I think we all remember when Halle Berry shot to fame in the 90’s with her cute little animal print outfits in the Flintstones. Playing the sexy secretary may have got her foot in the door but the ambitious young woman was not content to rely on her looks and also took on roles that were less than flattering but showed her range and commitment to her art. Like the role of a homeless crack addict in the movie Jungle Fever, a character that most of young Hollywood would shy away from nowadays. It is her fearlessness and determination that sets her apart and places her squarely in her own league.
To look at the star you would never imagine the horrors that she has endured, could you have guessed that the perfectly poised actress was once involved with an ex who hit her so hard that she lost 80% of her hearing in one ear.
No matter what comes her way Berry holds her head up high. The product of a one parent family she didn’t have the easiest start in life, however she achieved her goals of becoming a beauty queen and became the first African American woman to win an Oscar for her performance in Monsters Ball.
Halle is an unusual mix of proud and humble, this lady does not take herself too seriously and proved this by graciously accepting a golden raspberry for her portrayal of Cat Woman an award reserved for the worst performances.
What I love most is that the icon is relatable as well as being glamorous and stunning; she manages to juggle the stresses of her job with taking of daughter Nahla.
I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the ageless beauty, I only wish I had her confidence.
Martina McCullough