I was nervous the first day on set and then I get over it. When I was 11 I had taken classes and did some educational films, but nothing of this level. I'm very self-critical and always wanted to do things over again but I had to just go wit the flow. It has been a great experience and it made it really clear that the set of a movie is a place that I feel like I belong and where I can grow and learn a lot.

Yes. I take dance classes. I like dancing because for me it's not just physical it's spiritual. I don't find that in the weight room at the gym. I've been thin my whole life. I eat healthy food and I eat a lot. Everyone is always surprised

I love to read, I love to check out good exhibits at museums. I make things like a ceramic bowl, or a crochet hat. I'm crafty. I love to travel. I've made so many good friends that I wouldn't have had if I stayed in New York all the time. Another passion of mine is learning languages. I speak Portuguese, French, Spanish and I'm learning Swahili now. I'd love to have an accent or speak another language in a film.

I don't have a type. Everyone I've ever dated is very different. Someone who's respectful, someone whose smile is really refreshing. Some faces are nice to look at although that's not the most important thing, but when they smile and you see that their soul is smiling, that's really attractive to me. I like people who think a lot because I like to have good conversations.

I don't boycott actors, but I've never been attracted to one. My personal life and my work are separate. I want someone real, someone that loves me and I can love fully but more importantly, I want children and I want a partner. My parents are married 35 years. Having come from that example it sets a really high standard.

It's hard to accept that title but it does make me feel good when girls tell me that I've inspired them to do things in the arts or in school. I still have more work to do, to better myself as an artist and as a person. I admire Alfre Woodard, Angela Bassett, Afeni Shakur, Malcolm X. As for someone my age, Natalie Portman is great. She's so smart and eloquent. I'd love to work with her.

I could play Denzel's daughter, any day!

My life is a lot different from hers because I was given so many opportunities. My parents are educators, and I had both parents at home. But I'm from Harlem--my 'hood' isn't one of the nicest in New York City. So all I had to do was go to my block.

Yeah, I guess it was my love for dance coming through on my tape. All the dance styles I'd done before were very individualistic, never ballroom. We had a month of training and we'd go out at night and end up practicing our moves in a club.

Absolutely, but I stepped on his, too! Of course, I blamed him at the time. But he had to learn and I had to forget I had technical training because LaRhette has none, and we found a happy medium to make it look real.

It was a good experience. I learned a lot. But I never thought that modeling would be my career. It was a nice side job. I've always been acting, but the public doesn't know that. So I did that show--I never thought I was going to get on--and I didn't really know what I was getting into. When it was over I got back into acting classes and auditioning. When I got this they told me they loved my audition tape and had never seen me on TV. It was great to know I got it on my own.

I'd love to do some really serious roles, and things that have good messages and make a difference in people's lives. I know I look young but I'd like to try playing my own age or older. I'd also like to write some scripts--political stuff. I'm not a comedian; I'd love to get good at that too. I want to do it all.

I was a hard working student who worked different jobs while I was at boarding school in Massachusetts. My siblings had gone there and I'd seen what wonderful things it did for them.

Absolutely. I was always encouraged to get good grades and explore the arts. I'm acting because I love it, but I love all challenges. I'm 23 and I'm still figuring out how to use all my experiences. We could do whatever we set our minds to. My job is to do whatever I set my mind to and do it with integrity and make them proud.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you don't compromise your integrity, and just keep trying because it's not easy. You face a lot of rejection and you just have to stay grounded and find that strength from inside and from the people around you, the people that really love you--your family and your friends.