Chrissy Metz says she only had 81 cents to her name when she booked “This Is Us,” and her strength is empowering
There’s nothing we love more than a Hollywood success story, and this is definitely one of those. Actress Chrissy Metz opened up about only having 81 cents to her name when she landed This Is Us role, and wow, is it empowering.
In an interview with Glamour, Metz revealed what it took to get to where she is now and it shows SO much strength and courage.
Growing up, the 36-year-old actress didn’t have a very glamorous life. In fact, she struggled to make ends meet, especially when she came to Los Angeles.
The This Is Us star revealed that even after she landed her role on American Horror Story in 2014, the gigs weren’t popping up after that role ended.
"But when it wrapped, there was…nothing," Metz recalled in her Glamour interview. "I almost moved back to Florida, but my mom said, 'You can either be miserable here and not pursue your dreams, or you can be miserable in L.A. and at least pursue what you want.'"
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Luckily for all of us, Metz decided to stick it out and kept auditioning. She was at an all-time low financially when the role of Kate finally came her way.
“I kept auditioning, with no savings and no money, credit card debt gaining interest. I went on unemployment. I bought ramen noodles at dollar stores,” she explained to the publication. “I never had to — God forbid — live on the streets; I moved in with a roommate who told me, ‘Stay with me until you can afford rent. Don’t give up.’”
Even with all of her friends’ help she was the definition of a struggling actor.
“I am so grateful that I had such an amazing support system, but when I booked This Is Us, I had 81 cents in my bank account. I could cry right now just thinking about it,” Metz said.
The Florida native then opened up about the fact that yes, this role has changed her life, but she’s not going crazy with the consistent money.
“You may think, ‘Ooh, you’re on TV, you’re a millionaire!’ No. It’s definitely a lot more than I was making, but I still live with my roommate — though I pay my proper share of the rent now,” the AHS star explained. “Meeting my car payment on time? That’s new. I paid my friends and my stepdad back. And three months ago I finally paid my credit cards off!”
The biggest lesson Metz has learned is that when you have money, you have to give back to those who don’t. Plus, she’s admitted that even she still has that “pinch me” moment on set and it’s so amazing.
"I’ve had women — average women, older women, teenagers — who say to me, 'Your role and this show has changed my life.' That makes all the struggle, all the ramen noodles, all the times when I couldn’t pay my bills, all the times where I was like, 'I can’t do this,' worth it," she said.
“Sometimes I cry on the way to the set still,” she continued. “There is something that happens when you are grateful: You continue to keep receiving blessings. So I will always be grateful.”
Wow, everything that Metz has gone through has made her so strong, and we totally respect that and her journey to success.
