Chrissy Metz

I started coming into my own at 30, discovering what's important to me, not caring what other people think.

I wanted to be the female Jim Carrey.

It's very strange. I can't go anywhere without somebody stopping me, which is so cool that I get to connect to people that I never might've ever spoken to, or they have an impetus to speak to me. It's created a career that I wasn't sure if I'd ever really have.

Most of my stuff comes from Eloquii, Torrid, Lane Bryant - even Target!

I taught preschool previously, so I was like, 'Oh, I can teach little kids to act, and I can go back home.'

I carry a lot of my weight in my stomach. I just want to have... not even a number, but to have my body in a different shape.

It can be very hard to find clothing for different body shapes. After all, there are only, what, five companies for plus-size women?

I kept auditioning, with no savings and no money, credit card debt gaining interest. I went on unemployment. I bought ramen noodles at dollar stores. I never had to - God forbid - live on the streets.

I moved in with a roommate who told me, 'Stay with me until you can afford rent. Don't give up.' People who supported me were like, 'If you don't have money for food, I'll cook you dinner. You don't have money for acting class? Let's get together and read lines.'

Being a plus-size actress, it is slim pickings, so anytime any role comes up for a plus-size actress, my agents are all over it, and they were like, 'You have to book this job. It's 'American Horror Story.' It's a big deal.' No pressure, right?

I remember being a kid and always feeling a little different than all my friends.

I try to be present in the moment and to be authentic, and to listen.