The Powerful Force at the Center of Precious

A receptionist becomes a movie star by starring in the most buzzed about film of the season.

Published Nov. 1 2009 9:16PM EST

articles/2009/11/02/the-powerful-force-at-the-center-of-precious/laporte-sidibe_59812_xjmwva — C.J. LaFrance / Getty Images

articles/2009/11/02/the-powerful-force-at-the-center-of-precious/laporte-sidibe_59812_awbpzt

Before Gabourey “Gaby” Sidibe walked into director Lee Daniels’ life, he was, as he said, “depressed.”

He’d been searching high and low for the perfect girl to play Claireece "Precious" Jones in the small film he was making based on the novel, Push, by Sapphire, and after auditioning 500 of them,...

Nicole LaPorte

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The Powerful Force at the Center of Precious

A receptionist becomes a movie star by starring in the most buzzed about film of the season.

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Nicole LaPorte