I have so much respect for Sam [L.Jackson] that if I had questions about anything, I would call and ask him if he agreed with me before I brought it up with Craig [Brewer].

I'm really open to everything.

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.

As long as we can tell stories about our ability to survive, the more we will hope, not self-destruct.

I find the less attention I pay to food, the healthier I am.

Recently, I've really responded to books that bring the magic of childhood back to us as adults.

I loved the idea of doing something that has this misconception about what stewardesses were. And, I also love the idea that these girls were navigating a blatantly misogynistic society, with the girdle checks and make-up checks.