Madeline Carroll Chooses God Over Success In Hollywood
April 10, 2019
Christian celebrity Madeline Carroll struggled to find work in Hollywood after turning down jobs requiring nudity. In fact, she nearly gave up altogether. Then, Madeline landed a lead role in the faith-based movie I Can Only Imagine. And now, she's using her Christian celebrity testimony to inspire others to stay strong in their faith!
Madeline Carroll was born March 18, 1996, in Los Angeles, where she started acting around the age of three. But Madeline's parents raised her with strong Christian morals. And eventually, she'd have to choose between God and her career in Hollywood.
RELATED: Movie Blockbuster Star Shares Testimony Of Choosing God Over Career
As a child, family-friendly roles were fairly easy to come by. And the first big hit in the way of Madeline Carroll movies was Swing Vote, where she co-starred as Kevin Costner's daughter.
View this post on Instagram
From there, the Christian celebrity enjoyed more success in films like The Spy Next Door and Mr. Popper's Penguins. But as she got older, things changed. Hollywood started trying to guide her down a very different path. And Madeline eventually arrived at the choice all Christian celebrities must face -- God or fame?
Madeline Carroll Movies Test Her Faith
The roles offered to Madeline Carroll age three were wildly different from the job offers she got as a teen.
It started out with a superhero franchise that would have launched her into the big leagues. And it was a very tempting offer.
“This really big door opened for me. . . I was going to get to play a superhero,” Madeline explained. “God kind of laid everything before me -- fame, money, fortune. I wasn't gonna have to audition again, I was getting a ridiculous amount of money for the first movie, getting more for the second."
It was an aspiring actor's dream. But it would also require Madeline Carroll to budge on some of her core values.
"I read the script. And it just wasn't something that I knew God wanted me to do," the Christian celebrity said. "And I ended up passing on it and turning it down.”
It was a huge sacrifice. And Madeline still remembers her mom's wise words of consolation:
“It’s better, Madeline, to err on the ways of righteousness than err on the ways of the world.”
Christian Celebrity Nearly Gives Up
From there, things only got harder as Madeline entered high school.
“I was going to be the – you know – teenage girl that wanted to sleep with everybody in the school,” she said, describing roles she rejected.
Madeline had gone from a promising career to no work at all. And it was really taking a toll.
The roles offered to Madeline Carroll age 19 now included full-on nudity, which she emphatically refused.
RELATED: Actor Neal McDonough Testimony Of How Staying True To Faith Lost Him Jobs In Hollywood
Her agent said she was crazy to give up all the money and fame before her. The agent pressured Madeline to either compromise her morals or give up her dreams of acting.
"Madeline, if you don't want to do nudity, I don’t know what to tell you. Because that’s literally all there is in this industry," she recalled her agent saying.
Thankfully, Madeline's persistence endured. And just when things seemed impossible and Madeline Carroll started to give up, God blessed her faithfulness!
Madeline Carroll 2017 Breakthrough
By 2017, Madeline had had all she could take. She planned on calling her agents to tell them she was done. But first, she prayed.
"God, if you’ve still called me here, and this is what you want from me, then you have to send me something," Madeline recalls praying. "And better yet, send me something that would edify you. And that’s how I'll know that I’m still called to be here.”
That's when she landed a lead role in the faith-based film I Can Only Imagine.
RELATED: Dennis Quaid Talks Faith And The ‘I Can Only Imagine’ Movie
The timing was clearly divine, coming to Madeline Carroll at a time when she says, "I was really broken and depressed."
I Can Only Imagine, which released in 2018, tells the story behind the MercyMe hit song, along with the life story of Christian band's lead singer, Bart Millard. The movie surprised Hollywood by opening in the Top 5 and ending its run with an $83 million gross.
But the movie was also an answered prayer for Madeline Carroll. Not only did the blessing put "fresh air in my lungs to continue." It also confirmed Madeline's belief that God had given her the gift of acting for a purpose.
View this post on Instagram
And that's why she's using her Christian celebrity testimony to inspire others.
"I don't believe God would give you something that you wouldn't be able to use for His glory," Madeline Carroll said. "I don't believe you have to compromise who you are as a person in order to do what God has called you to do."
There's really something to be said for a young woman who stays true in Hollywood. Well done Madeline Carroll!
h/t: Christian Headlines
Featured Image Credit: Madeline Carroll Instagram
Christian Celebrity Stories
This article is just one of many articles featured on GodUpdates about Christian celebrities and their faith. Here is a small sampling of other inspiring testimonies and stories we thought you may like!
- 4 Celebrity Testimonies You Can't Miss
- Did You Know These 10 Hollywood Celebrities Are Christians?
- 7 Reasons To Love Bear Grylls. This TV Adventurer's Faith Will Move You!
- Hollywood Actor Chris Pratt Shares About Being ‘Pro Jesus" In A Recent Interview
- TV News Anchor Ainsley Earhardt Shares Testimony Of Putting God First
- Dolly Parton Reveals How Faith Saved Her from Suicidal Depression
- Country Superstar Luke Bryan Opens up About the Death of His Brother
- Christian News Anchor Refuses To Work On Sundays
- Josh Groban Walked Out Of A TV Interview To Stay True To His Faith
- Simon Asks Fellow Celebrity To Help Father Of 6 On AGT
- 7 Touching Testimonies by Christian Celebrities
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for the One Whose Life Feels Empty and Unfruitful - Your Daily Prayer - May 20
We all have those dark, lifeless places where we think nothing good can happen. As we grieve these areas of life, may we, like Hannah, turn to the Lord in prayer.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for the One Whose Life Feels Empty and Unfruitful - Your Daily Prayer - May 20
We all have those dark, lifeless places where we think nothing good can happen. As we grieve these areas of life, may we, like Hannah, turn to the Lord in prayer.
Past Stories
- Pilot’s Final Flight Was Canceled, Then a Rival Airline Gave Him the Goodbye He Deserved
- First Grader Saves His Classmate From Choking, Now An Honorary Member of the Fire Department
- Couple Delivers Their Own Baby Girl at a Stoplight, Not Making it to the Hospital in Time
- After 30 Years Apart, These Siblings Found Each Other Again in a Retirement Home
- He Helped Deliver Her, Then Became a Lifelong Friend—22 Years Later, He Watched Her Graduate
- 7 Country Songs For Graduation Day and Graduates
- Top 10 Christian Graduation Songs For the Graduate
- A Grandpa Just Completed the World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle, 60,000 Pieces in All
- Memorial Day Cookout Hacks and Tips Worth Celebrating
- What It Actually Means to Forgive Someone Who Never Apologized
- 95-Year-Old Veteran Honored by Schoolchildren in Sweet Birthday Celebration
- Dolly Parton Gives Update on Her Health and Life After the Loss of Her Husband
- A Beautiful Reunion at a California Hospital Brings NICU Families and Care Teams Back Together
- Teens Receive Unexpected Surprise After Being Spotted Praying Before Prom
- 91-Year-Old Man Becomes Grandfather For the First Time, and Beats a World Record
- 20+ DIY Projects To Get Your Garden & Yard Ready For Spring
- Coffee Shop Creates Opportunities for Workers with Disabilities, and Inspires a Community
- Denny’s Busboy Serves for 48 Years—Then Is Honored with a Heartwarming Celebration
- Facing a Rare Cancer Diagnosis, This Teen Found Joy in a Hospital Prom
- A Football Player Met a Boy Selling Lemonade Alone, His Act of Kindness Sparked Hope
- Finally Seeing with My Own Eyes
- At 90 Years Old, Bruce Willis' Mom Has Been Volunteering For the LAPD, For Over 20 Years
- Woman's Boyfriend Proposes Right After She Completes a Triathlon, 'It Was Such An Amazing Feeling'
- 5-Year-Old is Now a Hero After He Saves Family From House Fire
- 'Mother' - Sugarland Tribute To Moms For Mother's Day
- Diagnosed with Leukemia, This Teen Still Completed a Full Marathon From the Hospital
- Couple Married Over 70 Years Pass Away Within Hours of Each Other, and It's Quite the Love Story
- Family Grows From One Child to Five With the Birth of Quadruplet Girls
- Teens Keep Their Childhood Promise They Made At Age 7 and Are Heading to Prom Together
- Aunt’s Life-Saving Gift Gives 2-Year-Old a Second Chance After Cancer Battle
- Don't Let Someone Else's Experience Keep You from God
- He Fought in 3 Wars, Now This Veteran Is Celebrating 100 Years of Life
- High Schoolers Take a Class and Give Back By Fixing Cars and Donating Them to Single Moms
- Husband and Wife Act as ‘Guardian Angels’ During Terrifying House Fire Rescue
- These Women Are On a Mission to Help Seniors Feel Independent Again, One Boutique at a Time
- Couple Surprises Grandma and Other Guests at Engagement Party By Turning it Into Their Wedding
- Toddler Shows Act of Kindness to Stranger at McDonald's, 'He Loves Everyone'
- Entrepreneur With Down Syndrome Turns Passion for Grilling Into a Global Barbecue Sauce Brand
- Getting Ready for Her Before I've Met Her
- Blogger's Mother's Day Tribute To Those Struggling To Become A Mom
- Fellow Bus Drivers Jump Into Action to Save Co-Worker Having a Medical Emergency
- Hero Principal Named Prom King After Stopping a School Shooter
- Former Janitor Becomes a Doctor at the Same Hospital Where She Once Cleaned
- When a Church Leader Collapsed, This 9-Year-Old’s Brave Response Made All the Difference
- 84-Year-Old Hero Honored for Selfless Decision to Give a Kidney to His Son-in-Law
- Heartbroken Mom Honors Her Late Son’s Legacy by Dancing With the People He Helped Save
- Ball Brothers Music Video For 'Hey Mama' For Mother's Day
- Mother's Day Poem For Adopted Baby
- 18-Year-Old Wins the National Grocery Bagging Championship After Training For Months
- Courthouse Relies on a Four-Legged Staff Member for Support and It's the Biggest Blessing
Top Music Videos
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson ‘Hold Your Horses’ Official Music Video
We The Kingdom We The Kingdom Powerful ‘Dear Jesus’ Performance Video
toby mac TobyMac Drops ‘Heaven On My Mind’ Official Music Video
Nichole Nordeman 'Slow Down' - Nichole Nordeman Sings Emotional Love Letter From Moms To Their Babies
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson's Powerful ‘God Story’ Official Music Video
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.