Imagine being 14 and not knowing where you'll sleep at night. That was Hollywood star Gianna Simone's reality. Growing up in foster care, she faced challenges familiar to many young people with experience in the system. But instead of giving up, she turned her struggles into strength and pursued her dreams. Today, she's an actress, model and producer, inspiring countless other people to believe in themselves.

"It was a really fearful, dark, and turbulent time in my life," Gianna recalled, describing her experience in a group home where she was one of six teens waiting to find a permanent place to call home. "Everyone would want babies, but not a 14-year-old teenager."

Despite the pain and uncertainty of her early years, Gianna refused to let it define her future. She found an outlet in physical fitness, which helped her channel her frustration and build mental and physical strength. "I would work out at a local gym, to get my anger out and to become physically and mentally tougher," she shared. It was during this time that she met Kathy DeMarco, the gym owner who became her biggest supporter and started the process to adopt her. Kathy, who tragically passed away before gaining custody, played a key role in Gianna's life. "She was my guardian angel," Gianna says, " I am thankful for the love she showed me, because it transformed me."

At 16, Gianna dared to chase her dream of becoming a model. Despite countless rejections, she refused to give up. With unwavering determination, she persevered, eventually breaking into the modeling industry. Her success in modeling opened doors to new opportunities, and in time Gianna transitioned into acting. At age 21, she moved to Los Angeles. "I moved from Boston to Los Angeles, and took every opportunity that came along my way, trusting that God had a great plan for my life" she shared.