I've grown up with girls that are like Precious. I've grown up with people that are like everyone that I read about in that book. And so years later, when I was given the role, I just felt a huge responsibility to show the reality of that situation and to show that we're not making it up.

They try to paint the picture that I was this downtrodden, ugly girl who was unpopular in school and in life, and then I got this role and now I’m awesome. But the truth is that I’ve been awesome, and then I got this role.

I hate Twitter. I think it's disgusting. It's ridiculous that you as a stranger can type something to me, and I see it. Technology has gone too far.

I try to stay off the Internet. Just because people hurt my feelings sometimes.

Representation is very important to everyone, but especially to girls like me, and people like me, whether it be because of my body, because of my race, because of my skin color, because of my awkwardness or where I come from.

I don't know any teenager with a positive attitude.

I think people look at me and don't expect much. Even though, I expect a whole lot.