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Jan 05, 2017 Roxane rated information technology really liked it

Gabourey Sidibe's delightful memoir This Is Just My Face: Endeavour Not To Stare offers a memorable look into what happens when a black girl'south dreams come true, from the inside out. From her unique childhood every bit the girl of a subway vocalist mother and polygamous father to struggling with low to getting the role of Precious, Sidibe is fearless, incredibly funny and gorgeously open. What she offers of herself in these pages is a gift.

Also, major side eye to lee daniels. And andre leon talley.

Aug 08, 2017 Erin rated it information technology was amazing

Every bit you all should know by now, my reviews are based off of emotion. If you desire fancy well idea out reviews...I'm not your girl.

Ok. At present on to my review.

I love Gabby! She says that's what her friends call her and apparently we're besties at present so Imma call her Gabby.

I recall being afraid to sentry Precious because I knew it would piss me off. Information technology did, but I'm glad I watched information technology(if you oasis't watched it, you should) I loved Gabby and was really happy for her, but I as well thought I'd never run into her

As you all should know by now, my reviews are based off of emotion. If you lot want fancy well thought out reviews...I'g non your daughter.

Ok. Now on to my review.

I love Gabby! She says that'due south what her friends phone call her and manifestly nosotros're besties now then Imma call her Gabby.

I recall existence afraid to watch Precious considering I knew it would piss me off. It did, simply I'm glad I watched information technology(if yous haven't watched information technology, you should) I loved Gabby and was really happy for her, but I too idea I'd never meet her again considering Hollywood is shallow, racist, and hates fat(women). I recollect hearing Howard Stern say pretty much the same affair and people getting mad at him. I didn't understand why, he was telling the truth. All he said was that if she wanted to go along working she would need to lose weight. He knows what I and a lot of people know. Hollywood only loves you if you're immature, white, and anorexic.

And so I was pleasantly surprised past her continued success. She's been in more movies(I haven't seen whatever of them) and television receiver shows The Big C(also never seen it) and Empire (which stopped being adept after the 1st season) and American Horror Story(don't get me started).I'm glad she and Hollywood proved me wrong.

This Is But My Face isn't the all-time celebrity book I've e'er read but it made me express joy and I enjoyed getting to know Gabby and her interesting family. Her mother married her father then he could get a Visa and subsequently she constitute out that he had taken a second wife and had more children. Her mother is funny, talented, famous in her mode(Google Gabourey Sidibe's female parent y'all won't regret it)and never let's the world get her down. I already liked Gabby but this book made me fall in love with her.

I'm catastrophe my breathless review with this, read this book its extremely entertaining.

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October 01, 2017 Barbara rated it really liked it

Gabourey Sidibe

Gabourey Sidibe (Gabby) is an American actress who starred in the film 'Precious', co-starred in several seasons of the television series 'American Horror Story', and co-stars in the musical drama series 'Empire.'

Gabourey Sidibe in Precious

Gabourey Sidibe in American Horror Story

Gabourey Sidibe in Empire (with Jussie Smollett)

Gabby was a struggling young woman trying to make ends see when she was offered the starring role in the 2009 picture 'Precious.' And the residual is history! One thousand

Gabourey Sidibe

Gabourey Sidibe (Gabby) is an American actress who starred in the film 'Precious', co-starred in several seasons of the boob tube series 'American Horror Story', and co-stars in the musical drama series 'Empire.'

Gabourey Sidibe in Precious

Gabourey Sidibe in American Horror Story

Gabourey Sidibe in Empire (with Jussie Smollett)

Gabby was a struggling young woman trying to make ends run across when she was offered the starring role in the 2009 movie 'Precious.' And the rest is history! Gabby'south talent, drive, and winning personality propelled her into a rewarding show business career and worldwide fame.

In this memoir Gabby talks about her life - and what led up to her success - with sense of humour, artlessness, and modesty.

Gabby was built-in and raised in New York City.

Gabourey Sidibe as a baby visiting her grandmother in Senegal

Her female parent, Alice Tan Ridley, worked as a professional person singer and schoolteacher, and was a devoted mom to Gabby and her older brother Ahmed. Gabby notes that Alice "shines every bit bright as a diamond because she is a goddamned STAR."

Gabourey Sidibe and her mother Alice

Gabby'due south begetter, Ibnou Sidibe, is a Muslim from Senegal. He worked as a cabdriver and never smiled or laughed. To Gabby, he "seemed like the nearly slow man in the world" - who brought gloom and darkness into the home. Alice and Ibnou had an unhappy marriage.

In Senegal, men are immune to accept multiple wives, and Ibnou (secretly) followed his native traditions. He married his Senegalese cousin Tola, had a child with her, and inveigled Alice to invite Tola to stay with them. Then Ibnou had two wives in the same apartment....for a while. When Alice caught on, she happily left with Gabby and Ahmed (who were about 9 and 10 at the time).

Money was tight and Alice, Gabby, and Ahmed squeezed into a single room in the dwelling of Alice's sis Dorothy.

Immature Gabourey Sidibe

They stayed for two years earlier scoring a subsidized studio apartment in a Harlem high rise. Space was still scarce, and the family unit shared a bunk bed: Alice and Ahmed on the bottom and Gabby on top. The rest of their belongings consisted of a couch, dresser, and table to hold their TV, VCR, and Super Nintendo. They had i chair that Gabby saturday on to practice homework and await out at the skyline. V years later the family got a two-bedroom apartment in the edifice, and Ahbed and Gabby got their own rooms....while Alice slept on a sofa in the living room.

As a child, Gabby didn't realize they were poor but knew they weren't rich considering they weren't white. Gabby thought being rich was "simply for white people and Michael Jackson." As Gabby got older she started to worry about coin, and was floored when Alice quit her school chore to sing in the subway. She idea, "Are yous fucking crazy? Quit your chore!!!!????"

Alice singing in the subway

Ironically, Alice's subway vocals netted about 800 to 900 dollars a week, much more than her teaching job. Only Gabby was still uneasy, concerned that Alice might lose her voice. Gabby became very broken-hearted, and this may have contributed to her problems in later life, when she suffered from an eating disorder, panic attacks, and depression.....plus she flunked out of school.

Gabby was never very close to her begetter, fifty-fifty as a modest child. When Ibnou told six-year-erstwhile Gabby that he would live with her when he got to be an old man - and she would intendance for him similar a adept Muslim woman - she thought 'HELL NO' and decided non to be a Muslim anymore. Gabby's decision was probably reinforced the next year, when Ibnou took young Gabby and Ahmed to Senegal, to see his family.

Gabby writes, "The first two weeks of the trip were magical", with lots of fun and games. And then Ibnou left, and his family "went from being welcoming to existence monsters." Grandma became cold and vicious and let the uncles hitting Gabby and Ahmed. And the girls called Gabby 'Patapoof', which is Wolof (the Senegalese language) for fat. When Alice sent packages to her kids, the relatives took everything for themselves. Gabby longed to go home and when she finally got back to New York vowed never to set pes in Senegal again (though she's softening that stance now that she's an adult).

When Gabby was 21 and completely unemployable, she saw an ad for a 'phone actress' (telephone sexual activity worker) and went for an interview.

Gabby expected to see "a dungeon with girls in ripped underwear talking into phone receivers", but institute a normal part with phone talkers, a receptionist, and a trainer for the ladies. Gabby notes that the 'phone girls', usually plus-size blackness women, portrayed themselves as "good ol' American white" - since most callers expected this. Gabby did well at the job, earned promotions, and finally became the person who trains applicants.

Gabby says that she took what she learned on the phone sex job and practical information technology to the real world. She learned "to talk to people, to flirt with everyone, to lead with her personality, and to deal with rumors"....considering her co-workers whispered that she was a lesbian who slept her way up the ladder. Zip could be further from the truth.

Gabourey Sidibe likes boys 💕

Gabby was 'boy crazy' since junior high school. However - since she's 'fatty' (her words) - Gabby thinks near guys she meets are out of her league. Moreover, the issue of men has gotten even more complicated with fame. Co-ordinate to Gabby, before she became an actress she had her league figured out. She was probably going to marry a cabdriver since "her league included cabbies, sanitation workers, security guards, and maybe grocery-story managers."

Now that Gabby'south a Hollywood bigwig, her league is all messed up. She doesn't have to ally a cabbie anymore, but she'due south pretty sure she "can't date the Liam Hemsworths and Michael B. Jordans" either. And so she's thinking.....maybe she can date a high schoolhouse teacher or something? LOL

Gabby has a great humour and makes fun of herself. However, she doesn't like for other people to call her a 'fat bitch' or to stuff pillows in their clothing to 'exist Gabby' for Halloween. The extra is offended that people's opinions are based on her body. She says, "It seems every bit if I cured cancer or won a Nobel Prize someone would say, "Sure that'due south dandy but her torso is just icky." Gabby blows this criticism off, however, and notes "I am dope at any and every size. I am smart. I am funny. I am talented. I am gorgeous, I am black. I am a bad bowwow." (You get Gabby!)

After years of trying to get ahead, Gabby went back to college (a few times) and finally got lucky when a friend tipped her off to an audience for a movie called Button (the original championship of Precious). Gabby was skeptical, but tried out for the role. The film was a huge success, Gabby was nominated for a Golden World and an Academy Award, and her career took off from there.

I of the proudest moments of Gabby's life was at the White House Correspondents Dinner when President Obama was in office. Gabby got in a line of people waiting to run into POTUS and FLOTUS, carrying a slip of paper with her name....to be given to a woman who would announce her to the beginning couple. When the woman began to say Gabby'south proper name, President Obama cut her off and said, "I know who she is!" He told Gabby, "You're the BOMB, girl!", and hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. Gabby writes, "Yeah....the President of the U.Due south. said I was the bomb! What else practise yous need to know." Ha ha ha

Gabourey Sidibe with President Obama

In addition to the topics I've mentioned above, Gabby writes nearly many other things, including: Twitter (she's an avid Tweeter); virgins (and not being 1); psychics (who predicted her success); hair (her mother spent hours braiding her hair on weekends); dating (not and then easy); boyfriends (not so great); award shows (you need nice clothes); death rumors (she supposedly died from an asthma attack); therapy (which helped her); weight-loss surgery (which she'south had)....besides as friends, relatives, and more. And information technology'southward all entertaining and fun.

Gabby'southward a natural writer with a unique voice and I very much enjoyed the volume. I'd highly recommend it to readers who like celebrity memoirs.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....

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This is one of the best celebrity memoirs I've read recently and I'm shocked more of my friends haven't read information technology. Gabourey Sidibe is nearly famous for her titular role in Precious, but her recent projects have been American Horror Story and Empire. Before she got into acting, though, Gabourey (rhymes with cabaret) led a truly fascinating life, which is honestly worthy of beingness a picture in and of itself.

In THIS IS JUST MY Face, Gabourey talks

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This is i of the best glory memoirs I've read recently and I'm shocked more of my friends haven't read it. Gabourey Sidibe is near famous for her titular office in Precious, but her contempo projects accept been American Horror Story and Empire. Before she got into acting, though, Gabourey (rhymes with cabaret) led a truly fascinating life, which is honestly worthy of being a movie in and of itself.

In THIS IS JUST MY FACE, Gabourey talks near her family unit dynamic. Her African-American mother married her Senegalese father to go him a green card and he implemented some pretty strict subject area in their household. And then he actually went back to Senegal and married his cousin, which her female parent tricked her into revealing by request whether their child together was illegitimate (apparently a huge insult in Senegal). Her stepmother, Tola, ran a psychic business in Gabourey'southward younger brother's bedroom when they all lived together, and hilariously, she even predicted Gabourey would exist famous.

Some other things Gabourey talks about in her memoir are her stint working at a phone sex hotline, her love-detest human relationship with social media (especially Twitter but also social media in general), what it's like dealing with relatives coming out of the woodwork when you become famous and how they always assume that you're richer than you really are, her struggles with an ED and her subsequently decision to get bariatric surgery-- non to wait amend or fit in with conventional dazzler standards, simply to be healthier, and her truly relatable experiences with depression and anxiety.

I loved this memoir so much. I loved her conversational style of writing and her funny sense of sense of humour, her (mis)adventures with Senegal, her frank discussions of fame and mental health, and basically all of it. The only thing I didn't like is this ane chapter where she writes about going to a film festival that is filled with effusive praise for Lena Dunham (I really don't like Lena Dunham), but thankfully she merely makes up a small part of that affiliate and isn't mentioned anywhere else. Literally everything else in this memoir is gold and I'll definitely exist recommending it to all my friends.

iv.v stars

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I ordinarily practice not read a whole lot of celebrity memoir-slash-essay books if the celebrity is non a writer or comedian whose work I'm familiar with. But I was so charmed by the comprehend and title of Gabourey Sidibe's book, and knowing a little of her backstory I thought it might exist a fun read. I was very much correct.

This is the kind of book you read where when it's over you feel like you and the author are now friends. Sidibe does this matter where her writing feels then conversational, so natural, that

I commonly do not read a whole lot of celebrity memoir-slash-essay books if the celebrity is not a author or comedian whose work I'm familiar with. Only I was then charmed by the encompass and title of Gabourey Sidibe's volume, and knowing a piffling of her backstory I thought information technology might exist a fun read. I was very much right.

This is the kind of book you read where when it's over you feel similar you and the author are now friends. Sidibe does this thing where her writing feels so conversational, so natural, that it made me want to figure out how to do that. She is also ridiculously funny, I laughed (out loud!) and so many times. It is the kind of book where you want to have someone sitting adjacent to you to read a funny line to.

While she plays up for laughs a lot, Sidibe too doesn't shy abroad from the difficult stuff. She'due south able to talk well-nigh beingness a phone sex operator and having a famous subway singer for a mom, and she tin turn on a dime to talk about struggles with money and her parents' tumultuous matrimony and divorce.

Sidibe is only then open up, so freely and frankly herself. She writes a lot about how she wants to have the kind of deep confidence her mother has and if she doesn't have information technology already she'south well on her way. This is a fun read that you can hands selection upwardly for five minutes or an hour.

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Jun 07, 2017 Ebony Rose rated information technology it was astonishing

I of my reading goals this year was to read more than nonfiction and poesy. And for some reason, reading memoirs is how that goal has manifested. This is interesting considering for the longest fourth dimension I accept vocally declared my disdain of all things memoir/autobiography. It turns out I was wrong. I was simply reading the memoirs of the wrong people . I was reading stories of the great heroes of our time, people I could barely relate to. Big mistake. Those people are important and then are their stories, bu One of my reading goals this year was to read more nonfiction and poesy. And for some reason, reading memoirs is how that goal has manifested. This is interesting because for the longest time I accept vocally declared my disdain of all things memoir/autobiography. Information technology turns out I was wrong. I was just reading the memoirs of the incorrect people . I was reading stories of the keen heroes of our time, people I could barely relate to. Big error. Those people are important and so are their stories, but they don't capture my attention from a literary standpoint.

Gabourey Sidibe and I don't have a lot in common at a surface level (for starters, I'm non famous or artistically inclined and I grew upwards in Canada, lol). Only her story is not and so different from mine once y'all delve beyond those obvious things. Her memoir deals with her journey to fame, but as well deals with her insecurities, being a plus-sized black adult female in a globe that has yet to realize our worth, hair struggles, family dysfunction and honey, dating woes (OH the dating WOES!!!), and much more.

I read this volume later seeing Gabourey at a book signing and listening to her speak. Who she is in person is exactly who she is on newspaper. The memoir feels honest, raw, and is intense in some moments. But information technology is also laugh-out-loud-on-the-subway funny, relatable and comforting. I intend to listen to the audiobook next, as at that place is something special near hearing people tell their own stories in their ain voices.

I would recommend this volume without whatever hesitation. It's worth a read and you won't regret it, I promise!

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Feb 01, 2018 Raymond rated information technology really liked it

Sidibe's book is very good. This book is her memoir most her life before and after she became famous. I highly recommend it if you are looking for an interesting and funny volume to read. I read the bodily volume, however, I wish I had read the audiobook version merely to hear her say her asides and other remarks. Can't wait to see how the rest of her career will turn out. I hope she writes more books. Sidibe'due south volume is very skillful. This book is her memoir about her life earlier and after she became famous. I highly recommend it if you are looking for an interesting and funny volume to read. I read the bodily book, however, I wish I had read the audiobook version just to hear her say her asides and other remarks. Tin't wait to run across how the rest of her career will turn out. I hope she writes more books. ...more than

May xix, 2017 Valerie rated it really liked it

Reading Gabourey Sidibe's funny, introspective, and healing reflections on her life was a pleasure. On top of reaffirming how much I adore the memoir/autobiography genre (I've been reading a lot more fiction lately to open my perspective), I learned and so much about this talented immature woman. Reading through her low points, triumphs, and everything in between kept me absorbed from cover to cover, shown in the speed with which I paged through it. As reflected in the For Colored Nerds podcast episo Reading Gabourey Sidibe'south funny, introspective, and healing reflections on her life was a pleasure. On height of reaffirming how much I admire the memoir/autobiography genre (I've been reading a lot more fiction lately to open my perspective), I learned and so much nearly this talented young woman. Reading through her low points, triumphs, and everything in between kept me absorbed from cover to embrace, shown in the speed with which I paged through information technology. As reflected in the For Colored Nerds podcast episode featuring the author, it's so incredibly clear that this story was written past the adult female we're learning about, a fact that isn't ever apparent in books "written" by celebrities. I well-nigh appreciated how the sharing of her story was something that was every bit much for her as it was for the states. Information technology made the whole reading experience that much more enriching.

What I loved well-nigh about this was how so much of her life reminded me of my own while still being so dissimilar. Sidibe does a fantastic job of telling her story while also making it relatable for the reader. (view spoiler)[She is, similar me, the kid of a West African immigrant. Senegal is separated from Ghana, the state of my parents' origin, by a 3 hour flight. Her early on reflections on her male parent reminded me very much of the relationship I share with my ain, downward to his ceaseless love of the news and constant seriousness. However I was floored past the number of times her dearest for him led to her feeling betrayed and undervalued, feelings I didn't necessarily have with my father. Because our human relationship is not well-nigh as strained equally theirs, I appreciated her thoughts on him as a person and as her father equally they demonstrate a potent will to forgive in her. On a surface level, I was right there with her, but going deeper into their human relationship gave me a new appreciation for her as a person. The portion where she mentioned playing with her mother then hearing him come home and knowing the fun would end was like ripping a memory from my own life and putting information technology to paper. I'g thrilled to hear they're dorsum on speaking terms and hope to hear more from her on her relationship to the continent as both an African and American.

At that place were several other things, big and modest, I related to: the gift and expletive of being able to aid those you love while also feeling slightly used, the clumsiness of male interaction and knowing if they like you or like you similar you (Juvenile? Perhaps, but you know what I mean!), those moments of sitting on the flooring betwixt your mother'due south legs as she watched her calendar week's worth of VCR recorded soaps, writing pages and pages of fan fiction as a teenager instead of interacting with the exterior globe. The list goes on and on... (hibernate spoiler)]

As you can tell from this lengthy review, this introspective look at her life has made me grow to love Gabourey Sidibe in a new and cute way. I'd heard her name before and e'er enjoyed her work when I encountered it, only much like it'due south been with other memoirs and biographies, now I'grand more invested in the adult female behind those roles. I wait forward to seeing her growth equally an actress, manager, and a person over the years. Dandy book, would admittedly recommend!

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Sep 13, 2017 Michael rated it really liked information technology

Gabourey made me laugh out loud with her life, it is so agreeable how she can accept real situations and plough them into comedy. Aside from the movie she was in and a few interviews I watched of her,a lot of things that she been through was shocking to me. I knew that she was talked about regarding her weight loss and how looks, but I love how she remained positive throughout. Whether she was a size 2 or a size fourteen, she was comfortable in her own peel.

At that place were many highlights in this volume, but my

Gabourey made me laugh out loud with her life, it is so amusing how she can take real situations and turn them into one-act. Aside from the movie she was in and a few interviews I watched of her,a lot of things that she been through was shocking to me. I knew that she was talked most regarding her weight loss and how looks, merely I love how she remained positive throughout. Whether she was a size two or a size 14, she was comfortable in her own peel.

There were many highlights in this book, simply my favorite was when she talked near psychics. I loved how she never gave up on them, despite how inaccurate they were. Gabby wrote this book like you were sitting right adjacent by her, that is what made this book and so relatable.

Glad that I read it, it showed a different side of people y'all practice not meet in hollywood.

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May 29, 2017 Janine rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this book, and in a style that felt different than other celebrity autobiographies I have read.

For one, I felt like Sidibe is a lot dissimilar in real life than I expected...and also kind of non? Similar, there were things she said and I would be like "oh man, that is SO me, YES!" and feel similar I related to her and so well. But overall, I tin can't say my life has been anything like hers. Which I call back fabricated this such a fascinating read.

Another thing that set up her book apart from others is that it's

I enjoyed this book, and in a style that felt different than other celebrity autobiographies I have read.

For 1, I felt like Sidibe is a lot different in existent life than I expected...and likewise kind of not? Like, there were things she said and I would be like "oh man, that is So me, YES!" and experience like I related to her and then well. But overall, I can't say my life has been anything similar hers. Which I think made this such a fascinating read.

Some other thing that set her book apart from others is that it'south really near HER. Non her rise to fame or her experience getting her big intermission every bit Precious, but nearly GABBY. Her life, her family, her parents, her struggles. I think the fact that fame came to her much afterward than it does for other celebrities (and when I say that, I mean in her 20s...Hollywood is conspicuously nevertheless a immature person's game) was function of the reason for this. That, and the fact that she never really saw acting or performing every bit a calling for herself. That fabricated it fifty-fifty more interesting to hear about how Precious came about, and launched her career.

I appreciated her message of empowerment and loving yourself, while likewise beingness honest almost her ain vulnerability and insecurities. I cannot imagine how information technology feels to put yourself out there in the way that celebrities do, especially when it's Not something you lot sought after and expected.

I also constitute her word of her condign famous and having money really interesting. Yous hear stories about celebrities saying that they always said when they got famous, they'd buy their parents a business firm or something like that. And I'm certain many of them do purchase things for their families. Sidibe's give-and-take of the way her family and friends expected things from her, though, shed a new calorie-free on that thought. Information technology wasn't just that she could practise those things for people, it was that they expected her to do them, and if she was reluctant or said she couldn't aid, she was viewed as the selfish celebrity. Nevermind the fact that she didn't have nearly every bit much money as anybody thought she did. It was interesting to hear her talk about that experience.

I really enjoyed this book, and found Sidibe to exist incredibly honest and funny. She came off as very relatable, and a true introvert at middle. She besides won me over when she talked about her 'North Sync fanfiction writing, because I'd be lying if I said I don't have my own embarrassing fanfic stories hidden somewhere too (non 'N Sync, but does that really fifty-fifty matter?). This was fun, and it made me fall in love with Sidibe even more.

Besides? I really do need to watch Precious one of these days...

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A funny, punchy read that will entreatment to those readers who dear Mindy Kaling's memoirs. Gabby's vocalization is fabled and her storytelling is engaging. Loved her talk nearly working on a sex activity line equally a talker, as well as her concluding chapter on NSYNC fan fiction. I found her trunk talk, especially the chapter on her weight loss surgery, to exist really empowering and positive.

Every bit the kids say, it'south pretty #relatable. Yous tin't help but desire to hang out with her.

A funny, punchy read that will entreatment to those readers who love Mindy Kaling's memoirs. Gabby'southward vocalism is fabulous and her storytelling is engaging. Loved her talk about working on a sex line as a talker, besides as her terminal affiliate on NSYNC fan fiction. I institute her torso talk, especially the chapter on her weight loss surgery, to be really empowering and positive.

Equally the kids say, it'south pretty #relatable. You lot can't help but want to hang out with her.

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Beyond having once seen the movie Precious and having watched the Freak Show season of AHS (the only one I've been able to get through), I knew nix about Gabourey Sibide. Her life isn't UNinteresting (I very much enjoyed reading about her begetter's Sengalese civilization and how it affected their domicile life), just in a similar vein to other young actresses' memoirs, I finished this book feeling like she just hasn't reached an age of introspection enough to write a particularly compelling memoir. Her Beyond having once seen the movie Precious and having watched the Freak Show flavor of AHS (the only one I've been able to get through), I knew nothing about Gabourey Sibide. Her life isn't UNinteresting (I very much enjoyed reading about her father's Sengalese culture and how it afflicted their home life), but in a similar vein to other young actresses' memoirs, I finished this volume feeling like she simply hasn't reached an age of introspection enough to write a particularly compelling memoir. Her phonation comes across as too wanting to be seen equally clever to feel authentic, and some of her jokes seem to actually exist trying besides hard to force a laugh. Not that she comes across every bit unlikable- she doesn't-- but she also simply seems kind of immature. I get it- a volume deal means a paycheck, so sign her up-- just that doesn't make her a good author, though I wonder with a couple of more decades of life feel under her belt, if she could be. Three stars, and barely that, unfortunately. ...more than

Sassy and serious! Sexism, eating disorders, phone sexual practice workers, anxiety/low, hair bug, psychics, twitter craziness, your dad's big secret...these are just some of the subjects that brand an advent, Gabourey discusses both the high and low moments in her life with raw honesty and a sassy wit that left me going 'No way' and and then LOLing page afterward folio. Sassy and serious! Sexism, eating disorders, phone sexual practice workers, anxiety/depression, pilus issues, psychics, twitter craziness, your dad's big underground...these are just some of the subjects that make an appearance, Gabourey discusses both the high and low moments in her life with raw honesty and a sassy wit that left me going 'No manner' and and so LOLing page after page. ...more

This was fabulous and Gabourey Sidibe is fabulous. SO FUNNY, but also sorry and vulnerable, with a side of WTF?! I but love her.

Since this is a not-fiction novel, I don't feel like I can carve up this upwardly in "good vs. bad" as I usually practise. This is someone's life we're talking about. I'yard non going to exist the judge of that. We all brand skilful decisions, bad ones and… sometimes nosotros fifty-fifty run abroad from taking them in the offset place. How can I perchance go "Oh, I didn't like THAT" when it's 1 of Gabourey'south ain decisions? I can't.

First off – if you hadn't noticed withal – this is the story of a black, plus-sized adult female who fought to ge

Since this is a non-fiction novel, I don't feel like I tin can dissever this upward in "good vs. bad" as I usually do. This is someone's life we're talking most. I'k not going to exist the judge of that. We all make good decisions, bad ones and… sometimes we even run abroad from taking them in the showtime place. How tin can I mayhap go "Oh, I didn't similar THAT" when it's one of Gabourey's own decisions? I can't.

First off – if you hadn't noticed yet – this is the story of a black, plus-sized woman who fought to get where she is now.
In her own sassy and sarcastic style she shares everything she'due south been through, how she got where she is at present and – most importantly – that it isn't all sunshine and rainbows. She shows how her life isn't all that perfect, only she'due south still happy with the way it is and the decisions she's made.

In TIJMF, there is one specific subject touched upon that hit me difficult. Stomach surgery.
The style she talked nigh the surgery hit home. Hard. And but and so you know, it's Not like shooting fish in a barrel having your life changed entirely in barely twelve hours' fourth dimension and non beingness able to go back. Information technology's NOT.
I could elaborate on this more, but the just affair I desire to share on this specific subject is this: People who chose this surgery didn't do information technology because they want to be skinny. They did it because they want to feel comfortable in their ain skin, considering they want to experience healthy and cannot get there through regular diets. Hell, if I would be skinny, I'd become an identity crisis. As Gabourey I'yard happy with simply being stubby. That's me. I simply don't even want to be skinny. I'one thousand not kidding about that identity crunch, okay?

Okay, let's stop this review and conclude that this book is proof we all choose our own paths. We all take our pasts, make our own decisions and we decide where we go, where we end up. Nosotros decide what and who we want to be – no one else. Gabourey shared her journey so far; I'one thousand taking it with me to remind me I am the one deciding where my life is headed.

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Jul 24, 2017 Seymone rated it really liked it

I have naught profound to say about this memoir. Gabourey is very entertaining and transparent.
Later on reading her story, I however dont feel any connection to her. I dont feel similar I will follow her career more closely. The reason behind the four stars is due to the collection of memories that she chose to share. Some were interesting, funny, and some downwards right ridiculous. This memoir is definitely a page turner.

Jul 22, 2019 britt_brooke rated it actually liked information technology

I read the novel Push past Sapphire several years back, but wasn't able to finish the film "Precious" because reliving that gut-wrenching story was besides much. What I did feel of Sidibe'south performance was incredible. It turns out, she's a brilliant storyteller and talented writer, besides. In this honest and funny memoir, she lays bare her unique family history, career, body image, etc. Fantastic on audio!

Really interesting memoir. I honey Gabby as an actress, merely this peek into her existent life shines a fiddling light on how she became famous. If y'all love nonfiction, I'd recommend giving this a go. Really interesting memoir. I dear Gabby as an actress, but this peek into her existent life shines a trivial light on how she became famous. If y'all dear nonfiction, I'd recommend giving this a go. ...more than

May 31, 2018 LaDonna rated it liked it

I liked this book but I didn't love it. I was a little disappointed about the flow of the volume, simply enjoyed hearing about her life. I liked this book just I didn't love it. I was a little disappointed well-nigh the menstruation of the book, merely enjoyed hearing about her life. ...more

Sep 07, 2020 Sarah Clark rated it information technology was amazing

A biography or memoir of a celebrity, peculiarly and actor, is not the kind of volume I tend to pick upwardly, but after reading an essay by Gabourey Sidibe in the book Well-Read Black Girl, I was hooked on her vocalism and style and sense of sense of humor.

By the end of this book, you want to be Gabby'southward best friend. Which I recall would mean hanging out until she pushes you out of the door and so she can take a breather from people, remove her pants, and honey on her cats.

She talks about her bicultural upbringing (Amer

A biography or memoir of a celebrity, especially and actor, is non the kind of volume I tend to pick up, but subsequently reading an essay past Gabourey Sidibe in the book Well-Read Blackness Girl, I was hooked on her voice and style and sense of sense of humour.

By the end of this book, y'all want to be Gabby'south best friend. Which I call back would mean hanging out until she pushes you out of the door so she tin take a breather from people, remove her pants, and honey on her cats.

She talks about her bicultural upbringing (American mom and Senegalese male parent), a serial of psychics who kept predicting her ascension to fame, her insistence that people call her by her existent name, not something easier, and and so much more than. Being the "fat girl," and all the judgement around that. Being black in America. Her struggles with low and bulimia. And ultimately too the healing power of writing a volume like this.

Beyond Precious, I haven't fifty-fifty seen much of her work as an actor. That didn't thing. She is a gifted and hilarious writer, and I could non put this volume down. This is upwardly there with Tina Fey's Bossypants and Trevor Noah's Built-in a Criminal offense for comedic and insightful memoirs.

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It is ofttimes difficult to write a review of a memoir, considering you want to avert passing judgment on a person's life. Then, I effort to focus on what about someone'south life story tin be helpful and inspiring to others and how much is the memoirist willing to share with the public. By this measurement Gabourey has done a bang-up job. As she acknowledges, there is probably some stuff in here that her family may be embarrassed past, merely she just "wrote the truth, and information technology made me feel improve." And then, it has the experience It is often difficult to write a review of a memoir, because you desire to avoid passing judgment on a person's life. So, I try to focus on what well-nigh someone's life story tin can exist helpful and inspiring to others and how much is the memoirist willing to share with the public. By this measurement Gabourey has done a great chore. As she acknowledges, there is probably some stuff in here that her family may be embarrassed by, simply she but "wrote the truth, and it fabricated me feel amend." So, it has the feel of authenticity and her parents, if they read it, will notice out she one time worked equally a phone sex activity girl and has some funny memories to share about that and a host of other things.

She has get comfortable in her ain skin, although that wasn't always the case and that journey to comfort is instructive and inspiring for anyone who has experienced uncomfort with beingness their true self. Plenty to smile at here and some blench worthy moments just a most enjoyable and fun voyage.

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Jul 18, 2017 Nakia rated it liked it

In This Is Just My Face, Gabourey Sidibe discusses her very unusual life: parents who married simply for her father'south American citizenship; a father who was a polygamist; a mother who is a well-known subway singer; her battles with astringent low and eating disorders; being a phone sex operator; and the remarkable steps leading to her office in "Precious".

Sounds heavy just she keeps information technology lite and interesting with humour and wit along the way. The saddest role is the amount of ridicule and bullying sh

In This Is Just My Face, Gabourey Sidibe discusses her very unusual life: parents who married only for her father's American citizenship; a father who was a polygamist; a mother who is a well-known subway vocalizer; her battles with severe depression and eating disorders; being a phone sex operator; and the remarkable steps leading to her part in "Precious".

Sounds heavy just she keeps it calorie-free and interesting with humor and wit along the style. The saddest office is the amount of ridicule and bullying she endures near her looks. People tin be really, actually terrible. But, Gabourey pushes through it. She'southward stronger than I could ever be.

This was a great book order choice. A lot to discuss.

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"And she's telling you she's not going...."

Dreamgirls' Effie White character can best sum up who actress Gabourey Sidibe is. Smart, talented, and beautiful, she is well aware of her plus size status and is unapologetic most information technology. She just doesn't need you to be rude about information technology.

From her star making debut as Precious Jones in the film Precious, Gabourey has dealt with issues of her body image, eating disorders, and fair share of bullying from her classmates. Notwithstanding, that hasn't deterred her from emb

"And she's telling you she's not going...."

Dreamgirls' Effie White character tin can best sum up who extra Gabourey Sidibe is. Smart, talented, and beautiful, she is well aware of her plus size status and is unapologetic nigh it. She only doesn't need you to be rude near it.

From her star making debut as Precious Jones in the film Precious, Gabourey has dealt with issues of her body prototype, eating disorders, and fair share of bullying from her classmates. Still, that hasn't deterred her from embracing life and becoming the success that she is today.

Growing up in New York City every bit the child of a Senegalese cab driver for a father and a difficult working subway vocalist for a mother, it is no wonder that Gabourey would accept an usual upbringing that shaped the person she was about to get. In her volume, she details her begetter'south polygamist traditions which put a strain on her parents spousal relationship but somehow manage to finish college while supporting herself equally a phone sexual activity operator. She also goes into particular about the difficulties of being a full sized extra in Hollywood, especially with an industry that is body conscious.

Ane affair to note is that Gabourey wrote every word in her autobiography. Certain, it's simplistic in its manner and appears more of a personal diary but at to the lowest degree she didn't hire a ghost writer to translate as most glory bios usually practice. You accept to commend the girl for making the book her own.

This is Just My Face is a fun, light read and one to enjoy for a plane ride. Plus, Gabourey is but so adorable and likable. How can you not beloved her?

Like I quote from Dreamgirls, "And...y'all...and you...are gonna love...ME!!!!"

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Relatable, funny and an enjoyable quick read. I liked the sound bites from her social media which really requite you a sense of the author's sense of sense of humour. Relatable, funny and an enjoyable quick read. I liked the sound bites from her social media which really give yous a sense of the author'due south sense of humour. ...more

May 22, 2017 Smoran8m rated information technology really liked information technology

Yes, yes, yes, yep yes.
Get-go, memoirs should e'er be listened to in audio with the author reading them. Sound format at its best. And Gabourey (rhymes with cabaret) is perfect at this. She talks to "yous" the reader and at outset information technology is formal, only later on sharing her innermost thoughts and secrets she gets comfortable and starts treating you (the reader) like a dear, quondam friend. She tells you secrets and begs you non to tell her mother.

The volume is hella-honest, and doesn't claim to be anything i

Yes, yes, yes, yes yeah.
First, memoirs should always exist listened to in sound with the writer reading them. Audio format at its best. And Gabourey (rhymes with cabaret) is perfect at this. She talks to "you" the reader and at beginning it is formal, merely afterwards sharing her innermost thoughts and secrets she gets comfortable and starts treating you (the reader) like a love, one-time friend. She tells you secrets and begs yous non to tell her mother.

The volume is hella-honest, and doesn't claim to be anything it isn't. If y'all are triggered by weight loss talk or bulimia, skip Chapter 11 (MYOB - listen your ain body) and if yous are triggered past hearing how and why she decided to undertake gastric featherbed, skip chapter 17 (volition I still be beautiful when I'g not fat) Believe it or not this is not a volume about existence blackness or being fat. Her weight and her race come up, only except for these two capacity they are not focal points.

If yous are triggered by depression or bullying or blasphemous, this might not be the book for y'all.

Gabourey has a black-belt in sarcasm, is funny and confident and sensitive. She is a contradiction and recognizes that she can hate something/someone and love information technology/them at the same time. (Twitter, Oprah, her father). She seems honest and brave and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

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Jun 24, 2017 BookOfCinz rated it really liked it

Wow! What an engaging, delightful, surprising read- I devoured this volume in a day, that is how enjoyable this book was.

Gabourey (NOT GABBY!) Sidibe is best known for her roles in Precious, The Big C, Empire etc. I showtime saw her when she starred in Precious and and then after in Empire. I wouldn't telephone call myself a large fan, and I am normally non ane for young celebrities writing memoirs, it usually comes off as shallow and self-absorbed- most of what they accept the say doesn't add to the conversation and

Wow! What an engaging, delightful, surprising read- I devoured this volume in a day, that is how enjoyable this book was.

Gabourey (Non GABBY!) Sidibe is best known for her roles in Precious, The Big C, Empire etc. I offset saw her when she starred in Precious and so after in Empire. I wouldn't phone call myself a large fan, and I am usually non one for young celebrities writing memoirs, information technology usually comes off as shallow and self-captivated- nigh of what they have the say doesn't add together to the conversation and is normally eyerolling- that wasn't the example with Garbourey.

I absolutely loved how real Garourey was in her book, This is Just My Face: Effort Not to Stare . Afterward finishing this novel I felt similar we were besties- no lie, I actually started post-obit her on twitter and then nosotros can talk (lol). I am a sucker for a peachy title and book embrace, this was backed up a thoroughly enjoyable, insightful read. I loved how the book felt like a conversation, I actually read the entire novel in my head using Gabourey'south voice.

Its great when you get merely a raw look at how fame changes people and those effectually them, i of the things that stood out for me was how much was expected of her after her showtime office in Precious, how things remained the aforementioned and she showed upward to red carpets in less than spectacular wardrobe. Another was how mean and rude people can be, she spoke nigh how people felt the demand to give her health communication in the near obnoxious way.

Honestly, no memoir gets whatever realer like this. Gabourey KEEPS. Information technology. Existent. and keeps you laughing out loud in the process.

This is definitely a must read for me! I am at present a large fan and twitter follower.

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It was very interesting reading this book right later reading Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Trunk. The differences are stark and led me to ane conclusion - Sidibe wrote this volume too before long. Both she and Gay have bug, traumas, histories - stuff. The difference is the perspective on the stuff. Gay writes from a place of agreement, having washed some serious self-assay work to see the root of her issues, the ways she contributes and belays them, and the reasons for the feelings she has near her southward It was very interesting reading this book correct subsequently reading Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Trunk. The differences are stark and led me to i determination - Sidibe wrote this book too soon. Both she and Gay have issues, traumas, histories - stuff. The difference is the perspective on the stuff. Gay writes from a place of agreement, having washed some serious self-analysis work to encounter the root of her issues, the means she contributes and belays them, and the reasons for the feelings she has nearly her stuff. It'south still messy and unkempt, but she truly knows it and is willing to put it on the tabular array.

Sidibe, on the other hand, doesn't even have a grasp on what her stuff is, much less its origin story or the true bear on it has in her life. She references major life bug and challenges with the glibness most would give to a basketball game without closer examination. At that place are also "immature" things that are clearly "young." If you lot have to go through several rounds of games to determine if you are on a date, y'all clearly have not outgrown your tolerance for that foolishness. A doctor putting you on medication for your diabetes equally opposed to the claret sugar monitoring with needles is not an issue of your md beingness "chill;" it's an issue of how far your diabetes has progressed. While she does accept an interesting story to tell, it would exist fifty-fifty more interesting and captivating if she had true perspective when she told it.

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This was a quick, entertaining read, mostly fluffy but with some strong moments. I similar Sidibe'south voice, but I felt like she nonetheless had a lot of things to process before publishing her memoir (she said the book was cathartic for her, and helped her forgive her father, which I thought was cute). Even the lessons she seemed to say she learned about herself are muddled. Non a bad book, but I think it suffers from MWY syndrome (memoiring while young).

I liked this scrap though, "How many psychics d

This was a quick, entertaining read, mostly fluffy merely with some stiff moments. I like Sidibe's vocalism, only I felt like she still had a lot of things to process before publishing her memoir (she said the volume was cathartic for her, and helped her forgive her begetter, which I thought was cute). Even the lessons she seemed to say she learned about herself are muddled. Non a bad book, but I call back it suffers from MWY syndrome (memoiring while young).

I liked this bit though, "How many psychics does it take to convince a sad niggling girl that she can be much more than than the earth is telling her she is? None. She's got to be able to convince herself to show up for her ain life."

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May 21, 2017 Brittany rated it it was amazing

In This is Only My Confront, Gabourey Sidibe is very candid and owns not only her amazing moments but also her less flattering and embarrassing moments every bit well. I don't recollect you need to be a fan of her work to appreciate what she writes. The book is written like yous are speaking to i of your all-time girlfriends, similar to Leah Remini'due south Troublemaker. I found myself identifying Sidibe's story with aspects of my own life and those of other females around me, I think this is a bully book to add to my " In This is Just My Face, Gabourey Sidibe is very aboveboard and owns not only her amazing moments but also her less flattering and embarrassing moments too. I don't think y'all need to be a fan of her work to capeesh what she writes. The book is written like you lot are speaking to one of your best girlfriends, similar to Leah Remini'south Troublemaker. I establish myself identifying Sidibe's story with aspects of my own life and those of other females around me, I recall this is a great book to add to my "women who boot ass" book collection! four.5/5 ...more

Gabourey Sidibe is an award-winning actress who is best known for the championship part of Precious, based on the novel Button by Sapphire. She has since starred as Queenie in FX'southward American Horror Story: Coven and Denise in Difficult People, and can currently be seen every bit Becky on Fob'south smash-hit awareness Empire. Sidibe recently fabricated her directorial debut with the brusk moving picture, The Tale of 4. This Is Merely Gabourey Sidibe is an honour-winning actress who is best known for the title role of Precious, based on the novel Button by Sapphire. She has since starred equally Queenie in FX's American Horror Story: Coven and Denise in Hard People, and can currently be seen equally Becky on Play a trick on'due south boom-hitting sensation Empire. Sidibe recently made her directorial debut with the short film, The Tale of Four. This Is Merely My Confront is her first book. She was born in Brooklyn and raised in Harlem, New York. ...more than

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