What's interesting is that producers, directors and writers tend to typecast me in terms of whatever movie they've seen me in most recently.

I drink a gallon of water a day.

If my real life was half as exciting as what is reported, I would be thrilled.

Hollywood needs to recognise all shades of African American beauty.

I think there's a lot of things that occur within the African-American community, that we would prefer to stay within the African-American community - that we get a little nervous when you start having scenes or dialogue that we know is going to be viewed and heard on a national or global scale.

I had been living the life that society tends to dictate for women of a certain age. You marry the person who asks you, even though he may or may not be the best one for you. Around the time that I got divorced, I had an epiphany that there is no blue ribbon or gold medal for living someone else's life, for fulfilling someone else's dreams. It's doesn't make you happy. You just end up with a life that's not yours.

In Hollywood, you play a mom and instantly, you've got osteoporosis.