Born on May 6, 1983, in Brooklyn, New York, she is an acclaimed actress known for her breakout role in the 2009 film "Precious," for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Raised in Harlem, she attended City College of New York before pursuing acting. Beyond "Precious," she has appeared in films like "Tower Heist" and TV series such as "American Horror Story" and "Empire." Her memoir, "This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare," was published in 2017, offering insights into her life and career.