I try to keep in mind that it's a long journey. It's not a race. It's about staying focused, continuing to do good work, make my family and community proud; that's all I really want to do... and pay my bills. Votes: 16
Being half Jewish, we grew up with Christmas trees but had Jewish ornaments. Votes: 15
This industry is all about work, and just because Sundance exposed me to the world, it is my job to stay deserving in that world. The work never ends; the hustle just get harder, and you get stronger! Votes: 14
I don't want the Latino community to think I think the reason Latino films are not doing well is because of us. It is not fully our responsibility. Votes: 14
I've specifically decided to say no to projects that weren't advancing Latinos, that weren't showing us in a positive light, roles that were gratuitous and spreading untruths. Votes: 12
I've learned a lot about what kind of actor I want or do not want to be while being on set. I sit back and observe how other actors treat the totem pole of set politics. Votes: 11
Acting is how I'll be able to change how Latinos are viewed in media and change how little girls see and talk about themselves. Votes: 11
I do not devalue the role of a maid or nanny, or the stereotypical roles that some members of our family have actually done to feed our families in real life. Votes: 11
I learned a lot from Ana Ortiz, who plays my sister in 'Sleeping with the Fishes'. Votes: 11
I dream big, baby. I want to do thrillers, I want to do smart David Lynch-type mysteries. Votes: 10
I felt very vulnerable after 'Sleeping with the Fishes'; I gained weight for the role. I felt a bit out of my skin in the movie, and it was hard to watch. Votes: 9
Every morning, my dad would have me looking in the mirror and repeat, 'Today is going to be a great day; I can, and I will.' Votes: 9
I can live in L.A. as a struggling artist. I cannot live in New York as a struggling artist. Votes: 9
I like to peel it and share it with friends. You can spread the love with an orange. Votes: 8
I think when you work really hard and you help others, God helps you get what you want. Votes: 8
I love telling stories that allow people to be less afraid to tell theirs. Votes: 8
I will play the characters with last names like Sanchez and Gonzalez until the day I die, but I also want to play the 'Michelle Smiths.' Votes: 7
I grew up dancing salsa - you know, a traditional Puerto Rican dance. Votes: 7
Latinos don't go out and support their own films, but at the same time, it's not their responsibility. Votes: 5
I've been very lucky; God has done amazing things for me. Votes: 4
What I will not do is continue to perpetuate stereotypes. I'm the daughter of a maid; why do I have to also play a maid? My mom was a maid so I didn't have to be a maid. Votes: 3
I love relatable stories. Votes: 3
I started salsa dancing with a few different companies and started touring the country. It was fantastic, but I realized that I really wanted to talk every time we were performing. That's a problem because when you're dancing, if you stop to talk, that's not really cool to the other dancers. Votes: 2
I started performing very young as a salsa dancer, and every time I was on that stage dancing, all I knew was that I wanted to speak. I wanted the music to stop, and I wanted to speak. Votes: 2
What makes characters real are details, and if you're crafting a person from scratch, you're probably not going to pay as much attention to a question like, 'Does this person bite their nails?' Votes: 1
Being an actress wasn't realistic. I knew that I was going to have to do it in a way that would speak to my parents. So I went to NYU Tisch School of the Arts for theater, and I studied at the conservatory. Votes: 1