BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

“Jesus worked for me.” This simple yet profound declaration from Letitia Wright, star of Black Panther, opens a window into a journey of transformation that transcends fame and fortune. 

In an industry notorious for its fleeting accolades and relentless pressures, Wright’s story offers a powerful testament to faith as a foundation for true contentment and purpose.

Known globally for her brilliant portrayal of Shuri, the tech-savvy princess of Wakanda, Wright has been in the spotlight since her teens. Yet, behind the bright lights and critical acclaim, she faced a very real struggle — battling depression and a restless pursuit of success that left her feeling empty. 

As she once shared, she was “chasing, chasing, chasing,” but the accolades and roles she accumulated couldn’t fill the void inside.

It was a pivotal moment when a friend, actor Malachi Kirby, reached out with a simple invitation — a Bible study. This invitation marked a turning point. Wright’s faith blossomed, anchoring her with a new perspective: “I had to find what worked for me and I found that Jesus worked for me.” The grounding she found through prayer and connection with God began to replace her anxiety with peace.

Wright’s perspective on rejection in her career illustrates a remarkable spiritual insight. “I handle ‘No’s now as God’s way of guiding me,” she explained. Instead of seeing rejection as failure, she views it as divine redirection: “What is for me will not pass me by, and if it passes me by, it’s not for me.” This trust in God’s plan allows her to navigate Hollywood’s uncertainties with calm assurance.

Her faith also reshaped her understanding of success and fulfillment. Wright no longer chases “something that is not tangible or not wholesome.” She emphasizes that even if she were to give up everything — the roles, the fame — she would still be happy because of her “faith, the contentment I feel and the connection to God.” This echoes a timeless truth from scripture, reminding believers that true joy and purpose come from God alone.

At the 2019 BAFTA Rising Star Award ceremony, Wright boldly credited God for her journey and survival through deep depression. “The only thing that pulled me out of it was God, my belief, my faith and my family,” she said. Her message to others facing hardship was clear and encouraging: “God made you and you’re important… God loves you. Just let your light shine.”

Letitia Wright’s testimony shines as a beacon of hope. Her story is a reminder that no amount of worldly success can replace the peace found in faith. When the pursuit of acclaim fades, what remains is the sustaining power of Jesus — the one who “worked” for her, changing her life from the inside out.

As Saint Augustine famously reflected, “My heart is restless, O Lord, until it rests in You.” Letitia Wright’s life illustrates this truth vividly: in Jesus, she found rest, purpose, and an unshakable foundation that no “no” or challenge can shake.