Meet Gabourey Sidibe, the 26-year-old star of a new hit movie, “Precious.” She plays an overweight, illiterate girl who was raped and impregnated twice by her father. The movie took in more at the US box office than any other limited release film.

Many of the risks Sidibe has taken on in the spotlight with regards to her weight have paid off. She has received positive feedback from celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and several broadsheets.

Sidibe lacked role models growing up and spent much of her teen years struggling to fit in while she was attending high school. Hiding behind sweatpants, jeans and huge boots she hid from the world. It wasn’t until she was older that she realized she would evolve into being a beautiful woman if she started to dress like one. She has found clothes that are age and size-appropriate including leggings, cute dresses and skirts, and jeans.

The role of Precious Williams in “Precious” was a fairly simple part for the young Sidibe to master having gone through weight issues and abuse of her own growing up. She has become a role model to thousands of teens and young adults struggling with their weight and given them a new outlook on life.

Meet Gabourey Sidibe, the 26-year-old star of a new hit movie, “Precious.”