I am the American Dream. I am the epitome of what the American Dream basically said. It said you could come from anywhere and be anything you want in this country. That's exactly what I've done.

I'd like everyone to imagine a world where you get a job as Tom, and then the next day you're Tina. Imagine you're in the world where you love what you do, but people say that you can't be who you are.

It you want to be somebody, If you want to go some where, you've got to wake up and pay attention

Sitting at the table during Color Purple and looking up and suddenly realizing I was acting in front of Steven Spielberg, was pretty cool. It was pretty good.

Things happen to you out of luck, and if you get to stick around it's because you're talented.

I always wore sneakers when I wanted to. It was always about being comfortable and being myself.

There are times when I haven't been proud of America or really proud. But there have been times that I've been incredibly proud of the country.