Michelle Rodriguez Says Hollywood Felt Like the Devil's World After Strict Religious Upbringing

Michelle Rodriguez got honest about her wild transition from a strict religious upbringing to one of the biggest action franchises in Hollywood. At the 25th anniversary screening of the original“Fast and the Furious”in Los Angeles, the 48-year-old admitted that when she started acting at 20, she felt like she was playing in the devil’s world. Growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness meant no birthdays, no Halloween, and even Disney movies were banned because of“witchcraft.”So you can imagine the whiplash.

But here’s what makes her story so great. She wasn’t in it for the fame. In fact, she said the fame meant nothing to her because of her background. What got her excited? The action. Learning to race cars, shoot guns, break windows, and be violent on screen. All the stuff she was never allowed to do in real life. She even said the religion kind of scarred her for life in a 2015 interview, but she clearly turned that pain into some of the most memorable action roles ever.

Rodriguez has starred in eight films in the franchise as Letty Ortiz, and she showed no signs of slowing down during the anniversary event. Her confession is a reminder that our upbringing shapes us, but it doesn’t have to define us. What’s something from your childhood that pushed you to become who you are today? Tell us in the comments.