Sometimes acting and politics make a very bad combination. I think that sometimes people take me less seriously in my work for the UN because I am an actor.

I actually feel that women in my position, when we have all at our disposal to help us, shouldn't complain when we consider all of the people who are really struggling, who don't have the financial means, who don't have the support, and so many people are single raising children - that's hard.

There is no greater pillar of stability than a strong, free and educated woman, and there is no more inspiring role model than a man who respects and cherishes women and champions their leadership.

Actors spend a great deal of their time making films. And that doesn't mean that they're not educated. But we haven't gone to law school and we're not experts on policy. We're just people with a platform and an opinion. But that should never be enough, in my opinion, to be political.

When I get logical, and I don't trust my instincts - that's when I get in trouble.

Maleficent has suffered abuse in the past, and there's a reason why she is now as furious as she is. And I think that children who have been outcast and abused in any way will relate to her. There's a beautiful side to her; she's not just a dark person. She has all these facets. And that is interesting.

When other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers I kind of wanted to be a vampire.