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Katy Perry -

The daughter of two pastors, Katy Perry was raised as a strict evangelical Christian. At 16, she released her first album with religious songs. But as she moved on to pop, her parent disapproved of her new sound and image.

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Steve Martin -

One of Hollywood's most fun-loving goofballs, Steve Martin's father didn't approve of his comedic career ambitions. He was so against it that he even wrote a bad review after Martin's first appearance on 'Saturday Night Live.'

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Oprah Winfrey -

From having nothing to becoming one of the richest women in the world, Oprah Winfrey has come a long way since her humble beginnings. However, when she first started out, her dad strongly disapproved of her career choice. He changed his mind though, when she became famous and money started to roll in...

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Kris Kristofferson -

Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson has had a successful career, crafting hits performed by stars like Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. However, before that, he graduated with a master's degree in literature and then joined the army. When he was discharged, Kristofferson received an offer to teach literature at West Point, but he rejected it to become a songwriter. His parents thought he was throwing away his future and disowned him.

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Madonna -

A pop icon, Madonna was always a rebel. Dreaming of becoming a dancer, she didn't get the support from her father, who opposed the idea. He made her go to college, which she eventually dropped to dance in New York.

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Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) -

Considered today a literary genius, Edgar Allan Poe's father didn't agree with his career path in writing. Poe entered West Point for a military education in 1830 as a way to get out of the US Army. At the time, he began his writing career, and even published poetry. However, when Poe was expelled from the school in 1831, his father disowned him.

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Jennifer Lawrence -

Jennifer Lawrence had a humble, religious upbringing in a small Kansas town. Becoming a movie star wasn't seen by her parents as an attainable dream. However, at 14, she got the support from her mother and went to New York to visit talent agencies.

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Alfred Nobel (1833-1896) -

The founder of the Nobel Prize didn't initially want to be a scientist. Instead, his original career choice was in literature and poetry. However, when his father, inventor and engineer Immanuel Nobel, realized Alfred wasn't interested in science, he sent him on an educational trip to learn about engineering. Alfred followed his father's footsteps and went on to create dynamite. But behind closed doors he continued writing poetry, plays, and novels.

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Jennifer Lopez -

Known for her success in dancing, singing, and acting, the A-lister's parents initially gave her a hard time about her pursuits of stardom. They told her that Latinos often faced racism and stereotypes, and that her background wouldn't get her anywhere.

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Tom Cruise -

Tom Cruise faced a lot of obstacles growing up, mainly from his father, who often abused him. He didn't support any of his passions and encouraged Cruise to pursue a career as a Catholic priest.

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Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) -

The founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale was born to a wealthy family in 1820, who expected her to conform to Victorian standards of marriage and childbearing. Instead, she refused marriage and enrolled into nursing school at the age of 30. She went on to improve sanitary conditions at hospitals, develop better nursing practices, and create educational programs for other nurses.

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Courtney Love -

The punk-rock singer and actress has had a difficult family life. Her mother, an heiress, didn’t approve when she began her music projects. And her father didn't care much whatever she was doing. He even gave her drugs. A horrible idea.

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Dwayne Johnson -

Born to a Canadian professional wrestler, Rocky Johnson, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson grew up surrounded by the sport. However, his father didn't want him to have a career in wrestling, mainly because it was a physically and mentally tough life.

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Miles Davis (1926-1991) -

The nine-time Grammy winner was an icon that influenced not only jazz, but other genres of music as well. Known for his trumpet, his mother initially wanted him to play the violin, as she believed it would be more socially accepted in a segregated society. His father, on the other hand, wanted him to become a dentist.

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Emma Roberts -

Daughter of actor Eric Roberts and actress Kelly Cunningham, Emma Roberts is also the niece of Julia Roberts. Growing up in a family of actors, it was only natural for her to follow the footsteps of her famous relatives. However, initially, her parents were against her getting into the film industry. They really wanted her to live a more 'normal' life compared to the rest of the Roberts clan.

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Edouard Manet (1832-1883) -

The renowned French painter came from a politically involved family, who rejected the idea of a career in art. Edouard Manet’s father wanted him to attend the French naval academy but, after failing the entrance exam twice, he moved instead to Paris to study art.

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Megan Fox -

Megan Fox grew up in Tennessee in a strict and religious household. She loved to dance, and participated in drama events throughout school, but her artistic ambitions were met with objection. However, it didn't stop her from chasing her dreams.

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Eminem -

Brought up in the Detroit area, Eminem didn't have an easy upbringing. Abandoned by his father as an infant, his mother struggled to care for him. She disapproved of him rapping, and their relationship was pretty bad for most of his career.

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Mayim Bialik -

The star of 'Blossom' and 'The Big Bang Theory' almost never followed the path towards acting. Growing up in a strict household, her parents wanted her to have an education. In the end, she managed to have a successful acting career and earn a PhD in neuroscience at UCLA. Impressive!

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Roseanne Barr -

Actress, comedian, and writer Roseanne Barr hasn't had the best relationship with her family. Raised in a strict Jewish household, her parents strongly disapproved of her career choice. She then left home and started doing comedy until becoming an established star.

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Heather Graham -

The star of films like 'Boogie Nights' (1997), Heather Graham has been estranged from her parents ever since her first major film role.

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Robert Zemeckis -

Director of the 'Back to the Future' film trilogy (1985–90) and the Oscar-winning 'Forrest Gump' (1994), Robert Zemeckis' family didn't approve of his initial interest in filmmaking. Aren't we glad he followed his dream!

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Ariel Winter -

There has been a lot of drama and conflicting information about Ariel Winter and her family. Some sources say that her mom didn’t really want her to become a child actress, and others say that she pushed her into the business. In 2012, her sister became her guardian, who alleged physical and emotional abuse when she was younger.

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Lloyd Nolan (1902-1985) -

The respected actor started his acting career in gangster movies in the '30s and '40s. He had a long, successful career in both television and film. However, initially, his parents were disappointed by him not joining the family shoe manufacturing business.

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Celia Cruz (1925-2003) - Before becoming a Latin music icon, Cuban-American singer Celia Cruz was pressured by her father to become a teacher. And while she did attend teachers' college, salsa music was her true calling.

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Kurt Busiek -

Kurt Busiek is a comic book writer known for his work with 'The Avengers' and 'The Marvels.' However, as a child, his parents believed comics would rot his mind. For this reason, Busiek kept his passion a secret. 

Sources: (Mental Floss) (TheRichest) 

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