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.

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

I'm not afraid to fall on my face while I attempt new things.

I'm moved by us, our quirks and mistakes. I find inspiration in everything from a piece of art to the hem of a dress. I'm one of those people who sees Frank Zappa in a cup of coffee, or elephants wrestling in clouds. But also, conscious creation of all kinds moves me. And a divinely expressed performance in any genre sets me completely on fire.

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.

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.