When do I feel my best? When I haven't looked in a mirror for days, and I'm doing things that make me happy.

There are people who've said that I'm being brave for being openly supportive of gay marriage, gay adoption... With all due respect, I humbly dissent. I am not being brave, I'm a decent human being... Love is a human experience, not a political statement

When I first thought about becoming Jane Austen I had to forget about the fear, or at least choose something else to focus on because it was becoming paralysing, I couldn't focus. I felt frightened, not so much by her fans' reaction to my performance but that I would be playing someone who I think is a legend, who I respect and admire so much. I didn't want to fail, so I was putting a lot of pressure on myself.

There's something very addictive about people pleasing. It's a thought pattern and a habit that feels really, really good until it becomes desperate.

I'm a wear-my-heart-on-my-sleeve, fall in love-at-first-sight and go with it sort of girl. It's all about having fun with someone and learning how to communicate with someone, in a way that you enjoy.

College is such a unique time because you're learning a little bit how to be an adult. You're learning how to take care of yourself without parental influence, and you're exposed to so many great minds. I feel like I didn't even know how to think until I got to college.

I can think of few things more painful than naming four good things about yourself in front of a room of journalists!