In a powerful testament to faith and trusting in God’s plan, Letitia Wright, known for her role as Shuri in Black Panther, revealed how she turned down a high-profile movie role that could have launched her career to new heights.
Despite the allure of starring alongside Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning in a prestigious film, Wright said she heard God’s voice telling her to step away from the opportunity.
The role was seen as a dream job for Wright, one that many actors would have eagerly accepted, but when the moment came, Wright found herself at a crossroads.
“That’s wack,” she said, initially frustrated by what she perceived as an unexpected call from God. “The director had won an Oscar. It was a big deal. I was prepping for it.”
However, over time, Wright came to understand the message.
“I can give you more than that,” God told her, prompting her to ask herself, “Do you trust me? Do you love me?”
At that point, the actress made a life-changing decision. She turned down the role and spent the next several months in prayer and Bible study.
On an interview with Isaiah Robin, Wright explained:
“I gave up that job. I’m understanding why he wanted me to give up that job. I was saying to him I’m seeking you first and I love you and I want to know you, and I never want to put anything above you, but acting was so way high.”
The decision was not an easy one for Wright, especially given her rising stardom. She told her agents in both the UK and LA that she needed time off.
“They were like, ‘What’s going on? We just started. Are you crazy?’” Wright recalled. But she knew this was where she needed to be in her life—focusing on her relationship with God.
Initially, she planned for two months off. But those two months stretched into three, then four, and eventually, seven. During this time, Wright began to wrestle with the idea of quitting acting altogether if it meant following God’s will.
“I felt this was sinful,” she admitted.
After seven months of reflection, prayer, and self-discovery, Wright received clarity. She realized that not everyone is called to be a pastor, but she was still called to serve in her own way.
“Acting will be your ministry,” she felt God impress on her heart. “Where he takes me, that’s where I need to be. That’s where I need to spread the love of God.”
Wright’s decision to step away from her career at such a pivotal moment has now shaped her understanding of her purpose. “People’s souls are dying like my soul was dying, and he saved me. I can’t keep this to myself.”
Letitia Wright’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of trusting God’s plan, even when it leads us down unexpected paths.
