In Greenville, we were blessed to have lots of youth arts programs. I changed middle schools to go to an arts middle school. Then, when high school came, I went to normal high school for a little while before auditioning for the Governor's School for Arts and Humanities.

Don't compare your career to anyone else's. It's tough when you're in a business that's competitive. I was having a difficult time with that in college. Now, I'm having to learn to be patient and be where I am.

The sassy black woman who can land a good joke was sort of my go-to audition. Or playing a struggling mother.

Clothing is so much a part of who we are; that's our way of expressing ourselves.

As a writer, I've always felt it's my job to be extremely careful when writing about victims, especially women.

Imagination is a very potent thing, and in the uneducated often usurps the place of genuine experience.

I think, as an artist, you definitely have to evolve. I've learned that that's very important. However, you have to stay true to yourself while also keeping up with the trends in music and this industry.

Making a film or doing a play are completely different experiences and entirely fulfilling, but completely unique. I also think one complements the other. People often say that theater is about flexing your muscles, and is actually real acting, whereas I sort of disagree.