"There is a class system in acting just like in anything else. Black females fall in a category below black male actors."

"My driving force is spirituality."

"It's all about humanity, humility, and integrity."

"I face every project the same way - do it right and give 110%. 100% isn't good enough."

"I've played piano and guitar when I was younger."

"I'm not the classic type - fair skin, very beautiful women of a classic type, I'm talking about now."

"Singing was the big focus and outlet for me."

"My older sister Nikki went to Hampton music school in Virginia, then to another school later in New York."

"When I was five years old I knew I wanted to act."

"So many comics have such low self-esteem."

"If you're going to do something, make it right and make it as good as you can. Don't waste anybody's time, especially your own."

"My family is very theatrical."

"People who don't use the tools given to them only injure themselves."

"This business is all about being seen, and the more people see you the better."

"And I used to listen to a lot of jazz."

"I was a shy little girl, nothing like what I am now."

"Voice is my instrument."

"I fit into the quirky, character class type of actor."

"I got an early education from television."

"I have to approach my life in this way so I can do what I need to do, and do it very well."

"Chick Corea was a great influence on me, musically, as I was growing up."

"We always performed for our church, but we also just performed whenever the family got together."