Behind the Camera: Celebrities Open Up About Struggles They Have Been Through

This article was originally published on Starandstyle.com

We tend to see celebrities as sort of invincible, admirable role models whose lives are unfettered by the regular concerns and struggles of your Average Joe. They look perfect and have fancy houses, fancy clothes, and fancy cars. However, many celebrities started from humble beginnings, encountering the same struggles that you or I did while growing up or after they found fame. Come with us as we journey through the tales of many celebrities who overcame difficult challenges on their road to success.

#1: Henry Cavill

Aside from his outstanding jaw-line, Henry Cavill is best known as the most recent Superman. The British actor’s steady gaze and masculine physique exude an easy confidence that hides a more difficult story.

Today, it is something he can joke about, but he didn’t always have muscles of steel. Up until the age of 17, Cavill struggled with his weight. At boarding school, he was teased for being chubby, and he even recalls being nicknamed “Fat Cavill.” 

#2: Alan Alda

Alan Alda is an American actor and six-time Emmy and Golden Globe award winner. Perhaps best renowned for his comic take on World War II in M*A*S*H, Alda is the man behind a number of popular characters. He is one of those Hollywood actors who has just always been around and given great performances.

Yet, his childhood in the 1960s was marred by a severe case of polio. He underwent intense treatment lasting six months, of which he says, “My parents couldn’t afford a nurse and had to torture me themselves.” And let’s be honest, that wouldn’t have been enjoyable for him or his parents.

#3: Kate Winslet

There is no denying that Kate Winslet is world-renowned for both her acting ability and her looks. She has achieved a ranking in the Empire magazine’s 50 Best Actors, as well as being named in People magazine’s Most Beautiful People in 2005.

However, growing up, Winslet’s features evoked less positive reactions from her peers. She recounts being quite “stocky as a child,” explaining why her looks were met with bullying by kids in her school. Needless to say, Winslet had the last laugh.

#4: Hilary Swank

With multiple Academy Awards under her belt, Hilary Swank is a formidable actress. However, the first of those awards came with a touch of bittersweet… Whilst she might viewed as a great actor today, that wasn’t always the case.

When Swank played the role of Brandon Teena, a trans man in Boys Don’t Cry, her performance was lauded by audiences and critics alike. Notwithstanding the quality of her performance, she was paid only $75 a day for her work – not even enough to qualify for health insurance.