Hollywood needs to recognise all shades of African American beauty.

After Halle Berry does her films and Queen Latifah does her films, it's left to all the black, Latino and Asian actresses to fight over a couple of roles. I opted for some TV. There's just not a ton of work in film.

When someone who loves and cares about me compliments me, I feel more glamorous than when the flashbulbs are going off on the red carpet.

I encourage people to ask whatever question you're most interested in hearing the answer to.

In my career, there have been roles I haven't taken because someone involved with the project gave me a bad vibe. I don't care how much money is on the table: No job is worth feeling uneasy every day.

When you want a break from dogs, and you take them to the kennel to the stars, no one thinks you're a bad pet owner. But when you have kids, you can't drop them off for three weeks without someone calling Child Protective Services!

I realized I had been keeping people around even when deep down I knew they were bad for me. I had overridden myself.