--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was 19, 20 I faced rejections…" description: "\"When I was 19, 20 I faced rejections. When I turned 20 I signed my south film and by the time I was 23, I had done three south films. I would go to dif..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e74/nikki-tamboli-26797_dance_when-i-was-19-20-i-faced-rejections-when_1038585.jpg" --- # When I was 19, 20 I faced rejections. When I turned 20 I… ![“When I was 19, 20 I faced rejections. When I turned 20 I signed my south film and by the time I was 23, I had done three south films. I would go to different production houses everyday for auditions and they would reject me saying you cant talk, smile, dance or act.” quote by Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e74/nikki-tamboli-26797_dance_when-i-was-19-20-i-faced-rejections-when_1038585.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e74/nikki-tamboli-26797_dance_when-i-was-19-20-i-faced-rejections-when_1038585.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e74/nikki-tamboli-26797_dance_when-i-was-19-20-i-faced-rejections-when_1038585.jpg) > “When I was 19, 20 I faced rejections. When I turned 20 I signed my south film and by the time I was 23, I had done three south films. I would go to different production houses everyday for auditions and they would reject me saying you cant talk, smile, dance or act.” [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Persistence turns early rejection into later success through relentless effort and self‑belief. **In simple terms:** Keep trying despite setbacks. Key Takeaway Never give up; keep pushing forward. Themes determination career resilience Mood determined hopeful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - auditions - film production - career building - networking Key Concepts self‑efficacy growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay motivated after repeated rejection? - What strategies help you improve perceived weaknesses? A Different Perspective Rejection can damage confidence if not managed health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smile/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I would go to different production houses everyday for auditions and they would reject me saying you cant talk, smile, dance, or act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/i-would-go-to-different-production-houses-everyday-for-auditions-and/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [When I turned 20 I signed my south film and by the time I was 23, I had done three south films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/when-i-turned-20-i-signed-my-south-film-and-by-the-time-i-was-23-i/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [I have been involved with 'Spring Awakening' for six years. I am 20 now - I just turned 20 in August - and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lea-michele/i-have-been-involved-with-spring-awakening-for-six-years-i-am-20-now/) [Lea Michele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lea-michele/) > [Yea I just turned 20 so I need to get marriage out my head & love too! I just want to have fun I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/yea-i-just-turned-20-so-i-need-to-get-marriage-out-my-head-love-too-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I didn't turn 40. I turned 20 twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamal-crawford/i-didn-t-turn-40-i-turned-20-twice/) [Jamal Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamal-crawford/) > [“And here's Moses Kiptanui - the 19 year old Kenyan, who turned 20 a few weeks ago.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/and-here-s-moses-kiptanui-the-19-year-old-kenyan-who-turned-20-a-few/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [I had just turned 20, and Jackie told me the only way to be successful at anything was to go out and do it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-aaron/i-had-just-turned-20-and-jackie-told-me-the-only-way-to-be-successful/) [Hank Aaron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-aaron/) > [I've had way more rejections than I've had jobs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-morrison/i-ve-had-way-more-rejections-than-i-ve-had-jobs/) [Matthew Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-morrison/) > [Keep reading and writing, learn how to revise, and push through rejections. My second book, Monsoon Summer, was rejected over 20 times and finally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitali-perkins/keep-reading-and-writing-learn-how-to-revise-and-push-through/) [Mitali Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitali-perkins/) > [I couldn't tell you the ratio, but probably for every job you see me do, there would be 20 rejections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-clarke/i-couldn-t-tell-you-the-ratio-but-probably-for-every-job-you-see-me/) [Noel Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-clarke/) > [Most writers, including myself, had to endure a lot of rejections before finally getting published. You could wallpaper a sizeable bathroom with the rejection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-weeks/most-writers-including-myself-had-to-endure-a-lot-of-rejections/) [Jonathan Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-weeks/) > [“To write a lot, you should rethink your mental models of rejection and publication. Rejections are like a sales tax on publications: The more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-j-silvia/to-write-a-lot-you-should-rethink-your-mental-models-of-rejection-and/) [Paul J. Silvia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-j-silvia/) > [I get rejections from the New Yorker. When I had to give a little talk to the people graduating from the MBA program at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-sessums/i-get-rejections-from-the-new-yorker-when-i-had-to-give-a-little-talk/) [Kevin Sessums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-sessums/) > [“The word 'NO' is the best motivation there is for the storyteller in you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-k-kuykendall/the-word-no-is-the-best-motivation-there-is-for-the-storyteller-in-you/) [A.K. Kuykendall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-k-kuykendall/) > [The usual way - through a long series of rejections, revising my manuscripts, and kept trying again and again. Finally I was fortunate enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-steel/the-usual-way-through-a-long-series-of-rejections-revising-my/) [Danielle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-steel/) ## More by Nikki Tamboli > [I would go to different production houses everyday for auditions and they would reject me saying you cant talk, smile, dance, or act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/i-would-go-to-different-production-houses-everyday-for-auditions-and/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [I am not a trained swimmer nor I know how to drive a vehicle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/i-am-not-a-trained-swimmer-nor-i-know-how-to-drive-a-vehicle/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [There were many people who tried to insult me and never appreciated me in the beginning. The biggest platform for me I would say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/there-were-many-people-who-tried-to-insult-me-and-never-appreciated/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [When I turned 20 I signed my south film and by the time I was 23, I had done three south films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/when-i-turned-20-i-signed-my-south-film-and-by-the-time-i-was-23-i/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [A winner for me is someone who stands up for the right, is honest and can even go against their friends while pursuing truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/a-winner-for-me-is-someone-who-stands-up-for-the-right-is-honest-and/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [Instant attraction is natural, flirting can also happen. But building a relationship takes time. We can't control our emotions. If you feel for someone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/instant-attraction-is-natural-flirting-can-also-happen-but-building-a/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [Honestly, I am a very funny person, and I love making others laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/honestly-i-am-a-very-funny-person-and-i-love-making-others-laugh/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [Bigg Boss' is a show where you cannot fake or act. And most of these television actors pretend to be the characters they play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/bigg-boss-is-a-show-where-you-cannot-fake-or-act-and-most-of-these/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [I like someone who has a strong personality, who speaks boldly and makes people uncomfortable sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/i-like-someone-who-has-a-strong-personality-who-speaks-boldly-and/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [I would travel by train and then would take an auto-rickshaw to travel for auditions and look tests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/i-would-travel-by-train-and-then-would-take-an-auto-rickshaw-to/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [I have many phobias. But there are times when life throws challenges at you and you dont have an option, you cant give up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/i-have-many-phobias-but-there-are-times-when-life-throws-challenges/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [I like to speak the truth. I know people dont like listening to the truth but I like speaking it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/i-like-to-speak-the-truth-i-know-people-dont-like-listening-to-the/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [I have always been a huge fan of 'Bigg Boss'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/i-have-always-been-a-huge-fan-of-bigg-boss/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [Despite facing rejections, I did not give in or take any other route. I was always open to face rejections. I took it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/despite-facing-rejections-i-did-not-give-in-or-take-any-other-route-i/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [My fans down South will definitely watch 'Bigg Boss 14' for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/my-fans-down-south-will-definitely-watch-bigg-boss-14-for-me/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) [Explore all 21 Nikki Tamboli quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) ## More Dance quotes > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I make dance music because I love to dance. But I want to think at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-make-dance-music-because-i-love-to-dance-but-i-want-to-think-at-the/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/) [Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/) > [I like Sam Smith and Taylor Swift. I love pop music, but I also like Sam Smith's slow songs. That would be more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-ziegler/i-like-sam-smith-and-taylor-swift-i-love-pop-music-but-i-also-like/) [Maddie Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-ziegler/) > [I think it's useful to experience other types of dance and other cultures, and the life of a classical dancer these days is certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-bull/i-think-it-s-useful-to-experience-other-types-of-dance-and-other/) [Deborah Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-bull/) > [Everything in dancing is style, allusion, the essence of many thoughts and feelings. The abstraction of many moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-ailey/everything-in-dancing-is-style-allusion-the-essence-of-many-thoughts/) [Alvin Ailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-ailey/) > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [“dances with mine as if we’ve been doing this our whole”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-michaels/dances-with-mine-as-if-we-ve-been-doing-this-our-whole/) [Corinne Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-michaels/) > [My body was so instrumental to how I took pictures: it was practically a dance. I used to use my legs a lot; now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/my-body-was-so-instrumental-to-how-i-took-pictures-it-was-practically/) [Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/) > [I would rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/i-would-rather-learn-from-one-bird-how-to-sing-than-to-teach-10-000/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [If you dance, you dance because you have to. Every dancer hurts, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-dunham/if-you-dance-you-dance-because-you-have-to-every-dancer-hurts-you-know/) [Katherine Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-dunham/) > [I'm not a dancer. Never took a dance class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrishell-stause/i-m-not-a-dancer-never-took-a-dance-class/) [Chrishell Stause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrishell-stause/) > [Being fit is the easiest part of being a dance professional. I used to just throw on a backpack full of rocks and run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-du-beke/being-fit-is-the-easiest-part-of-being-a-dance-professional-i-used-to/) [Anton du Beke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-du-beke/) > [I'm a horrible dancer, but I wanted to record songs that made me want to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lane/i-m-a-horrible-dancer-but-i-wanted-to-record-songs-that-made-me-want/) [Chris Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lane/) [Browse all 9,682 Dance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was 19, 20 I faced rejections. 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