Sidibe: 'I didn't dare dream of acting'

Gabourey Sidibe has said that she never thought she could be an actress.

The star of Lee Daniels's Precious told Metro that her family had to convince her to audition for the title role.

Sidibe 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."

She added: "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."