I was born and grew up in Vandalia, Illinois, a small town of about 6,000. It was farm country, and this was the little county seat.

My whole thing is, I collect what I know I want to read, and I have certain bookshelves in my bedroom that contain all the books I haven't read yet.

To make money in New York, you have to add gigs when starting out, so while I was acting quite a bit, I would do modeling.

It's in my nature to feel, 'I could be this! This could be mine!'

I loved New York. I made enough money and studied acting with Kenneth McMillan, which was my first formal training.

New York, oh my God, in my early 20s. I felt, this is home, this is really where I belong.

The thing I always thought of myself as was an actress. I never thought: I want to be. It was always: I am.