Octavia Spencer Bought Out A Theater Screening So Underprivileged Families Could See ‘Hidden Figures’

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Octavia Spencer’s mother, who passed away when Spencer was just 18, wanted her children to know that anything was possible.

So, when Spencer starred in a movie about three African-American female scientists and mathematicians who helped send men into space at NASA in the 1960s, of course she wanted today’s underprivileged youth to see it.

To this end, Spencer recently bought out an entire theater in Los Angeles for an 8 p.m. showing of “Hidden Figures” on Jan. 13, according to the Huffington Post.

Based on an Instagram post from Spencer’s personal account, she did this in honor of single parents everywhere.

“My mom would not have been able to afford to take me and my siblings,” she wrote. Spencer opened the available seats to any “family in need” and gave away the tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Even though Spencer’s mom passed away when she was 18, she imparted some profound wisdom that the actress has never been able to forget.

“I had a very strong mom who made me and my sisters understand that there were no limitations on our lives except what we placed on ourselves,” Spencer told People. “She taught us to see people as people. All people. Taught us to understand our place in the world. And our place in the world is, if you want to be a leader, you can be that. There was no glass ceiling until I got into the real world and realized there are glass ceilings everywhere!”

“Hidden Figures” is currently dominating the box office, beating out the likes of “La La Land,” “Sing” and “Rogue One.” It’s empowering message to women and minorities is one that’s certainly seeming to resonate with viewers.

A Michelle Obama said about the women in this “remarkable” film: “They didn’t listen to those doubters. They did not listen to the haters.”

Spencer’s doing her part to spread that message to everyone, even those for whom a movie ticket isn’t part of their budget.

[h/t: Huffington Post]

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Augusta Statz
I have a B.F.A. in Writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design. I’m an avid writer with a genuine sense of curiosity. I feel the best way to absorb the world around you is through fashion, art and food, so that’s what I spend most of my time writing about.

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