While a psychology major at City College in New York, took bit parts in stage shows such as Peter Pan and The Wiz
Without formal acting training, she burst onto the scene with a memorable debut as the title character in the 2009 film Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire, the story of an obese teenager trying to overcome sexual and emotional abuse
Was obsessed with N'Sync as a teen (admitting to going to 23 of their concerts), and was thrilled when Justin Timberlake announced her Golden Globe nomination for Precious