Before becoming a Hollywood sensation and part of a power couple with Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis navigated a life marked by adversity and resilience.
The actress, known for her roles in films like "Black Swan" and "Bad Moms," has been open about her challenging past, shedding light on a journey from poverty and migration to international stardom.
Mila Kunis hails from a family deeply affected by the Holocaust. In a candid revelation to "The Sun" years ago, the actress shared that her grandparents did not survive, painting a picture of her childhood amidst postwar struggles, hatred, and political turmoil. She recounted facing anti-Semitic posters during her school days.
At the tender age of 7, Mila's parents, grappling with the difficult social conditions in their hometown, made the courageous decision to leave everything behind and seek a new life in Los Angeles, initially attempting to start afresh in New York. With a mere $250 in their pockets, the family embarked on a journey that required them to take on various jobs to make ends meet.
The transition to a new country was far from smooth for young Mila. Adapting to a different culture, language, and environment proved traumatic. In an exclusive interview with the "Los Angeles Times," she admitted, "I cried every day. I didn't understand the culture. I didn’t understand people." The actress reflected on blocking out memories from second grade, attributing it to the emotional toll of her daily tears.
However, Mila Kunis channeled the pain of her early experiences into her passion for the dramatic arts. In college, she drew a poignant parallel, saying, "Imagine being blind and deaf at age seven. And that’s what it feels like to move to the United States."
Despite financial hardships, at the age of 9, Mila proposed a life-altering decision to her parents: she wanted to attend acting classes. With meager funds in their bank account, her parents faced a daunting choice. Recalling this pivotal moment, Mila shared, "My parents had $2,400 in the bank account and we couldn't pay it. But my mother took out her checkbook and signed the check." This marked the beginning of her transformative journey.
In these acting classes, Mila Kunis not only discovered her passion but also encountered the person who would become her manager. Despite her family's financial constraints, the businesswoman took a chance on Mila, ensuring she could pursue her dreams. "Don't worry. I will fix everything," she reassured. This leap of faith resulted in Mila landing her first gig – a Barbie commercial, setting the stage for her remarkable career in the spotlight.
