Omari Hardwick played the role of Jamie “Ghost” St. Patrick on the Starz drama Power for six seasons, solidifying himself as one of the top contending actors in the game. However, his road to stardom was long and arduous.

His tale of journeying from homelessness to Hollywood is one to admire. The early stages of his career involved him as the leading man in music videos and roles in low budget films. He also tried working as a stunt double.

Despite constant auditioning, the rejection in the acting world for Hardwick was real. He initially lost a role due to his striking good looks. Hardwick reflects on the moment during his episode of TV One’s Uncensored. 

While working with a new agent, he was sent out on three auditions, the first of which was Gridiron Gang. Hardwick wasn’t phased by the role because he knew the adult lead roles were taken. His agent informed him otherwise, with Hardwick noting that he’d previously auditioned as a stunt double. He got the role anyway.

He also got a part in The Last Laugh. He later learned casting directors for Gridiron Gang felt he was too handsome for the part.

“I got Gridiron on a Wednesday after the casting director originally said Omari is too good-looking to play the part,” he recalls. “I thought that was the craziest thing I’d ever heard.”

He landed the role in the film thanks to his genius of roughing up his look during a separate audition. He transformed so well that casting directors couldn’t remember him from his initial audition.

Check out the clip below:

 

Photo provided by TV One