To keep the relationship hidden, his mother often pretended she didn’t know his father in public. It went like that for years.
Manny Pacquiao
It would be unfair not to include this legend right here because if we’re gonna talk about extreme poverty, Manny knew how it felt to be poor and hungry.
Manny was just a young boy when his parents separated due to conflict. He left school young and sold bread and flowers on the streets to help his mom raise the family.
By the age of 14, Pacquiao had left his hometown and moved to Manila in search of better opportunities. He lived on the streets, often sleeping in makeshift shelters or even on cardboard boxes.
Michael Caine
Let’s turn back to the time of World War II when Michael Caine was just someone who lived for survival. There were no trailer parks, vans, and cars being called home here.
Michael witnessed the horrors of the war, often escaping bombings and violence whenever he could. The escaping only ended when he was drafted to serve in the British Army. He needed to face them.
His time in the army during the Korean War was another formative experience, later exposing him to more danger and hardships. Luckily, he survived and was able to pursue his acting dream.
Jamie Foxx
Jamie’s performance in Ray made me respect his acting skills and his singing talent. He was the perfect actor to play the legendary Ray Charles; it’s like seeing him again alive!
Jamie, just like Ray, had a very tough life. Shortly after his birth, his parents separated, and his mother left him in the care of his adoptive parents. The Talleys.
“You filled me up with everything that I needed to be a successful young man,” said Jamie, honoring Esther Talley. Though they had little money, they ensured he was loved and cared for.
Rihanna
A woman whose beauty and success were admired by so many. She had become one of today’s world’s most iconic singers, fashion moguls, and billionaires. So, what was she like before?
She’s the daughter of a warehouse supervisor and an accountant. Family wise? They were so close, but everything changed when her father suffered from alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction. Eventually, her parents divorced.
When she was a kid, Rihanna was dealing with unbearable headaches and went through a bunch of CT scans. She said, “Doctors even thought it might be a tumor because the pain was that bad.”
Britney Spears
The Spears family was not entirely impoverished, but the star admitted that they had struggled financially before her fame started. With such a bright personality, you wouldn’t think she grew up in a dysfunctional home.
She lived her life full of traumatic experiences because of her abusive and alcoholic father. Imagine how scared little Britney is towards her own father. Sometimes, he would call her fat. Sighs.
We still remember Britney now as a small-town girl with big dreams and humble beginnings. She has faced some of the harshest trials in the public eye, but she’s never given up on herself.
Queen Latifah
I think we can collectively agree that we all fell in love with Queen Latifah in Chicago. If you haven’t seen it yet, you better hurry and check it out after reading this article. Winks.
She’s literally a queen in her own rights. She conquered the music industry, Hollywood, and even the business world! But, of course, that doesn’t make her immune to life’s hurdles.
As a teenager growing up in a working-class, she admitted to doing things she wasn’t proud of, experimenting with stuff that could’ve put her right down into the gutter if she had continued doing them.