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.

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

While being called beautiful is extremely flattering, I would much rather be noticed for my work as an actress.

Most people I know of that mix have a real ability to be in a room with anyone, black or white.

I think it's always best to be who you are.

Here's the thing - you can't be careful about what you pick because what looks like on paper is going to be a great script has often turned out to be a disaster, so there's no way to know what's going to work or to pick the right thing.

Blackness is a state of mind and I identify with the black community. Mainly, because I realized, early on, when I walk into a room, people see a black woman, they don't see a white women. So out of that reason alone, I identify more with the black community.