A viral photo of former “Cosby Show” star Geoffrey Owens working at Trader Joe’s over the weekend has not only launched a wave of defensive tweets in support of him but spurred other celebrities to share how they’ve paid the bills in between acting gigs.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Terry Crews attends the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/VMN18/Getty Images for BET)
Terry Crews
Former NFL player and current “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Terry Crews said he’d be willing to go into janitorial work again if he had to.
I swept floors AFTER the @NFL. If need be, I’d do it again. Good honest work is nothing to be ashamed of.”
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 04: Latavia Roberson performs at The Foundry At Puritan Mill on March 4, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/FilmMagic)
LaTavia Roberson
Ex-Destiny’s Child member LaTavia Roberson shared that she wound up working in a Texas record store after getting kicked out of the girl group.
“I understand #GeoffreyOwens after I was removed from the group I ended up working at a Lil record shop I think in Acres Homes,” she tweeted. “People used to come in just to see if it was really me 😔. However; I still had to feed my family and survive. So 👏🏽👏🏽 to him for not giving up!!!!!”
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 11: Jackee Harry arrives to the opening night of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” at Mark Taper Forum on September 11, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images,)
Jackée Harry
Comedian Jackée Harry said she even considered joining a circus before her pal Loretta Devine lent her a hand financially.
“Once I considered joining a ‘celebrity’ circus until Loretta Devine gave me a loan & some encouragement. We have to stick together, keep our priorities straight & never lose our drive in order to turn things around. That applies to ALL careers in which we hope to find success.”
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: TV personality Nischelle Turner attends the 2016 MTV Movie Awards at Warner Bros. Studios on April 9, 2016 in Burbank, California. MTV Movie Awards airs April 10, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for MTV)
Nischelle Turner
“Entertainment Tonight” host Nischelle Turner explained after she resigned from a job at a local TV station, she was willing to work in retail to make ends meet.
“In 2008, I left a job at KTTV voluntarily. Then the economy crashed & I couldn’t find steady work. I struggled. At one point I called my agent & told her I was going to apply at Target. I wasn’t ashamed. I needed to work. I had bills. And an honest day’s work is just that, honest.”
