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

To make lips look naturally pink, I put on red lipstick, wipe it off, and then apply clear gloss.

The first step is clearly defining what it is you're after, because without knowing that, you'll never get it.

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.

In Monster's Ball I went nude, which was scary, but I took the chance and that's how I like to approach my career.

What's the worst that can happen? If it doesn't do well I can put on my big girl panties, deal with it and move on.

I don't see a white woman. I see a black woman, even though my mother is white. Knowing that has made my life easier, I think.