Every parent knows this moment in a child's age when he or she needs your attention in a very specific way because it's the beginning and ending of the early life of imagination. It's such a responsibility.
— Nicole Ari Parker
I had a brilliant drama teacher while I was at Roland Park: Ann Mainolfi. But the school was mostly rich in academics. It wasn't like I was prepping myself for a life in acting. There, you prepped yourself to have a stable future. The school's piece de resistance is college prep - it didn't teach you how to audition for a TV show.
I just want to touch something deep in the heart of humanity. I don't know if that's in movies, producing films, or writing a book, but I'm concerned about our spiritual well-being as a human race. I want to impact people in a way that makes us all reach for our best.
I love Malcolm Lee and jumped on the opportunity to work with him as a director.
My humor is a lot like Kristen Wiig's from 'Saturday Night Live' or 'Bridesmaids.' Quirky, off the beaten path.
I enjoy using coconut oil - not only for my skin and hair, but I'll digest it.
Take all the hype out of the exercise and think of it as brushing your teeth.
When you set a play in the French Quarter in New Orleans, it's hard not to acknowledge the whole African-American, French, white mixing of races. That's what the French Quarter is: it's a Creole community.
Raising children uses every bit of your being - your heart, your time, your patience, your foresight, your intuition to protect them, and you have to use all of this while trying to figure out how to discipline them.
I think 'Soul Food' had the biggest impact on me because that's where I was really able to shine as an actress and because I also met my husband there, and that was a huge turning point in my personal life. So, that show will stick with me forever and ever and ever.
I have friends struggling with autism, juvenile diabetes.
It's not how pretty you are or how talented you are. It's that if these five people on this day in this room like you, then you get a job.
If you're actually talking to someone who's been through a disastrous number of years, that only means one thing: They survived it.
Any actor will tell you that you go where the work is, especially when you have children.
You shouldn't marry unless the both of you are on the same page on a lot of things. Life is going to deal you blows, and you have to be together. Your values and priorities have to be on the same page; otherwise, it won't work.
All kids want from their dad is for them to be around - and to show up when they say they're going to show up.
I'm kind of floating out there as an artist. I'm in a safe place where I can play a girlfriend or a best friend or a mommy or a lawyer, but a huge part of me is unused. I'm classically trained, historically inclined and somewhat revolutionary by nature, so I'm frustrated as an artist.
Hair is an issue for most women, and after washing, blow-drying, flat-ironing, curling, braiding, twisting and spending the time and money on it, who wants to mess it up by sweating and having to do it all over again?
I believe that we have to be so race-conscious in this day and age.
My husband and I are loyal to our community and very approachable, even though we're kind of mainstream.
You think you need the newest shoe and the newest outfit. We forget exercising is free. We forget it only takes a little bit every day.
I'm really into nutrition from the inside out.
Exercise is about being grateful for the body you have and sustaining the life you have.
I went to an all-girls private school, where we played field hockey and lacrosse.
Being a parent is the hardest job ever in life.
Honestly, working with Eddie Murphy was mind-blowing just in terms of the budget alone. To see the respect he commands, to witness his presence, you understand why he and people like Martin Lawrence are stars.
Spina bifida affects every single aspect of your life, from your child's self-esteem to your ability to sleep at night.
I have a real no-nonsense dad who taught me how to be resilient at a very young age.
I couldn't imitate anyone if I wanted to.
Nobody really knows, but I got a little comedy in me.
If you had to work 14 hour days, Mondays to Fridays, then you have to keep Saturdays and Sundays sacred.
A guy once told me that I sound like I'm a little ahead of myself. I can't wait to thank him at the Oscars.
I did everything pretty cliche as an actor in New York. I read the trades, I sent out 'head shots.'
I love the theater. I love being on stage; I love the live audience. I also love dressing up and all of the make-believe.
Nobody can tell you how to be a good wife or husband.
I can be really silly, but I never get to do that. I'm always playing on-the-nose characters, professionals - lawyers, a serious news anchor, people with a really focused energy, which can become a cliched type.
Between the kids, the jobs and everything, no matter what color you are, cardio is probably not on the top of your list.
One good step breeds another one.
Not just as a black woman, but as a woman, since the beginning of time, beauty has been our responsibility.
You have to work hard not to take your partner for granted, even when you are tired.
Being away from home was tough, but the challenge and the thrill of being on Broadway was so fulfilling, and I'm thankful to my husband for making it possible and holding it down at home.
We're all moving at such a high rate that we have to grab the frozen dinners and the McDonald's. We can't make it a way of life - we have to get back to real, simple, clean good foods. It will save our lives on so many levels; not just spina bifida, but obesity, diabetes, everything. Food is our medicine.
There are so many things that go into a surgical study.
Once there are more African Americans and Asian Americans behind the scenes as producers, writers, and directors, I think more inclusive casting will happen.
Being a pedestrian again is very exciting because in L.A. you live in your car, and you're on a freeway all the time.
I have one little pooch-y stomach in a picture, and all of a sudden I'm pregnant.
My daughter has a vivid imagination, and so does my son.
God loves you and everything about you, so why beat up on your precious self?
