Paula Jai Parker Says She Was Embarrassed To Be Homeless On Show

Life comes at you fast!

Paula Jai Parker Says She Was Embarrassed To Be Homeless On Show

Hollywood Paula Jai Parker said it was uncomfortable sharing her story of homelessness with “Hollywood Divas” viewers; however, she realized there were many people who’d be able to relate to her situation.

Via S2S Magazine reports:

“In this season of our lives, this is what we were going through,” Paula told Essence.com. “I am not the only person going through homelessness… I am not the only person in America right now on unemployment.”

Paula said she wanted her story to encourage other women.

“As I stood in those food stamp lines and humbled myself and did what I had to do for my son…I did it because I want other people to know that they are not alone,” she said. “I genuinely believe that God wanted me to talk about it.”

Though she did want the world to know, Paula said her family and friends were as surprised as viewers to find out how financially strapped she was.

“It was still an embarrassing situation for my whole family, not just my husband but my nieces, cousins, in-laws. The majority of our family found out on national television like the rest of the world,” she said.

While some may question why Paula, and husband Forest, haven’t found work outside of the acting field to support their son, she said she never lost faith that they would find the employment opportunities they wanted.

“I’ve always believed that God will not leave his children in the streets begging, and I always held on. Believe it or not, there was always enough. Just when it all ran out, there was always enough. Maybe not enough to keep me in my home, maybe not enough to keep my cars and things, but there was always enough,” said Paula.

From the outside looking in, many likely wonder how an actress who starred in hit films like Friday and Hustle & Flow could end up on food stamps, but Paula clarified that being an actress doesn’t necessarily translate into wealth.

“Actors, especially Black actresses, we don’t make that much money. The majority of the films that I’ve been in—even though they’ve been successful—they were independent films,” she explained. “Residual checks aren’t what they used to be. You can ask any actor. I’ve gotten a residual check back for $0.00, and they genuinely sent the check to me in the mail.”

Despite the hardships, Paula said she is in a good place now and would not change a thing.

“I wouldn’t because I’m happy, and I wasn’t happy before,” she said.

Paula and her husband can’t find work doing other things?? She doesn’t want her husband to work, yet she claims to be black listed. They are always hiring at McDonald’s, girl….