Gina Rodriguez

I grew up in Chicago, so hip-hop has always been a part of my life.

I do not devalue the role of a maid or nanny, or the stereotypical roles that some members of our family have actually done to feed our families in real life.

I dream big, baby. I want to do thrillers, I want to do smart David Lynch-type mysteries.

I grew up dancing salsa - you know, a traditional Puerto Rican dance.

I've specifically decided to say no to projects that weren't advancing Latinos, that weren't showing us in a positive light, roles that were gratuitous and spreading untruths.

I don't want the Latino community to think I think the reason Latino films are not doing well is because of us. It is not fully our responsibility.

I try to keep in mind that it's a long journey. It's not a race. It's about staying focused, continuing to do good work, make my family and community proud; that's all I really want to do... and pay my bills.

Acting is how I'll be able to change how Latinos are viewed in media and change how little girls see and talk about themselves.

I started performing very young as a salsa dancer, and every time I was on that stage dancing, all I knew was that I wanted to speak. I wanted the music to stop, and I wanted to speak.

I started salsa dancing with a few different companies and started touring the country. It was fantastic, but I realized that I really wanted to talk every time we were performing. That's a problem because when you're dancing, if you stop to talk, that's not really cool to the other dancers.

I think when you work really hard and you help others, God helps you get what you want.

This industry is all about work, and just because Sundance exposed me to the world, it is my job to stay deserving in that world. The work never ends; the hustle just get harder, and you get stronger!