People think of Latina women as being fiery and fierce, which is usually true. But I think the quality that so many Latinas possess is strength. I'm very proud to have Latin blood.

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

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 think there is this steely strength beneath this beautiful veneer that a lot of women possess. I can't fathom or understand it.

I think women are really self-analytical in a way that men aren't.

I don't understand labels. I don't need anybody to tell me I'm Latina or black or anything else. I've played characters that were written for Caucasian females, I just want to be given the same consideration as everybody else, and so far that has been happening.