Christina Hendricks

It's a tough business. To my parents or to their friends, I was not a success, but to me I was a huge success. I was having a blast. I was working on shows I loved, I was working with actors I loved, and I was making a living as an actor. And I loved every second of it.

I have a problem keeping my mouth shut. I usually speak my mind. I'm trying to learn my lesson.

I have faced rejection in this business because of my appearance, but that has only made me stronger and more determined.

I have classic and feminine taste. I'm definitely drawn to vintage-inspired and ladylike things. I like an accentuated waist, and a strong shoulder works well with my figure.

Some of the things people have said about me, well, they're unbelievable.

My parents didn't exercise, so it was not something I saw was good for you or fun. I wish I had grown up knowing to do that.

As women, we feel we can't ask for things. There's been a lot of research done recently and, more often than not, if a woman goes in to ask for a raise, she'll get it. But she's thinking, 'Do I deserve it? I've got to give a list of why I deserve it.' Whereas a man will just go in and ask for a raise. It's so scary.

I started doing community theatre as a way to make friends, and that was when I caught the acting bug.

I just thought I would work in a hair salon and do community theater.

I know plenty of people who don't have children. And I also get a lot of people who say, 'Thank you for speaking out; my family don't understand why I don't want kids.'

Sexiness is about confidence and individuality. I can't keep my eyes off the women you see in cities like London, New York and Paris - the way they carry themselves and put themselves together are always so unique.

I really do love being outdoors - I mean, you'd never think it in my high heels and pencil skirt! But I really do miss the smell of hay and farms, and I like milking a cow.