When it's time to film and to actually take on the role of Precious, I felt an immense responsibility to do it justice.

I've grown up with girls that are like Precious. I've grown up with people that are like everyone that I read about in that book. And so years later, when I was given the role, I just felt a huge responsibility to show the reality of that situation and to show that we're not making it up.

The thing about Precious, she's so far from a Hollywood character. She's so honest and real, I definitely felt like I knew her.

While 'Precious' isn't a real person, it's someone's story, and it's too many peoples' story.

It's so weird to turn on a switch and be the role model for all women, for all African-Americans. That doesn't happen that easily. It just doesn't. And so I don't act up in public and I don't do anything weird - because my sisters are watching me, not because the world is watching me.

Precious, she gets hit by life so many different ways and so many times, but she doesn't yield to it. She continues to get up and she continues to struggle for a better life.