Jessica Alba Opens Up about Taking Survival Roles in Her Early Acting Career

Jessica Alba, recently seen promoting her new Netflix film "Trigger Warning," shared her experiences as a young actress in Hollywood, revealing that she often took roles simply for survival. She also discussed how her journey has shaped her approach to supporting her children if they decide to follow in her footsteps.

In a recent interview with People magazine, Jessica Alba reflected on the challenges she faced as a young actress trying to navigate the competitive landscape of Hollywood. She admitted that she often took roles out of necessity rather than passion.

"You're not always taking the roles that are the best," Alba explained. "You're just taking roles to survive, which teaches grit and perseverance, but I do wish I would've had the skill set and the wherewithal to write and to know about writing and directing and producing earlier in my career."

Alba, who now stars in and executive produces her own films, believes that her early experiences have given her valuable insights into supporting her children should they choose to pursue acting.

"The thing is, I think if you tell your kid anything, they're going to do the opposite, right?" said Alba, who shares three children with her husband Cash Warren. "So I try not to have too strong opinions one way or another."

However, she emphasized the importance of equipping her children with skills that will allow them to take ownership of their art and pursue their creative endeavors with autonomy and dignity.

"If they do want to be a performer, then being able to be a producer and a writer, or a director," Alba explained. "I think having that leadership role is really important to the art and be part of the art in a way where they feel like they can have more autonomy and there's more dignity."

In 2021, Alba explained her decision to step away from acting after the birth of her first child. She cited health concerns and a desire to prioritize her family.

"My mother had cancer at a really young age," Alba told Romper at the time. "Many women in my family have passed from various different cancers, none of them genetic."

Alba's childhood experiences with chronic health issues and surgeries left her with a profound appreciation for well-being and a determination to be present for her children.

"I had this real moment of, I want to live and thrive, and spend as much time with this little person that I'm bringing into the world as possible and stay. So, my health matters. I want this little person to be healthy. And it's really freaking hard to be happy when you don't have your health."

Alba's decision was motivated by a desire to make a meaningful impact through her platform rather than solely pursuing her own career ambitions.

"My motivation was not like, ‘Am I ever going to get hired again?’ Frankly, I was at the top of my career," Alba admitted. "I just couldn’t go back to what I was doing before and be authentic. I just didn’t care about it anymore the same way. It was something bigger."

Alba's journey as an actress and a mother has taught her the importance of adaptability, resilience, and using her experiences to empower others. She continues to inspire others with her authenticity and her unwavering dedication to her family and her craft.