In Hollywood, the “overnight success” story is rarely as sudden as it seems. Behind every massive breakout role is usually a trail of long hours, odd jobs, and an unwavering belief in the dream. For actor Julian Horton, that journey involved driving an Uber with barely $500 to his name before landing a life-changing role in Tyler Perry‘s massive new Netflix hit, Beauty in Black.
With the dramatic series officially claiming the number one spot on Netflix in the U.S., Horton recently took a moment to reflect on just how drastically his life has changed.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share a photo of the show sitting at the top of the Netflix charts, the actor opened up about the reality he was facing right before getting his big break.
I posted this the other day just reminiscing… didn’t think it would go viral like it did. But let me say this — it’s all about belief and that work . Those who think they can and those who think they can’t… are both right. Even in those long days driving, there was never an… https://t.co/kovlCzb3Rw
— J12 (@JulianHorton12) March 23, 2026
“To think before this show, I was driving Uber and barely had $500 to my name… to now being a pivotal character on the number 1 show in the world,” Horton shared with his followers. Giving credit to his faith and perseverance, he added, “There’s no words to explain how great God is. All it takes is one. Grateful forever.”
His admission quickly resonated with fans and fellow creatives, going viral across social media as a powerful reminder of what happens when you refuse to quit.
Following the viral response to his initial post, Horton followed up with a message about the mindset required to survive the grueling grind of the entertainment industry. For him, the long days behind the wheel of an Uber were never a sign of defeat, but simply a stepping stone.
“It’s all about belief and that work,” he explained in a follow-up tweet. “Those who think they can and those who think they can’t… are both right. Even in those long days driving, there was never an ounce of doubt that I’d be in a position like I’m blessed to be in now.”
Horton also offered some advice for anyone currently in the trenches of chasing their own goals, warning them not to be derailed by the negativity of others.
“Believe in God. Believe in yourself. And don’t let these fear mongering people project their fears onto you. Lotta people gonna hate and project because they’re afraid to do it,” he wrote. “Don’t let nothing stop you. You only got one life. Get after it.”
