Quotes from Ashton Sanders

Hollywood is showing respect for all different types of art.

I want to keep doing projects that speak for people within the community and tell different types of meaningful stories.

I think that's the most important part of doing this job, is learning different personality types. I mean, it's kind of like sociology or psychology in a sense. With that, and with every project I do, I think I'm able to pull something away that further makes me understand humanity in a way I didn't before.

We're raised to believe that black men have to be one specific way.

'Moonlight' has changed my life externally but also internally... spiritually as well.

I like to dress the way I like to dress. I kind of like rebelling against the social norms... I feel uncomfortable wearing just, like, regular stuff.

To be able to inspire somebody just by doing something that you love, just by creating your art, is something that's very near and dear to my heart.

A lot of these artists are out here don't stay true to why they started doing this in the first place.

I wasn't like the rest of the kids. I was an artist. Living in a black society, when you're raised around a bunch of boys who plays sports and chase girls, there's this perception of masculinity that's super hard to fit into. I wasn't the stereotype of that like a lot of my peers were.

There are so many stereotypes of how you have to be as a black man, growing up in the community as a man.

There's so many strict ideas and rules, whether it's from religion or it's just generations and generations.

I would just encourage my younger self to not care about people's perceptions and to love myself fully and to keep progressing and striving for what you are going to become.

It's going to sound cliche, but I started acting as an emotional outlet.

It's about being true to my artistry, which I've been doing. It's super important to do smart films.

I don't think things will lead me astray, as long as I'm tapped into myself.

I'm getting the training I need to progress as an actor. If something comes up and I have to drop, I'll drop.