Quotes from Cressida Bonas

Martin Joyce is a beautiful dancer and an amazing choreographer. He choreographed the Mulberry dance film I was in, 'From London with Love.' A truly talented man.

Dancing freely to Fleetwood Mac always makes me happy.

It was on a trip to Africa with my family - I was eight - and an angry baboon jumped through the window of our parked car. As my siblings escaped, my foot got stuck in the seat. I froze and watched it steal the whole contents of our car around me.

I'm a strong, independent woman.

I have always loved creating and entertaining. It started with music, singing. I grew up in a household filled with music - not pop but old-school stuff, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong.

I don't really understand it: in real life, I'm often so shy - paralysingly so - but when I'm performing, it's totally different. I feel free.

My older sisters and brother are all amazing beings and inspiring people. They are my best friends and have guided and taught me consistently throughout my life.

I'm much more confident performing than I am in social situations.

Obviously, I do feel I'm scrutinised a bit too much and people are judging me. All I do is keep my head down and work, work, work.

I did a postgrad at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

I love that theatre can be political. You can go watch a play; it sends out messages, and you can go away thinking differently to the way you thought about it before.

I think as you get older, you find out more and more about yourself and what you like and what you don't like.

I never got to know my grandparents, and I am envious of my friends who have a special relationship with theirs.

I've lived in Shepherd's Bush for five years with my friend Georgia in a cosy, cluttered flat.

If I ever feel like, 'Oh, my life!' or get upset by silly things like a photographer, or if someone has written something nasty that's upset me, I just think, 'Worse things happen at sea.'

I'm a lion. I'm not tough, but I am strong. I'm definitely not a wallflower.