I have made the choices that work best for me. I know I cannot please everyone, and that's fine.

I was the youngest and only girl in a family of two older brothers.

When you're up for an award at the Oscars, try as you might, it's hard to concentrate on the show.

When I learned to sign and speak at the same time, the whole world opened up to me. That's the beauty of encouraging kids who are deaf to use whatever it takes to communicate.

All I can say is I've been reading the lips of bleeped-out words, angry baseball players, and stoned-out rock stars on awards shows for years and it's been hilarious. Everyone is always asking me what the bleeped-out parts are saying.

I got a good handshake. A lot of executives tell me I have the best handshake in Hollywood.

I guess not being able to hear just made me adventurous and daring. And in most cases, that didn't make my parents very happy with me.