I find inspiration in everything from a piece of art to the hem of a dress.

I knew no one in this business, and the only acting I'd ever done was in a first-grade play. I understood some of my talents - growing up playing piano, and my operatic voice led me to All-State in my first, and only, year of singing - but I didn't yet know all of my capacities. My parents felt helpless, as they knew nothing about this world and couldn't help me in any way except through pure love.

I was risking a very promising and lucrative future in the business world that I was all set up to receive. I stepped out completely on faith. But when I engaged with an audience for the first time, I was right at home. I felt safe, and all of my senses worked together with a certain elegance. I understood flow in the most profound way. I knew then that I had to follow my heart.

I am really fascinated by human beings, fascinated! One thing I loved about living in New York was that I could sit on my stoop and just watch life happen. It was better than any kind of reality television - way more entertaining and enlightening.

My so-called failures have been some of my greatest learning tools. I just make sure to fail up.

It's important to me that I don't take myself too seriously and I have fun with every experience in life. That is the whole point.

I find inspiration in everything from a piece of art to the hem of a dress.