To Craig's [ Brewer] credit, I felt totally safe on the set [of Black Snake Moan] . And because I felt safe, Sam[L.Jackson] had to protect me. He got upset at all the physical stuff Craig wanted me to do. When I start doing stuff like that, all the screaming and running, I kinda go out of my head. I'm not necessarily in my own body anymore.

Well, it's difficult to fall in love with a character when you just read the pilot. You don't really know who the character is.

I am a Christian. I haven't really talked about that before. It is something very private. But I do pray and my beliefs are very important to me.

I don't really need a lot of help from a director.

When I was younger, I did self-mutilate. I'd be upset, so I'd do it, & it would calm me down. It's a horrible way to feel better. But there are two parts of your brain - one that really wants to destroy the other. & sometimes the idea of self-destruction is very romantic. I got over that.

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

I think it's really great to be able to stick with a character for a long period of time. It's not like you have one shot, and that's it.