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.

When I got to be about 16,17 I got into a beauty pageant and I was allowed to start playing around with makeup.

I find when I have short hair, I feel like I have nothing to hide behind anymore.

What's hardest for me to swallow is when there is a love story, say, with a really high-profile male star and there's no reason I can't play the part. They say, 'Oh, we love Halle, we just don't want to go black with this part.'

After my divorce, I was struggling to find my own voice. Through reading, I gained my power back.

I can't imagine my life without animals. I have two dogs and three cats. Coming home and finding them all lined up at the door waiting for me has got to be one of the sweetest joys of my life.

I'm not afraid of portraying anything on-screen