My biggest life lesson is that money cannot buy happiness.

Listening to my fans and seeing love and support through social media from them is what I live for.

I always feel a bit vulnerable when I begin a new project, especially when I am playing a character with either a troubled past or unique personality.

It's important to have a fallback and other activities that keep you interested. I started acting when I was about nine or 10 years old. My father was a midtown firefighter so I always wanted to be a firefighter, but then acting came along. I have to have a plan B.

Being receptive to what is happening around me gives me inspiration and feeds my desire to create.

It is important for me to truly understand the people I am portraying and their struggles, in order to give an honest performance.

Accepting new challenges makes me come alive.