I actually really liked 'The Help.' I know that may not be a popular thing, but I thought it was a solid film. It wasn't 'Roots.' It wasn't 'The Color Purple.' But you couldn't pick it apart in terms of storytelling, and I thought the characters were well written.
Queer black characters have been the sidekick for long enough. It's time for us to finally take the lead.
I've known I was gay since I was young, I think. And I mean young - like, young - like 5 or 6. I think most gay people or queer people know there's something different about them very early, but I didn't know what to call it.
The reason I get so excited about 'Master of None' is because it's showing people of color as regular people.
Every black man in Chicago walks through the world differently, and I think what young black boys do is observe, and that's what gives them their road map.
My mother was born into a segregated America. How crazy is that?
I love basketball! When I'm flying, and I have on sweats, a hat, and sneakers, people always assume that I'm a high school kid going to an away game. And I always say no, I'm a fan of the game.
I don't like beating people on the head with the message. I don't like standing on the soapbox.
I think the stakes are always high when you're an artist of color - to get things right, to get things perfect and make everybody happy.
The truth is, for me, when I was a young black girl who knew I was different, was watching TV, I would always be staring at the TV set looking for myself, and I didn't see me. And when you don't see yourself, you start to think that you don't matter, or you start to think that something is wrong with you.
For me, my brand is good storytelling.
The things that make us different, those are our superpowers.
When you're not as accessible, you get in a tent and get in your own head, and you start doing things that are a little out of touch. I think we've seen it happen with certain artists... people can't touch them; they're not touching people. They're only touching people in their circle.
I'm proud to carry that torch and be like, 'I'm gay! I'm black! Hang your dreams on me. Hang your hopes on me. I'll carry them to the best of my ability.'
I think it's so trite to say you have lead characters. It's like someone saying I'm the lead in my life.