8 Celebrities Who Never Gave Up Despite Being Told They Would Never Succeed

Everyone is prone to experiencing failure and discouragement, and celebrities are no exception. Some had to face what other people said, and others had to face their own insecurities and challenges before achieving their goals. As a matter of fact, it is what shaped them into the stars they became today.

We at Bright Side are proud of the people who were able to overcome the challenges life threw at them before achieving their goals. And today we pay tribute to some of our favorite celebrities.

1. Jennifer Lopez

It’s hard to believe that our superstar suffered from self-doubt at the beginning of her career, but she admitted that she was the subject of mockery. She felt that she was considered a joke. “I just had really low self-esteem,” Lopez said. “I really believed a lot of what they said, which is that I wasn’t any good — that I wasn’t a good singer, I wasn’t a good actress, I wasn’t a good dancer.”

When receiving her golden popcorn trophy, Jennifer recalled all the obstacles she had to face in the past. “I want to thank all the people who gave me this life. I want to thank the people who gave me joy, and the ones who broke my heart.”

2. Selena Gomez

Selena was very successful when working with Disney, she made a name for herself there and everyone liked her then. However, she explained that she was not feeling encouraged to go for adult acting roles: “I felt like it was very difficult for people to take me seriously,”

She was able to do the transition from Disney stardom to other projects, but barely. “I have slowly pushed through that, and I’m really glad, but it was very frustrating. I felt like a joke, you know?” We know Selena is a fighter and the challenges she’s faced during her life are what made her who she is today.

3. Marilyn Monroe

The blond beauty had a very difficult childhood, from an unstable family with mental problems to spending her childhood in different foster homes. Thanks to a photographer, she was able to get her big break in Hollywood.

Marilyn, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, quickly became the most glamorous actress of her time. She achieved great things both as a model and as an actress, despite her traumas and the media who tried to break her down.

4. Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford was also discouraged at the beginning of his career. He recalls the words of an agent he met back then: “There was a guy that was in charge of what they call the new talent program and he called me into his office and he said, ’Sit down kid. I saw the rushes from yesterday. You’re never going to make it in the business. Just forget about it.’”

It takes a great amount of perseverance, courage, and strength to fight those words. Ford proved him wrong and became a successful actor, only to meet that agent one day and get an apology 15 years later.

5. Kate Winslet

Titanic introduced the world to one of the best actresses of all time, she made heads turn with her lovely look and incredible talent. However, things were not easy for her, especially at the beginning of her career.

Kate was mocked because of her appearance. She said that she was often passed over for leading roles in plays because of her looks. The negativity she was getting was deeply upsetting, but she overcame all that nonsense and became very successful.

6. Oprah Winfrey

Believe it or not, Oprah was told by a producer that she was “unfit for television news.” She was fired from her job as a co-anchor on Baltimore’s WJZ-TV after 7 and a half months. It must’ve been a painful experience for her at that time.

However, it sure helped her grow and be the best version of herself, the woman we all watched and fell in love with. “I had no idea what I was in for or that this was going to be the greatest growing period of my adult life. It shook me to my very core.”

7. Shakira

Shakira always wanted to be a singer, and she decided to follow that path from an early age. So when she was about 7 years old, she asked to join the choir in school only to be rejected and told by her teacher that she sounded like a “goat.”

In addition to that, her first audition was a disaster in which the producer then told her that she would never succeed. Look at her now, she overcame all that nonsense and blessed the whole world with her extraordinary voice and dance moves.

8. Lady Gaga

One of the biggest and most famous pop stars on the planet was told by the boss of her record label that she didn’t have the potential to be famous! In fact, they dropped her before she even released one song. Her music career has blossomed ever since but it takes great courage and strength to overcome words like that.

She proved him wrong and released best-selling albums like The Fame Monster and Born This Way. According to sources, and after he witnessed her success, he said that this is easily one of the biggest mistakes he’s ever made!

Which statement on this list was the most shocking for you? We’d love to know in the comments!