I was very willing to take on controversial roles that people didn't really want to look at.

Own it. Just take it and say, 'Yes I will be great, I am going to be great.' Great doesn't mean being a movie star, great doesn't mean having millions of dollars. Great means being able to be confident, strong, and a solid human being that has dignity and integrity. That is great.

I started lying about my age when I was 18 to be older. When I turned 21, I started lying that I was 18. It's a weakness in me.

I am a positive person. I never think of the glass as half empty. I just keep pushing forward.

In movies, you have a production assistant carrying your chair around and getting you coffee. In theater, no one carries your chair, no one gets you your coffee, there's no craft service, there's no per diem. The only thing that is provided for you is coffee, tea, sugar and milk. It doesn't matter how big a star you are or whatever.

A lot of women feel ashamed to be weak.

Women of color: if you're over 40 and you get fat, you will work. But if you're hot and over 40 and a woman of color, they don't know what to do with you.