Jennifer Coolidge inspires graduates to chase ‘absurd possibilities’

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Hollywood star Jennifer Coolidge delivered a memorable and heartfelt commencement speech to Emerson College’s 2025 graduates.

The actress urged the young graduates to boldly pursue their dreams, no matter how wild or “absurd” those dreams might seem.

JENNIFER COOLIDGE’S SPEECH AT EMERSON COLLEGE

Jennifer Coolidge, 63, once walked the very same halls of Emerson College in Boston. This was before leaving to chase her Hollywood ambitions, according to People.

She shared candid stories from her childhood and early career, encouraging the graduates to “just friggin’ go for it.”

Her message resonated deeply, especially for South African youth who face their unique challenges in carving out a future.

JENNIFER COOLIDGE’S JOURNEY

Jennifer began by recalling a childhood memory that many can relate to – a moment of both triumph and embarrassment.

As a young girl, she raced through an obstacle course at school, convinced she had won. But she hadn’t completed the course properly and was disqualified.

“I realised I was going to go the rest of my life as a joke,” she said. This moment of ridicule could have crushed her spirit. Instead, it sparked a powerful shift.

“I began to completely live in my head,” Jennifer explained. “But it also gave me insane expectations for myself – and I believed they were going to come true.”

JENNIFER COOLIDGE’S LOVE FOR GRACE KELLY

Her dreams took a royal turn when she saw a magazine featuring Grace Kelly’s wedding. “I wanted to be the queen of Monaco,” she joked.

“Looking back, it was the one thing I had going for me. I had this thing inside me telling me I could achieve anything – even if there was nothing to back it up.”

Jennifer Coolidge’s speech was peppered with humour and wisdom.

She told the graduates: “When you find the thing you want to do, just friggin’ go for it. Psych yourself up to believe in absurd possibilities. And believe that they’re not absurd.”

NAVIGATING A COMPLEX JOB MARKET

Her words carry weight for South Africans, especially young people navigating a complex job market and social challenges.

Believing in oneself, despite setbacks or societal doubts, is crucial.

Jennifer admitted she was “overly sensitive” and often felt like she was “recovering” from rejection or criticism.

“Don’t listen to the people who mess up the real story you’ve got going,” she urged. “You have to convince yourself you can make it.”

FIND YOUR PATH

Jennifer Coolidge’s advice is universal but especially relevant for South African graduates stepping into a world full of uncertainty.

“It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks or says,” she said. “When it comes to the obstacle course of your life, find your path.

You can’t perfectly plan it. Part of directing your life is just letting it unfold. So let it.”

Her speech reminds us all: life is unpredictable. Success often comes from resilience, belief, and daring to dream big – even if those dreams seem absurd at first.