Even an Academy Award on your shelf cannot shield you from criticism — Julia Roberts knows that better than most. The Hollywood icon, celebrated for her roles in Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich, recently opened up about how early-career cruelty nearly crippled her confidence, but ultimately taught her the art of resilience.
In a candid conversation with People Magazine, as reported by CNBC Make It, Roberts reflected on how the harshness she once feared became the very lesson that shaped her success.
‘Being embarrassed used to stop me’
Long before her megawatt smile lit up red carpets, Roberts was just another young actor struggling to find her footing in a world that could be brutally unforgiving. “I don’t think I entered into my career with much confidence,” she recalled. “In my early twenties, I encountered a few critical people who were really cruel. Being insecure, it can be crippling. So if someone embarrassed me, it stopped me.”
But instead of letting the sting of rejection define her, Roberts began to treat it as a challenge — a test of character. “I decided to see it as an interesting challenge for me to decide the kind of person I wanted to strive to be,” she said. Over time, the actress learned that every difficult encounter had something to teach her.
From doubt to endurance
Roberts admits her early journey was “more bumps than smooth sailing,” yet she now views those rocky moments with gratitude. “I would think, ‘Okay, there’s a reason why it has to be so hard.’ Now I look at it as some of the lessons that I’m the most grateful for because they proved my endurance to myself,” she shared.
Her story is not just one of cinematic triumph but of quiet self-reinvention — a reminder that even in the glare of fame, confidence is not a constant, but a practice built through persistence.
Resilience at work
Career and leadership coach Phoebe Gavin, also quoted in CNBC Make It, believes Roberts’ experience mirrors what many young professionals — especially women — face at the start of their careers. “We receive a lot of cultural conditioning that makes us very critical of ourselves and very concerned about being judged,” Gavin said.
Criticism, she explained, often reflects more about the critic than the recipient. “When you hear people say critical or mean things, remember that it’s about them. It’s not necessarily a reflection of who you are.”
Turning criticism into clarity
Yet Gavin also reminds us that even the harshest feedback can hide valuable insight. “Sometimes useful feedback can come in very ugly packaging,” she said. The key lies in separating the emotional sting from the practical message.
Instead of internalizing every word, she advises professionals to pause, reflect, and ask: Is there something here I can use to improve myself or my work?
If the answer is yes, it becomes an opportunity. If not, it’s simply noise — best left behind.
In a candid conversation with People Magazine, as reported by CNBC Make It, Roberts reflected on how the harshness she once feared became the very lesson that shaped her success.
‘Being embarrassed used to stop me’
Long before her megawatt smile lit up red carpets, Roberts was just another young actor struggling to find her footing in a world that could be brutally unforgiving. “I don’t think I entered into my career with much confidence,” she recalled. “In my early twenties, I encountered a few critical people who were really cruel. Being insecure, it can be crippling. So if someone embarrassed me, it stopped me.”
But instead of letting the sting of rejection define her, Roberts began to treat it as a challenge — a test of character. “I decided to see it as an interesting challenge for me to decide the kind of person I wanted to strive to be,” she said. Over time, the actress learned that every difficult encounter had something to teach her.
From doubt to endurance
Roberts admits her early journey was “more bumps than smooth sailing,” yet she now views those rocky moments with gratitude. “I would think, ‘Okay, there’s a reason why it has to be so hard.’ Now I look at it as some of the lessons that I’m the most grateful for because they proved my endurance to myself,” she shared.
Her story is not just one of cinematic triumph but of quiet self-reinvention — a reminder that even in the glare of fame, confidence is not a constant, but a practice built through persistence.
Resilience at work
Career and leadership coach Phoebe Gavin, also quoted in CNBC Make It, believes Roberts’ experience mirrors what many young professionals — especially women — face at the start of their careers. “We receive a lot of cultural conditioning that makes us very critical of ourselves and very concerned about being judged,” Gavin said.
Criticism, she explained, often reflects more about the critic than the recipient. “When you hear people say critical or mean things, remember that it’s about them. It’s not necessarily a reflection of who you are.”
Turning criticism into clarity
Yet Gavin also reminds us that even the harshest feedback can hide valuable insight. “Sometimes useful feedback can come in very ugly packaging,” she said. The key lies in separating the emotional sting from the practical message.
Instead of internalizing every word, she advises professionals to pause, reflect, and ask: Is there something here I can use to improve myself or my work?
If the answer is yes, it becomes an opportunity. If not, it’s simply noise — best left behind.
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