I don't think I'll ever be president of anything.

I know Mother named me after a railroad man, but it's too late now, I'm afraid. Much, much too late.

I'm singing the music publisher's theme song - it ain't a commercial.

In Hollywood, the rainbow hits the ground for composers.

Never play anything that don't sound right. You might not make any money, but at least you won't get hostile with yourself.

Ragtime was my lullaby.

This exploded in me almost more music than I could consume.

The recollection of how, when and where it all happened became vague as the lingering strains hung in the rafters of the studio. I wanted to shout back at it, Maybe I didn't write you, but I found you.

As actors, you play people who are not yourselves!

I cry at films and TV and even adverts.

I don't really get recognised very much.

I have such a huge girl crush on Beyonce.

I think it must be so hard to start your career with everyone going on about how gorgeous you are. To be in that bracket must be so pressurised.

I'm from Southampton.

I've not sat with my agent going: 'Where is the next hopeless girl I can play?' They just come along.

In the U.K., there is a sort of obsession with class.

It's beneficial to play against your type; to be chameleon-like.

When I emerge from filming I feel slightly out of synch with real life, but it's also a relief.

When I'm in a tricky situation I often think: 'What would Beyonce do?' It helps.

You have to have sympathy for and an empathy with a character in order to play them.