After all, everybody has secrets and there are some things that nobody knows about you but only you, right?

My mother never wanted me to focus on my physical self. She always said that beauty is what you do.

Growing older is not such a big deal for me, despite the fears that older actresses have in Hollywood. When I hit 40, for example, I didn't feel 40 - or whatever that is supposed to feel like.

There's a place in me that can really relate to being the underdog. I'm always fighting to overcome the obstacle. I can really understand what's that about.

A person's self-esteem has nothing to do with how she looks.

I've pretty much learned I can let that [being black] hinder me if I want to ... or I can fight for different kinds of roles.

I'm not done with love, but I refuse to settle.