She started out as a small actress in her own country before becoming a celebrity.

started 是动词 start 的过去式，start 的意思是"开始"。 out 在这里是副词，表示"向外"或"开始"的状态。 started out 是一个短语动词，意思是"最初是""刚开始时"，用来描述某人最初的状态或职业起点。