
Before the flashing lights and global headlines, some of Hollywood’s leading ladies started their journeys with everyday jobs just like the rest of us. From working in fast food to juggling retail gigs, these women proved that grit and determination can launch anyone from humble beginnings to household names. Check out some of the quirky careers these stars had before they found fame on the silver screen.
Nicole Kidman

Long before international recognition, Nicole Kidman became a certified massage therapist as a teenager in Australia after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, working part-time to help bring in income for her family during that difficult period, as
Megan Fox

Megan Fox started out working at Tropical Smoothie Cafe as a teenager before being discovered. The gig required her to don a giant banana costume and dance by the highway to attract customers, as
Taraji P. Henson

Prior to captivating audiences on television and film, Taraji P. Henson worked as a secretary at the Pentagon while attending college in Washington D.C., juggling that morning role with an evening gig as a singing and dancing waitress aboard a dinner cruise ship to help fund her studies at Howard University, as
Halle Berry

As a teenager, Halle Berry supported herself by selling cookies at The Cookie Company before taking a gig in the children’s department at Higbee’s Department Store
Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts once scooped ice cream at a Baskin-Robbins before making it big in movies, as Roberts’ journey is a reminder that even small jobs can pave the way to stardom
Emma Stone

Emma Stone held a part-time job at a dog-treat bakery in Los Angeles while she chased acting auditions after relocating from Scottsdale, Arizona — taking the gig to justify staying in the city when roles weren’t coming in she inspires those who are hustling for their first big break
Kim Kardashian

Before her status as a social media mogul and entrepreneur, Kim Kardashian worked as a closet organizer and personal stylist for Hollywood’s elite, including serving as Paris Hilton’s assistant during the height of Hilton’s fame in the early 2000s, as Her keen eye for style and detail laid the foundation for her future empires in fashion and beauty
Sandra Bullock

Serving up food and drinks in Manhattan, Sandra Bullock worked as a bartender, cocktail waitress, and coat checker to support herself while auditioning for acting roles, per National Today. Today, she channels those lessons into her on-screen performances.
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This story 8 Celebrity Women Who Started With Ordinary Jobs Before Hollywood Fame first appeared on First for Women. Follow First for WomenonYahoo so you don’t miss what‘s coming next.