Let me tell you something - being thought of as a beautiful woman has spared me nothing in life. No heartache, no trouble. Love has been difficult. Beauty is essentially meaningless and it is always transitory.

I am so ready to be a mommy. I can't wait. I notice every little baby dress, every little baby toy, every little baby thing.

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

I know I'm only one human being and I'm only making one tiny contribution and it's nothing more than that.

This moment is so much bigger than me. It's for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.

I was black growing up in an all-white neighborhood, so I felt like I just didn't fit in. Like I wasn't as good as everybody else, or as smart, or whatever.

The day I saw my mom eating the Santa cookies on the plate was one of the most horrific days of my life.