I just want to be a part of great stories, whether I'm part of an amazing ensemble cast or I'm leading it or the antagonist or whatever.

I just want to be part of great stories that are told and for them to be relevant.

I like to look strong and commanding.

I love the anxiety, the pressure of the loud room full of yapping kids. But I'm a kid myself.

I think as an American society, when we're paying too many taxes or dealing with war, we don't want to see sad things at the movies.

I want to be in the small percentage of women who don't settle for conventional roles.

I want to be the best daughter, sister, friend and wife I can possibly be - because when I die, I am not going to be buried with my Oscar.

I'm a girl from Queens. I've never gone, 'What am I doing today? Oh, I'm gonna grab a gun and learn how to use it.'

I'm a very feminine person, but I have this hard shell, man, and I stay focused and don't take things personally.

I'm Latin - we start young, honey!

I'm more of a guy's girl. I like having a beer in a bar, and I don't bicker or sit down and do my nails.

In dance you use every party of your body except your voice. I wanted to start acting because I wanted to use my voice.

Music is a very big participant in everything I do, from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed.

Our brains are very animal but also very strange and egotistical. We're narcissistic.

Physical roles give me a chance to learn something new.

The biggest battle that I have is being a woman in the world. That takes center stage for me.

There are a lot of magazines that are still sort of... that only cater to a certain demographic and only put certain people on their covers.

To be seen and to be respected for my work and acknowledged as a true American Latina... means a lot to me.

When I act, a part of me goes into the character I am playing.

Dancing for the length of time that I did, it centered me in such a way to be really in tune with my body, and I just feel like I'm physically able to do things because of my ballet background. Without ballet, I don't think I'd look graceful at all on screen.