Jameela Jamil Reveals She Had Just $17 When Cast in 'The Good Place'

Key Takeaways

Jameela Jamil faced financial hardships with only $17 in her account.
She transitioned from a presenter to an actress.
The casting in The Good Place was not initially her goal.
Jamil emphasized the importance of opportunities.
She values hard work and gratitude in her career.

Los Angeles, March 5 (NationPress) Actress Jameela Jamil has shared insights about her life and career prior to her casting in the acclaimed sitcom, “The Good Place”, featuring Kristen Bell.

The 39-year-old appeared on David Tennant's podcast, “David Tennant Does a Podcast With…”

Created by Mike Schur, “The Good Place” debuted in 2016 and continued until 2020. Jamil played alongside Kristen Bell, Manny Jacinto, William Jackson Harper, and Ted Danson, as their characters navigated the complexities of the afterlife.

She revealed that before securing her role, she departed from her job as a presenter in 2015.

“I just didn’t want to be on television anymore, and I aspired to be a writer and DJ, so I just left,” she recounted to Tennant.

Jamil mentioned she joined her then-boyfriend, a musician, on tour, as reported by people.com.

“Eventually, I ran out of money and pleaded, ‘Can I have a job, any job? I was so desperate for cash at that moment. I had just $17 left in my bank account,” she shared.

“I was incredibly eager.”

“Instead, I received a series of auditions,” she disclosed, noting one was for hosting a magic show in Las Vegas, while another led to her eventual role in The Good Place.

However, she initially hesitated to audition for the role, feeling she had “never acted before and thought that was sacrilegious.”

She recognized that such a career shift is uncommon.

“It’s like, ‘Stay in your lane,’ and my reason for leaving was partly to pursue writing,” she elaborated.

Jamil mentioned she pitched a show, and that script encouraged executives to suggest she audition for The Good Place.

She recalled, “They were the ones who advised me, ‘You should go audition for Mike Schur. You’ll gain more power as a writer if you have a name, or you can meet him and potentially join the writer’s room.’”

“So, I attended the audition, not expecting anything to materialize,” she said. “I was offered both the magic show and a chance with Mike Schur, but I had to choose as both opportunities couldn’t coexist.”

She concluded that she was “nudged towards taking the role in The Good Place.

Throughout her career, Jamil expressed feeling “at the right place at the right time.” She added, “It’s absurd and wonderful because it means I’ve never faded away… as I’m acutely aware that I don’t fit in here.”

“Yet, I’m enjoying myself and putting in hard work because I genuinely care about not disappointing those who’ve taken a huge risk with me,” she stated.