My mother never wanted me to focus on my physical self. She always said that beauty is what you do.
After my divorce, I was struggling to find my own voice. Through reading, I gained my power back.
I’ve always loved the pomp and circumstance of dressing up; the pagenatry and all of the glamour of Hollywood.
I have to live for me. I have to do what I need to do for me, and I have stopped concerning myself with what people say.
This moment is so much bigger than me. It’s for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.
The day I saw my mom eating the Santa cookies on the plate was one of the most horrific days of my life.
I think a smart person today realizes that you have to be part of the art films that are done just for the sake of the art.
Having a baby takes so much from you. It’s the most glorious thing you’ll ever do, but the aftermath is not so glorious!
I want to do roles that are fun and challenging and I want to try different things. I don’t want to keep doing Monster’s Ball over and over and over again. I want to keep doing my career the way that I was doing it before I won the Oscar.
Actors always have to fight for the good parts. There are so few good roles written for women each year, and when one is written like this every actress in town covets the role.
And you also have to do movies that are about commerce because that’s what is required of the industry today.
It gave me strength and toughness because I had to face reality, no matter how uncomfortable or painful it was.
A person’s self-esteem has nothing to do with how she looks.
I’ve learned my tricks. I know what I like. I do not wait around. I initiate. And I’m not all about frequency. I favor intensity.
I also have been called that terrible “N” word straight to my face and not known what to do about it because it was just in like 1993 that someone called me that.
2007 began on a high for me because I had the honour of having my name added the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame.
I’m not sad at all about turning 40.
I’m just going to live my life and be who I am.
It’s an amazing feeling to know that life is actually growing inside your body. The first time you see the ultrasound and you see the little bones and you realise that it’s part of you and it’s in your care is life changing and this sort of protective instinct has taken over.
I think I am at my best when my hair is short. It’s easier to take care of and more of who I am. Women are conditioned to think we need long hair.
I like Doritos. I’m usually watching ‘The Biggest Loser’ eating Doritos.