I knew I would never be cast as the pretty girl.

Hopefully what you do as an actor is strong enough and has enough of an impact that people get what you're trying to communicate.

It's Aslan, the lion from The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. It's a symbol of my hellish childhood. I struggled through my oppressive teenage years and when I turned 18 I escaped. Like Aslan I was finally free.

I'm trying to just go with the flow and learn from the people around me.

Real tears are not those that fall from the eyes and cover the face, but those that fall from the heart and cover the soul.

If an audience doesn't get that [Black Snake Moan] is a movie about overcoming exploitation, it could come across as incredibly misogynistic. That would be the worst thing in the world for me.

I just want to be married, or just engaged. Basically, I just want a ring. And the tax break.