Who inspired Sarah Paulson to become an actress?

Julia Roberts was a major inspiration for Sarah Paulson, with Paulson admiring her from a young age and plastering her high school locker with pictures of the star.

What movie inspired Sarah Paulson's acting career?

Julia Roberts' 1990 romantic comedy 'Pretty Woman' was a significant inspiration for Sarah Paulson's pursuit of an acting career.

What did Sarah Paulson learn from Julia Roberts?

Sarah Paulson learned that Julia Roberts achieved success by being authentically herself, which inspired Paulson to find and follow her own unique career path.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Sarah Paulson's Julia Roberts Obsession

Sarah Paulson's Julia Roberts Obsession

7 Dec, 2025

•

Summary

Sarah Paulson admired Julia Roberts, pasting her photos on her locker.
Roberts' role in 'Pretty Woman' deeply inspired Paulson's acting journey.
Paulson realized she had to forge her own unique path.

Sarah Paulson recently shared a deeply personal anecdote about her early acting aspirations, revealing Julia Roberts as a profound inspiration. During her high school years, Paulson was so captivated by Roberts that her locker became a shrine of the star's images, and she frequently quoted lines from Roberts' films.

Roberts' performance in the 1990 film "Pretty Woman" particularly resonated with a young Paulson, igniting her desire to enter the film industry. Initially, Paulson attempted to emulate Roberts, believing she could become a "poor man's version" of her idol. This aspiration shifted when she realized the futility of imitation.

Paulson came to understand that Roberts achieved her iconic status by being "unabashedly herself." This realization marked a turning point, enabling Paulson to recognize and pursue her own unique journey in Hollywood, leading to her successful and acclaimed career.