What you might not know about the American author
Celebrities like Tom Cruise and Jennifer Lopez, known for their glitz and glamour, may surprise you with their humble beginnings. While some celebs were already wealthy before their fame, there are even more fascinating stories of those who started with nothing.
Curious? Click through the gallery to discover the stars who went from rags to riches.
Jessica Chastain, a talented and beautiful actress, often surprises people with the truth about her upbringing. In a 2022 interview with the Times, she revealed that her background is different from what most people would expect. Despite her success, Chastain's early life was marked by financial hardship and challenges. She grew up in a household with a single mother who got pregnant as a teen, four siblings, and financial instability. Her entry into the world of acting was only possible through the support of others and her work at a performing arts school. Chastain emphasizes the importance of access to birth control, as it provided her with a choice and allowed her to be the first person in her family not to become a parent at a young age.
Keith Urban shared the moment he first heard his own song on the radio. He happened to be in Nashville behind the wheel of his "rust bucket" of a car. Struggling to make ends meet, he made a stop at a gas station and was surprised to hear his own song playing through the speakers.
Prior to his breakout role as Robb Stark in 'Game of Thrones,' Madden disclosed to Jimmy Fallon that he was surviving on a meager US$5 per day. He admitted, "I had two options: I could either buy one meal, or a newspaper and a pint," he said. He's since landed roles in 'Cinderella,' BBC's 'Bodyguard,' and 'Rocketman.'
In his youth, the actor and his family lived in a van when his father became unemployed.
Similar to Selena Gomez, Bieber also grew up with a single mother in a low-income household. In interviews, the singer has openly discussed how he and his mother would share meals at restaurants.
The singer grew up with a single mother who became a parent at the age of 16. Opening up to Elle magazine, she shared that the early years of her life were financially challenging.
Oprah's upbringing was marked by poverty and difficulties, as she was raised by a single teenage mother, enduring these hardships throughout her childhood.
The vocalist was raised on Long Island. She disclosed in her show 'Mariah's World' that her family had limited finances during her upbringing.
According to the actress, when speaking to the Huffington Post, her childhood was the opposite of 'Gossp Girl' character's. Raised by her grandmother, who faced financial challenges, she endured her mother's absence due to incarceration for drug possession.
The rapper was raised in public housing in Brooklyn and had a single mother who faced financial difficulties.
Tom Cruise had a challenging childhood, as he shared in 2006 with the Daily Mail. Financial struggles plagued his family, and he endured abuse from his father.
The well-known vocalist was raised in a compact apartment located in Castle Hill, Bronx, New York. J-Lo remains grounded by openly discussing her humble origins with E!, demonstrating that she hasn't lost sight of her roots (she's still Jenny from the block!).
The ex-fighter was raised in a poor family in Brownsville, New York, and became an orphan at 16. Undoubtedly, his life took a significant turn due to boxing.
The renowned writer disclosed to the Daily Mail that she was never financially well-off. Even after becoming a mother, she sacrificed her own meals to provide for her daughter.
According to reports, the actress was raised in a modest Cincinnati family.
According to a biography published by USA Today, the rapper disclosed some aspects of her early life, including the fact that she used to share a room with 10 people, as well as her pets.
The actress has revealed that she grew up in a family of modest means. Her mother was a bartender and her father was a pool salesman.
Eminem's challenging childhood is well-known. He grew up with a single mother struggling with drug addiction.
Similar to Eminem, his impoverished upbringing is well-documented, particularly in his biographical film. He spent his early years poverty-stricken in Queens, New York, where his mother resorted to drug dealing as a means to provide for the family.
In a VH1 'Behind the Music' episode, Missy Elliot shared that she experienced difficulties growing up due to financial troubles and being a survivor of abuse. Despite these challenges, she has become one of the most iconic rappers of all time.
During an interview with Nightline, the singer disclosed that she experienced a childhood in poverty and temporarily lived in a homeless shelter in Toronto.
The actress grew up in communes operated by the Children of God. In an interview with the Daily Mail, she shared her experience of leaving the cult with nothing and striving for a more promising future.
The actress's life was not easy at first. Her stepfather reportedly changed jobs constantly which put her family under constant pressure financially.
According to reports, the actress was raised by a single mother in modest circumstances. She and her mother lived with her grandparents, who provided them with financial assistance.
According to John Travolta's biography, the actor was raised in a low-income household in Englewood, New Jersey.
The singer was raised in a large family with 14 siblings. It's easy to see how they struggled financially.
In an interview with Esquire magazine, the actor shared his commitment to providing a life for his children that he didn't have. He explained that his parents worked tirelessly to support their family during his upbringing.
According to reports, the father of the writer allegedly abandoned the family when King was just two years old. Consequently, his mother faced difficulties in providing for their needs.
The vocalist spoke with CBS about her challenging upbringing, being raised by a single mother in Forth Worth, Texas.
The actress recounted to CNN her upbringing in a troubled household and experience with poverty.
The singer's biography recounts his upbringing in impoverished surroundings in Mississippi and frequent reliance on government financial assistance to provide for his family.
Olga's upbringing in Ukraine was marked by poverty, but her life underwent a complete transformation when a modeling agency discovered her.
The actor was raised in an economically disadvantaged family who sometimes struggled to afford food.
Snoop Dogg has addressed the issue of poverty in his early music, as he resided in Long Beach, California, where his family faced financial hardships.
Perry's childhood was defined by poverty and an abusive parent, yet he was able to transform his life and create an incredible legacy.
The performer was raised in an economically disadvantaged household that journeyed across South America with the Children of God cult.
According to the Daily Mail, the actress shared that she and her family lived in a trailer park in Washington.
Despite coming from a financially secure family, she found herself in need of assistance from the charitable organization Salvation Army in her early twenties.
During an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the renowned actor opened up about the challenges he encountered throughout his life. Raised by a single mother, he shared how she tirelessly worked multiple jobs to provide for their life in Los Angeles.
The well-known producer and musician was raised in a social housing complex in Harlem, New York, where his family faced financial difficulties.
Mary J. Blige was born into a big family facing financial challenges. She was raised in Yonkers, New York, and lived in small apartments alongside her five cousins, two aunts, and her parents.
The actor was raised in a financially disadvantaged family in the Bronx, New York.
The rapper grew up in Atlanta and was financially disadvantaged, being raised by his grandparents.
See also: Celebrities who lost all their money
Celebrities who overcame poverty
Many Hollywood stars came from extremely humble beginnings
CELEBRITY Money
Celebrities like Tom Cruise and Jennifer Lopez, known for their glitz and glamour, may surprise you with their humble beginnings. While some celebs were already wealthy before their fame, there are even more fascinating stories of those who started with nothing.
Curious? Click through the gallery to discover the stars who went from rags to riches.