Once you figure out what your own thing is it's all about trying to develop shows, programs that can, I guess, enhance what you already have and what you can add to Hollywood.

I did Are We There Yet? because I wanted to do a movie for my fans' kids. Black kids don't really see movies on this budget for them, starring them. And there's so many white kids that love that movie.

Don't want to hear my favorite rapper doin' a love song. If I want to hear something soft, I'll throw on Luther Vandross.

When I did 'Boyz N The Hood', I never thought how we grew up in South Central was interesting enough for a movie.

I care about what I look like on the red carpet.

You have to be able to give the people what you want in your way. And that's how you, to me, become a person that they love and not just a fly-by night actor.

The hardest period for a writer is the period in-between writing. That's when you can go crazy if you don't allow the creative juices to flow.