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.
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.”
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!!!!!”
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.”
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.”