On a very practical level, I've learned the importance of circulation socks for planes. I had this awful experience of getting off a flight to go to an event and my feet had swelled. Try getting into heels then! So you put on the socks for the flight, then you can wear whatever heels you want.

And my one prayer to God, the miracle worker, was that I would wake up lighter-skinned.

The muscles you flex in theater are muscles that you really need. I must always find a way to get back there. It's irreplaceable.

It's in understanding yourself deeply that you can lend yourself to another person's circumstances and another person's experience.

No matter where you're from, your dreams are valid.

Oprah played a big role in my understanding of what it meant to be female and to really step into your own power. I wouldn't even call her a role model; she was literally a reference point. You have the dictionary, you have the Bible, you have Oprah.

My immediate family was always very supportive. It was my own fear of the rest of the world not accepting me, the rest of our society not accepting my wish to be an actor.