I just wanted to be who I was, which was like so many other girls I knew. We grew up in the city, had a hard edge and obstacles to overcome, but we were still young and beautiful. I didn't want to be all dressed up, all made up - I wanted to be myself, which hadn't been done before.

People don't expect me to be as funny as I am.

Most times, your blessings are also your curses. And for me, I have this ability to express myself so clearly with pen and paper, but when it comes to expressing myself verbally, I put up a big wall.

I believe in the limitlessness of humans. We're capable of incredible things. At times, that realization is frightening.

The last thing I want is to walk into my house after a long day and see all the Grammys and awards. It would make me feel weird.

Prayer keeps me centered.

I was always amazed the way people would come in looking one way and transform completely to the point where I couldn't recognize their language, their accent, the way they looked, their hair, their face even changed becoming so inside of the character.