Kim Fields

“I was never pushed into the industry. I was a very shy child. I was not one to perform for friends and family at every get-together.”

“I recognize that every role I play, I'm not going to play someone that has a ministry or that is a Christian, and I don't think that's what God has called me to do. The gift and talent that He's given me as an actor, director, producer is to entertain, sometimes to inform, most times to inspire.”

“Lord knows I'm not the poster child for eating right and exercising, so I don't want to give that impression at all! This is the same person who people have watched have a weight problem in her teens, so come on!”

“'Facts of Life' was and continues to be a milestone on my journey. But when people act like the journey ended when 'Facts of Life' ended, that's annoying. I could never and would never want to divorce myself from it because it was such a great experience from so many different facets.”

“It's funny how God will just keep using you, and our motto around our family forever has been, 'Just let Him use you.'”

“I was always very maternal with my friends. I wasn't the kind of little girl that played with dolls and pretended I was the mommy. I wasn't that child, so when I say I was always maternal, I don't mean in that sense - but I've always been a nurturer.”

“I will encourage my kids in everything that life has to offer.”

“Family is very important to me. People often ask me how I managed to stay grounded and sane, having started as a child star and growing up in the industry, and really, it's God. But it's also my family and God in my family.”

“There has been a tremendous growth in the entertainment industry throughout Atlanta. There are many opportunities in film, television and theatre.”

“I always felt that I had a childhood. I went to regular school whenever I wasn't working. At one point, I wanted to be a marine biologist.”

“God-willing and prayerfully, we are always growing and changing and developing personally and professionally.”

“As a director, I love being able to really be a contributing factor to the overall vision of a project.”

“I think my issues with the Internet surround people who become 'overnight celebrities.' It's like, really? You put something on YouTube, and they Auto-Tuned it, and now you're a star, and you have a TV show, and you have a record deal.”

“I'm not just considered a former child star. I'm not considered a black actress. I'm not considered an actress. I've done roles that were written for men. First and foremost is God: I definitely believe in Him having kind of mapped out what my destiny was going to be.”

“I recognize the unknowing, involuntary effect that 'Facts of Life' had and continues to have on several generations of people.”

“I've been very blessed as far as my faith sustaining me because it's not like I haven't been challenged and I haven't been tested and disappointed. But my faith does really bind me and keep me.”

“Balance is so important. We all have to cut up our clock to find out what works for you. If you're ineffective, you're using bad clock management, and you have to adjust. Using a basketball reference, the team who wins is the team that can make adjustments in real time.”

“I don't feel that I was often compartmentalized as an African-American actor, yet I am fully aware of the plight that actors, directors and producers of color face in our industry. I choose to focus on being proactive in creating opportunities for myself and others while acknowledging that we are not playing on a level playing field.”

“I hold onto the Scripture that says, 'Be anxious for nothing, but in all things give thanks.' I'm not saying I don't have problems or that I don't worry, but I try not to be stressed. I manage my anxiety through prayer. Worry shows up on your face, and I don't want that!”

“Being a mom is really the greatest role in my life.”