Even though the story [Fences] is set during the 1950s, some contemporary women might have trouble understanding her decision.

You never know how you're going to affect people.

When you look in one direction where Troy's chair was, you could see out through the yard across the street, there was an old cork bar advertisement for five cents. We wanted it to feel like this was real life [in Fences] and that it extended blocks and blocks.

I actually don't hang out with any celebrities. My closest friends are old friends. And my real close friends, none of them are actors.

I asked my mother I said, "You divorced my dad, how did you decide? She said, "I decided twelve years before he knew it." I was like wow; I'm learning something new every day.

Don't be afraid to fail big, to dream big.

Acting, it's not my life, my children and my family, that's life. I'll get up every morning, God willing, for that.