Breaking Big

Born and raised in South Africa, Trevor Noah used his mother’s influence to turn the painful stories from his life into a unique voice on the international comedy circuit. But how did his tumultuous upbringing land him in a position to fill Jon Stewart’s shoes on “The Daily Show," one of the most sought-after jobs in all of late night television?

Follow Huang, restaurateur, television host and author of "Fresh off the Boat," on his unique path to the American Dream. The first-generation Asian American credits the influence of his family and the cultural significance of food in his success.

See how Tony Award-nominated writer Gurira made the leap from storyteller to Hollywood superstar. The Zimbabwe native yearned to bring African faces and voices to Broadway through her plays, but ended up starring in the mega-hit Black Panther.

Learn how country singer Jason Aldean battled through constant setbacks early in his career, and ultimately found success with a scrappy, persistent and out-of-the-box approach that led him to country music superstardom.

As one of the original founders of SoulCycle, Ruth Zukerman turned her passion for indoor-cycling into a massive business. But when that partnership ended, she did it again...with FlyWheel. What kept Ruth moving all these years and cemented her place at the heart of the entire boutique fitness world?

Christian Siriano parlayed a lifetime of confidence and a singular vision into a “Project Runway” victory and a women’s fashion empire. How did this sartorial savant traverse rejection from the Fashion Institute of Technology and go on to create one of the most socially conscious and successful fashion lines in the industry?

As a quiet child of Haitian immigrants, Roxane Gay transcended all expectations and became a leading voice in modern feminist movement, with her essay collection "Bad Feminist." But how did she transform a painful childhood into a powerful battle cry and a successful career that would end up helping women around the world?

From NY Giants Hall of Famer, to sports commentator, to popular Good Morning America host, Michael Strahan successfully pivoted from one playing field to another like no athlete had before him. A Super Bowl champion and record holder for the most sacks in a single season, what enabled him to tackle the TV industry and straddle two very different worlds once his time on the field was up?

From representing one of the most conservative districts in upstate New York to filling Hillary Clinton’s vacant senate seat, Kirsten Gillibrand made a name for herself as a politician willing to work beyond simple ideology. What drove her unlikely rise in political capital and propelled her to become one of the leading voices for women’s rights?

Lee Daniels fought his way from West Philly to the red-hot center of Hollywood. Along the way, he held various positions in the industry but ultimately became the storyteller he was destined to be. What compelled him to conquer both the independent and mainstream sides of Hollywood by directing and producing critical darlings like "The Butler" and massive network TV hits like "Empire"?

Former Fox News Anchor Gretchen Carlson shocked the world when she sued the most powerful man in cable news, Roger Ailes, and her employers, for sexual harassment and settled for an unprecedented sum of money. But how did this former Miss America winner and Stanford graduate find the strength to take such a stand and become an improbable voice of justice for working women everywhere?

No one looks for a disaster to cement their own legacy. But when Puerto Rico was slammed by a catastrophic hurricane and the US Government was slow to respond, Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz of San Juan stood up and fought back. Watch as she goes from humble civic leader to become the heroic voice of her struggling island and the Puerto Rican people.