Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry recently opened up about her early career struggles, revealing that she once shared a one-bedroom apartment with over a dozen aspiring models, all sleeping on bean bag chairs. During her appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, the 58-year-old actress shared the surprising and humble beginnings of her modeling career.
Berry explained that her journey into modeling began after a beauty pageant organizer encouraged her to move to Illinois to pursue modeling opportunities. “She said, ‘Come to Chicago, I’ll hook you up with modeling, and [you’ll] make a bag of cash,’” Berry recalled. However, the reality of the situation turned out to be far less glamorous than promised.
“She never told me it would be in a one-bedroom apartment with 15 other girls sleeping on the floor in bean bags,” Berry revealed, describing the cramped and uncomfortable living conditions. “I had this idea of what it was gonna be, and then I realized, ‘Oh!’”
Shepard, acknowledging how common these experiences are for struggling actors and models, commented, “We’ve heard this story a few times,” referencing the unglamorous reality behind the early stages of fame.
After enduring six months of living in such cramped quarters with a shared bathroom, Berry decided it was time for a change. She convinced one of her fellow roommates to find their own place, a decision that would mark a turning point in her career.
Not long after, Berry landed her first acting role on the TV show Living Dolls, which eventually opened the door to her breakout performance in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever. Berry’s story serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars often start with humble beginnings, facing struggles and challenges before reaching success.