I mean, I sing. But I don't think I'm a good enough singer to do any kind of musical.

People feel like they have to live up to being perfect or have a perfect life or be perfectly happy, and it just makes them more unhappy.

I think I've always been interested in playing people who are judged very harshly.

That worries me an awful lot. If people misunderstand our intentions [in Black Snake Moan], especially regarding my character, then they're essentially exploiting an already exploited and abused woman. So it's a huge concern for me.

When I was a little girl - well, like, a teenager - I wanted to be Sam Jackson. I always wanted to be men.

I'm an actor who hates dialogue and the present day and reality.

I think the thing that I always try to do - because it piques my interest - is to play really different parts all the time.