Ashleigh Murray

“I definitely stood out when I was in high school.”

“I would be remiss not to take advantage of this platform that I have, because I don't want any other woman or girl feeling like the way that I felt: that I didn't belong, that I would never succeed in the medium that I'm choosing to pursue because my hair isn't straight or my skin isn't light or my eyes aren't bright.”

“We're not defined by our circumstances, and we can always find a way to rise above it.”

“I was just this little theater geek. I joined the drama program my freshman year. I read the morning announcements my sophomore year. I didn't have to eat in the cafeteria with everyone else because my drama teacher was cool. Everybody knew who I was, and that's all I ever wanted as a theater kid.”

“I can't express enough to anyone who is fighting for whatever their dream is, whether it's to become a doctor, or a teacher, or a photographer - it doesn't matter - it's such a hard, hard road.”

“Sometimes all you're looking for is an apology.”

“We are not all the same. If you care that much, if you're that invested in us as artists and the changes that we're trying to make and the work that we're putting out there, then at least give us the same decency and respect to know that I am not Yara Shahidi and never will I be.”

“Usually, when people are asked, 'Would you ever do high school again?' a good 99 percent of them say, 'Oh God, no. I would never do that again.' I would absolutely go back to high school.”

“I didn't have to look like Jughead to have him be my favorite character.”

“My hair was curly, and everyone else's was straight or in micro braids. I didn't have a lot of money, so I shopped at thrift stores. And I'm petite - I never looked shapely. I remember thinking, 'Will I ever have that stereotypical round, full butt that people think most black women have? I had to find another way to feel good about myself.”

“My mother is gay. She was married to my dad up until I was 9. She was just like, 'I'm tired of this. I'm just going to be with who I want to be with.' So I've been raised by women, through my mom and also my aunt. My aunt is bi, and most of her partners have been women. I was always surrounded by a very strong tribe of people.”

“Growing up, I never felt like I was very pretty, because I didn't look like anyone else, and the boys weren't lining up to get with me. I internalized that and thought there was something wrong with me.”

“We all know what it's like to want to have that support from our family members and the people that we love, especially our parents.”

“There's no guarantee, and there's no proper path to follow that will directly lead you to where you want to go, but stick with it. If you know in your bones that this is what you were put on this earth to do, and the world would be a darker place without you pursuing your dreams, then keep at it.”

“I've never had the passion of wanting to be the next Monica or Beyonce or anything like that.”

“I did musicals. It's funny, because I can hide behind a character and a voice, but when I have to bring myself and my own voice to it, it's very nerve-wracking.”

“I didn't really feel like I knew who I was until I was 24.”

“Cole Sprouse is the quirkiest, kindest guy.”

“I hope I give a good performance; I hope it's enjoyable. If I'm a villain and you hate me, that means I'm doing my job. But I'm not the one to stand for anybody to call me out of my name for any reason.”

“'Dierdre And Laney Rob A Train' is sort of an underdog movie.”