Naturi Naughton

“I work out and go to the gym, but I still enjoy my soul food and snacks. But I'm a pretty petite young woman, and I just do everything in moderation and make sure that I just keep everything together.”

“I want to give my daughter that Caribbean influence. But also, just being a black girl in this country, I want her to grow up with culture and confidence, and with love.”

“I was pretty young when I decided I wanted to, well, more so be a singer. I started singing in church in my hometown, East Orange, New Jersey. I knew when I was about five or six that I wanted to be a performer.”

“I don't just want to be a cute girl in a comedy or the actress who just does the same thing over and over again. I want to play roles that are distinct. I want to have a more varied career like actresses Viola Davis or Angela Bassett - those are the people that I grew up watching and admiring.”

“One thing I'm passionate about is directing. I've always wanted to direct.”

“I feel truly blessed to be one of the many black women who are leading ladies on television.”

“As a black actress you've got to work doubly hard. But it doesn't ever get me to the point where I give up on myself. It just motivates me to be more prepared, focus and disciplined. That's why I care so much about doing black films and making sure that we represent and are represented correctly.”

“I feel like being pregnant and entering this new stage has made me stronger and more excited about life in general. Everything seems so much more purposeful.”

“For my first role, I had to audition five times. I've gotten a lot of no's and rejections. But I just had to keep working hard. I took classes; I worked on my craft and continued to work with an acting coach and just didn't give up on myself.”

“I truly admire President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.”

“I used to be obsessed with 'Boss.'”

“I love to push myself! Stepping outside of my comfort zone is what will make me a better artist.”

“When I booked 'Hairspray,' I really didn't have a support system other than my family and friends.”

“I hike quite a bit when I'm in L.A., so that helps me clear my head. But usually I recharge by going to church, having family dinners, girls' night out, or just simply relaxing at home watching one of my favorite movies.”

“One of my biggest inspirations growing up was Whitney Houston, so I was devastated to hear about her passing. I'm from East Orange, New Jersey, and started singing at New Hope Baptist Church, so she was like my fellow Jersey girl.”

“To me, singing and acting have always gone hand and hand.”

“I think sometimes if you let it all hang out, it makes you a target.”

“Singing is my passion and something that I still love to do and I'm always going to want to do it.”

“Professionally, I want to be remembered for how hard I worked and how I put my heart and soul into my work. Personally, I want people to remember my heart.”

“Family is hugely important to me, because like I said, it takes a village to raise a child. That's my theme. That's how I really feel about life.”