gabourey sidibe

Lee Daniels began his career in entertainment as a manager representing a talent pool that included several Academy Awards nominees and winners. Monster’s Ball, the first production by Lee Daniels Entertainment, marked Daniels as the first African-American sole producer of an Academy Award winner, earning substantial critical and box office success.

Gabourey Sidibe was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of R&B/Gospel singer Alice Tan Ridley and Ibnou Sidibe, a native of Senegal. When her parents separated, Gabby moved to Harlem with her mother and older brother. A graduate of Washington Irving High School, she was pursuing a degree in psychology at Mercy College and working as a telephone customer service representative when she was cast in Precious.

Claireece Precious Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is 16, overweight, illiterate, abused by her mother (Mo’Nique) and pregnant for the second time by her father. After being expelled from school due to her pregnancy, Precious clings on to hope when she joins Each One Teach One, a school programme for those with learning difficulties. Determined to improve her education and make a better life for herself Precious is helped along by her inspirational teacher Ms. Rain (Paula Patton) and her new circle of friends. Can she escape from her abusive upbringing once and for all?

Winner of Audience Award, Sundance Film Festival, 2009 Grand Jury Prize, Sundance Film festival 2009 Special Jury Prize Performance, for Mo'Nique, Sundance Film Festival 2009 People's Choice Award, Toronto International Film Festival 2009 Official Selection, Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival 2009 Official Selection, Times BFI London Film Festival 2009