Coming full CIRCLE

Finding purpose as an artist and entrepreneur has helped Hollywood star Jessica Alba grow into a well-rounded individual, writes Barry Rodgers

- Barry Rodgers

Jessica Alba has always embodied strength. In her films, she portrays characters who are formidable, emotionally resilient, and unwavering in their pursuits. It's as if the roles she's essayed in her over three-decade career on screen could actually serve as a manual for navigating the complex world of Hollywood as a woman. Being passive and compliant isn't her style. Within minutes of conversing with Alba, it becomes evident that she operates from a place of authenticity. She is sharp yet not abrasive in her responses, effectively articulating why she has always maintained a sense of toughness about herself.

"I never let my guard down [as an actor]. I was always pretty tough, pretty in-your-face about it. I probably channelled more of that tough, masculine energy. When I look back at why I was probably so tough for so much of my life, it was probably just to safeguard myself from a lot of people," says Alba. She started her career as an actor at the age of 13 with Camp Nowhere (1994), followed by The Secret World of Alex Mack (1994), and rose to prominence at the age of 19 as the lead actress in the television series Dark Angel (2000-2002), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination.

NAVIGATING FAME

Even though Alba found success at a young age, her time in the industry wasn't traumatic. "I could have been a potential target for a predator, but luckily, I wasn't. There were a few times when things felt uncomfortable, but they never escalated too much, thankfully. I'm truly grateful to God for this because many others haven't been as fortunate, especially starting out young as I did. Having my mom with me all the time really made a difference," she recalls.