I grew up in Honolulu. It's not the ballet cultural mecca by any stretch of the imagination. People are much more familiar with hula than they are with ballet.

When you feel so strongly about something and other people feel equally strongly, you have to feel stronger about it in order to succeed.

Acting is actually private.

How do you explain certain physical qualities that somehow sell on screen? You're born with it... Certain people are just more watchable, and I was more watchable, but I don't think I understood acting or drama very well when I was a kid.

My fairy-tale life ended the moment I wanted to apply for a passport.

Not very many companies go through Hawaii on their way to anywhere. San Francisco Ballet was the only company I remember, and Bolshoi, coming through Hawaii when I was younger.

Acting for me is not a bad habit like smoking that I must make an effort to quit. I love acting; I love directing.