Letitia Wright spoke of how she nearly quit acting due to a "deep depression" as she picked up the Rising Star Award at the EE British Academy Film Awards.
The ‘Black Panther’ star took home the honour at the annual awards ceremony, which took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Sunday night (10.02.19).
Speaking to accept her prize, she said: "A few years ago I saw myself in a deep depression and I wanted to quit acting. The only thing that pulled me out of that was God, my belief, my family, and an email from BAFTA telling me they wanted me to be a part of BAFTA Breakthrough Brits and it inspired me to keep going. I’m still a work in progress. I want to encourage young people – matter of fact you don’t even have to be young – anybody that is going through a hard time, God made you and you’re important. Let your light shine."
The 25-year-old actress beat fellow nominees Barry Keoghan, Cynthia Erivo, Jessie Buckley and Lakeith Stanfield to the crown.
When Letitia was nominated for the 2019 EE Rising Star Award, she admitted it "meant a lot" to be nominated among "so many talented actors".
She said: "I would like to thank both BAFTA and the jury from the bottom of my heart for putting me forward for the 2019 EE Rising Star Award – it’s a huge honour and a fantastic category to be nominated for, especially as the winner is decided by film fans at home."
Letitia has opened up about her depression in the past, admitting she was "depressed and full of anxiety" before she found fame.
She explained: "I was depressed and full of anxiety. I think it was that pressure to be accepted, to be somebody. When you’re looking outside of yourself for happiness and validation, a mean comment on social media can wreck you. I was OK when I was on set, hiding behind my work, but when I wasn’t acting I was full of fear and doubt, trying to fill this void inside of me any way I could: drinking, smoking. It was bad."
Letitia Wright’s deep depression
