If I were Oprah, I would say that Gabourey Sidibe, star of the film Precious, is “having a moment.” In fact, I’m pretty sure that Oprah, who is a producer on the film, has actually said that to her. By now you’ve probably heard her story: she was a college student living in New York City who decided to ditch class on a whim and go on an audition for a small film. Next thing you know, Oprah’s on board, and the thing is a huge sensation. Suddenly, this woman who never planned on being an actress, has not only a Golden Globe nomination, but an Oscar nomination for what was not only her first film role, but her first audition.
It’s a pretty impressive story, but what’s interesting to me is how fun watching it has been. Sidibe came out of nowhere to become not just a well-respected actress, but to be the best talk show guest in the world. If I hear she’s going to be on a show, I absolutely make it a point to watch her, because I know that she’s going to be funny, charming, and put me in a good mood. Just how good is she at being a talk show guest? She has made me willingly watch Jay Leno, not once, but twice. She has a talent, people.
Gabourey Sidibe talks about high koalas and kangaroo balls on The Jay Leno Show
Sidibe appeared on the last episode of The Jay Leno Show to talk about how she got to hang with koala bears while in Australia recently. Apparently eucalyptus gets them high, which I did not know. Also, you can buy a bottle opener made out of kangaroo balls. She’s educational!
Ruminations on Mike Tyson’s face tattoo on The View
Sidibe isn’t a dummy: she understands that dudes with face tattoos are scary. What I love about this is how she’s not afraid to go on the show and talk about this, instead of doing the usual diplomatic Hollywood thing. She straight-up tells the ladies on The View that she just stood still and prayed he wouldn’t notice her. She’s honest!
She is a total N*Sync dork, and isn’t afraid to admit it on The Jay Leno Show
This is from Sidibe’s first appearance on The Jay Leno Show, in a segment called, “Earn Your Plug.” She had to answer N*Sync trivia in order to have her clip shown. This is clearly no problem, as Sidibe has said on numerous occasions that she was the creepy super-fan who would find out what hotel they were staying at and wait outside. She’s not afraid of sharing uncomfortable self-truths!
Sidibe goes over her close encounter with Jimmy Fallon on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
If it’s not clear by now that Sidibe is a big comedy fan, it should be after this Late Night With Jimmy Fallon clip, in which she talks about wanting to be a comedian when she was little, but peaking in the third grade (she so didn’t). She also worked for The Fresh Air Fund before she did Precious, and tried to hob-nob with celebrities. She failed miserably. She’s not afraid to tell someone she’s a fan!
Clacked by Kona Gallagher 
on Feb 12, 2010 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
