Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Gabourey Sidibe Biography

Birth Name:Gabourey Sidibe

Birth Place:Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Director

Fast Facts

Won the 2009 Black Reel Award for Best Breakthrough Performance and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Won awards for her performance in "Precious" from the Chlotrudis Awards, the Detroit Film Critics Society, the Florida Film Critics Circle and other groups
Attended Mercy College to pursue a degree in psychology
Born to R&B and gospel singer Alice Ridley and cab driver Ibnou Sidibe
Worked as a receptionist at The Fresh Air Fund before receiving her role in "Precious․"
Quote: "I hope I can continue to act․ I hope that I've shown Hollywood that even though I'm not blonde or a size 2, I'm still worthy of carrying a film․"
Quote: "I learned to love myself, because I sleep with myself every night and I wake up with myself every morning, and if I don't like myself, there's no reason to even live the life․"
Gained more opportunities following her critically acclaimed performance in her first film, "Precious․"
Has played roles very different from her own confident personality, such as an abused teenage mother and a bully
Appeared in the 2011 music video "Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)" by Foster the People
Gets through tough times by counting her blessings
Became a fan of the music group NSYNC when she was a teenager and attended more than 20 of their concerts

Awards

2009EDA Special Mention Award-Bravest Performance Award: nominated
2009EDA Female Focus Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: nominated
2009EDA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2009BSFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009BSFC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2009CFCA Award-Most Promising Performer: nominated
2009CFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009DFCS Award-Breakthrough Artist: winner
2009DFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
2009FFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2009Pauline Kael Breakout Award-: winner
2009Golden Schmoes-Best Actress of the Year: nominated
2009Hollywood Film Award-New Hollywood: winner
2009HFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009ICP Award-Best Lead Performance: nominated
2009IFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
2009Sierra Award-Best Actress: winner
2009NBR Award-Breakthrough Performance by an Actress: winner
2009PFCS Award-Breakout on Camera: winner
2009Special Achievement Award-Outstanding New Talent: winner
2009SEFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009SLFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009VVFP Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009WAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2009WAFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2009WAFCA Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: winner
2009WFCC Award-Best Young Actress: winner
2010Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2010BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actress: nominated
2010BET Award-Best Actress: nominated
2010Black Reel-Best Actress: winner
2010Black Reel-Best Breakthrough Performance: winner
2010Chlotrudis Award-Best Actress: winner
2010Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
2010Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year: nominated
2010DFCC-Best Actress: nominated
2010Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: winner
2010Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress: nominated
2010Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2010Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2010Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
2010ICS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2010INOCA-Best Actress: nominated
2010IFC Award-Best Actress: winner
2010MTV Movie Award-Best Breakout Star: nominated
2010OFTA Film Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: Female: nominated
2010OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2010OFCS Award-Best Actress: nominated
2010Virtuoso Award-: winner
2010VFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2011CinEuphoria-Best Duo - International Competition: winner
2011CinEuphoria-Best Actress - Audience Award: winner
2012BSFC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2012Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2012SDFCS Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
2013Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2014Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2015Teen Choice Award-Choice TV: Chemistry: nominated
2020SFC Award-Scene Stealer: nominated
2021Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actress: nominated
2021Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2023Image Award-Outstanding Guest Performance: nominated