Acclaimed actress and Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer recently shared invaluable advice with aspiring performers, urging resilience, creativity, and kindness as cornerstones of a successful career in the entertainment industry.
Reflecting on her early struggles during a talk at the Kingdom Drama School, Spencer recounted periods when acting jobs were scarce.
“I went through periods of not having a lot of work,” she said. “But if I didn’t keep my day job, my work ethic, or a source of income that kept me vital, I might have given up.”
To stay creatively engaged, Spencer said she wrote scripts, collaborated on friends’ short films, and kept herself busy. Her proactive approach eventually led to new opportunities.
“As a creative person, you have to create,” she said, encouraging students to actively seek ways to nurture their talents.
Spencer also stressed the importance of professionalism and kindness on set.
“Show up on time. Know your material. Be kind to the crew because I can guarantee you, they’re making a lot less money than you are,” she advised.
Her hands-on experience working in various roles on set before becoming a household name helped her appreciate the contributions of every team member.
“Now as an actor, I make sure I take care of my crew,” she added.
In her closing remarks, Spencer urged students to remain open to opportunities and to cultivate positive relationships.
“No one wants to work with an asshole,” she said, pointing out the importance of treating others with respect in the often challenging entertainment industry.
