How do you maintain your longevity in the entertainment industry?
I definitely feel I have been blessed with a charmed life. One of my advantages I think I have is I have a “youthful” look, so that’s great and adds to my longevity. I played a teenager for a very long time, a young lady for a very long time. It lengthens the time span of playing different roles. I like to choose roles and create a résumé that affects an audience in an emotional way. The saying goes “People will forget what you said to them but they will never forget how you made them feel.” It’s always been about how I make [the audience] feel.
Anybody in the industry you look up to?
I am inspired by a lot of people. Recently, I am looking up to Victoria Rowell [co-star from “Marry Me for Christmas”]. Omigod, she is literally like my new idol. She is so fabulous. I told her I wanna be just like you when I grow up. She is regal, down-to-earth, talented, and so funny. She is just an amazing woman. Honestly, anyone who does what I do, I look up to them, because I know how hard it is. I look to the left, I look to the right and if you’re winning — I am winning. Let’s keep winning.
Do you follow social media regarding critiques of you and your films?
It used to be you would read something about yourself in a magazine and that was it for a couple of sentences. Now with all the social media, you get comments, etc. … You have to take everything with a grain of salt. I am not concerned anymore [like I used to be]. I read them but I don’t absorb them.
