Every time you fail, you learn more.

I've actually been given a great gift. When I walk into an audition with a director, I'm carrying no baggage. They haven't seen me in anything, even though I've done nine films.

Maybe that's because there are so few women lobbyists; if they're there, it's for something they strongly believe in, not just for financial gain.

When I first moved to Los Angeles, I don't think anyone knew what to do with me.

I remember being a teenager and having a boyfriend - this guy I thought I was way better than, and completely out of his league. He was a year younger than me. And he broke up with me. It was so shocking, and I couldn't believe it.

I am the first one in my family to go to college and I felt a great responsibility when I was at school, because my family was making so many sacrifices for me to be there. I was raised by a single mother, my grandmother got on the plane and helped me move to New York and moved me into the dorm. It was just a big moment, and, yes, it was my dream to be an actress, but also I didn't want to let them down.

I don't really drink, and I've never been to a rave. I used to cut school to read Shakespeare, not to make out in the park.