To me, it's always a luxury to be able to work with the best of the best because they make it easier for you to do what you do.

I think that what happens so often on screen is high-stake moments tends to look too pretty. And I just don't think it's honest.

I don't think most people understand acting, even the people who call themselves savvy, even actors.

You absolutely feel, as a black actress, that you've got to ride the wave because there's just so few roles. I hate to play that card, but it's the truth. There's not a lot of roles.

The sentiment that I had a little trouble with was the idea that, "You change the school, you change the community." I couldn't wrap my mind around that.

I did want to mark the fact that it was the first African-American to win the Lead Actress category.I thought it was so progressive.

I've always seen myself for who I am, which is a lot of things.