Playing a character for four years, in people's minds, that's who you are.

My mother, actually, is a therapist.

Like any actor, I want to be able to have a long career and show different characters and a range.

When I was younger in the theater, I didn't really feel like I got much recognition from the powers that be. I got a lot of small roles - I never got the standout roles.

I have a responsibility as a potential role model that I take very seriously.

To be honest, whenever I go to shoots, or I'm on set, it really makes makeup special and allows me to have so much more fun with it - I don't wear it on an everyday basis, because I like my skin to breathe.

I grew up in the church.

The actors that I admire are able to step into so many different roles.

I remember when I got into Juilliard - which was just crazy to me, that I would be studying at a school like that - the choice to cut all my hair off was really symbolic for me.

I want to make sure that any young person or anyone, really, who is looking up to me - who sees a glimpse of who I am as a person - that they see no shame, that they see pride, and that I'm truly unabashed about the person that I am.