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.

I never wanted to be a model. My modelling career was nothing but a stepping stone to my acting career and that's all I ever saw it as. A pointless rock in the river that has to be stepped on in order to get to the meaningful oasis of acting.

I don't think I'm unlike a lot of people. I am just someone who is trying to find that mate, and I think it's a really hard thing to do.

As a woman, when you embrace where you are in life, then I think the struggle [life] isn't so hard. If you're 42 and still think you're an ingenue, then you've got a problem.

I've always loved the pomp and circumstance of dressing up; the pagenatry and all of the glamour of Hollywood.

I always had to prove myself through my actions. Be a cheerleader. Be class president. Be the editor of the newspaper.

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.