'This Is Us' Star Chrissy Metz Has Inspiring Advice About Following Your Dreams

This Is Us star Chrissy Metz might star in one of the biggest, most popular shows on television now, but she has been very open in the past about what it was like growing up in poverty. She opened up in Glamour about often going without basic necessities:

"I’d be nervous walking home from elementary school, thinking, If that red tag from the power company saying our lights are turned off is on the door handle, I don’t know what I’ll do.

And there were nights my mom wouldn’t eat dinner. She’d be like, 'Oh, I’m not hungry.' I knew she was giving up food to make sure we could eat, but when you’re 9 or 10 years old, you can’t help."

Metz also admitted that she was completely broke when she booked her role as Kate on This Is Us.

"I kept auditioning, with no savings and no money, credit card debt gaining interest. I went on unemployment. I bought ramen noodles at dollar stores. I never had to—God forbid—live on the streets; I moved in with a roommate who told me, “Stay with me until you can afford rent. Don’t give up.” People who supported me were like, “If you don’t have money for food, I’ll cook you dinner. You don’t have money for acting class? Let’s get together and read lines.” I am so grateful that I had such an amazing support system, but when I booked This Is Us, I had 81 cents in my bank account. I could cry right now just thinking about it."

Metz is branching out, recently announcing that she is working on a country music album. She told Us Weekly,

"I’m working on some personal music in the country space which is very exciting. It’s been my little girl dreams, so [I’m] working and cowriting on music. Hopefully, I’ll have some new music come out in the new year, and just cultivating and writing scripts and trying to sell intellectual property of stories that mean something to me."

After finding critical and financial acclaim on This Is Us, it makes total sense for Metz to start branching out. Even if Kate never becomes a famous singer on This Is Us, Metz will in real life!

Metz explained on Kelly & Ryan that in order to chase your dreams, you have to be willing to do the work.

"Don’t give up before the miracle happens because so many times we’re like ‘it’s just not gonna happen.'"

"Do it for the right reason. I think it’s the intention behind it."

"Get a card and make sure you have money for good parking and your gas."

She really does believe in authenticity in her work. She told Us Weekly,

"We all need each other to get it together and that’s the beauty of just being honest. That’s the only thing I’ve been is very vulnerable and honest, and so I’m very grateful that being who I am is helping people not only come together, but is helping me. Suiting up and showing up."