Jessica Chastain Opens Up About Her Rough Upbringing And How It Made Her Strong

Jessica Chastain did not have an easy childhood. The Oscar nominee and critically acclaimed actor had a humble beginning as she watched her family struggle financially, but it helped her grow into the strong woman she is today. “When people see me, I think they expect a different background than I have,” Chastain said in an interview with The Times.

The 44-year-old grew up with four siblings in Northern California and was raised by a single mother who gave birth to her in her teens. The family had days when there was not enough food on the table and they had to go to bed hungry.

Chastain, who had a passion for acting wanted to follow her dream and to pay for her classes, she worked at a performing arts school since “there was no way my family could afford it,” states People.

“There were people that saw I was struggling as a kid, and they helped me,” she added. “And that’s why I ended up where I am now.”

“The Help” actor also attributed her access to Planned Parenthood and birth control for giving her the option to pursue her dreams. “I’m the first person in my family to not be pregnant when I was 17. It had a great impact on my life because it gave me choice,” she added.

Chastain is now a mother to two kids with her husband Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo.

The "Scenes From A Marriage" star then spoke about how she really wanted to make it big so that everybody has equal opportunity irrespective of their background.

"It makes me sick to even say this, but I never think in terms of how do I get more things in this industry. I have a rebellious streak because I grew up with a lot of resentment because we didn't have things, like even food," she said, adding, "I don't talk about it much, but it was really, it was not what you would expect."

"So because I come from that place, I know what it's like. And it makes me angry. And I don't [want] anyone else to be denied anything. In terms of a voice, being seen, being acknowledged and valued," Chastain explained.

This is not the first time Chastain has spoken about her difficult upbringing as a child.

“I did grow up with a single mother who worked very hard to put food on our table. We did not have money,” the actor had previously stated in 2017, to The Irish Times.

“There were many nights when we had to go to sleep without eating,” she shared. “It was a very difficult upbringing. Things weren’t easy for me growing up … Because of my mother, I do always try to think about how something must be for someone else. I’m not so interested in myself. I’m interested in other people.”

Chastain is starring in a new film "The 355" which is now out in theaters.