Quotes from Tamara Tunie

I took the whole college prep trajectory, and then in my senior year of high school, I decided that performing was something that I had always done as a kid, and I loved it... I said, 'This makes people happy when I do this, I feel good, I get to pretend and explore other areas and learn so much'.

Fortunately, I'm known as the hardest-working woman in showbiz, not to compete with James Brown. I've always been a multi-tasker.

We sit and read the paper in conjunction with having a little breakfast. Usually fruit salad, or I make myself a smoothie with rice milk, coconut water and yogurt.

I'm Irish on St. Patrick's Day. I'm Italian on Columbus Day. I'm a New Yorker every day.

I appreciate being able to give back to charities I care about such as the American Diabetes Association - my older sister passed away from diabetes - and Figure Skating in Harlem, which teaches young girls about confidence, focus and goal-setting.

I want to play Eva Peron. I've already done a lot of Shakespeare, but I'd like to do Lady Macbeth.

I adore the designer B. Michael's curve-flattering gowns, but there is nothing better than jeans with a crisp white shirt.

I am always happy to use my song and dance training.

I still enjoy doing the things I've always done, like going to a monthly dance party at a club downtown.

My Native American heritage was not embraced by our family, and we grew up African-American, so I didn't have a lot of access or history to that line of my family.

I have Native American blood. I have African blood. I have European blood.

I truly believe that when a person makes a concrete decision and takes action towards a goal that they've set, that the universe will step in and provide opportunities.

Even though you're married, you're still individuals. You still have to grow and nurture your individuality.

I believe that you can always learn from observation.

You have to continue to grow and evolve as individuals in order for your marriage to evolve. It takes two pillars to support a structure. If those two pillars become one, you have a structure that teeters.

I always watch the work I do.

When I first moved to New York, all I did was musical theater. That's what I studied at Carnegie Mellon University.

I was the first African-American woman to play Maggie in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' It was at the Virginia State Theatre, and we turned Richmond upside down.

Working on a film is so great because you have the luxury of more time when you're on a movie than when you're on television.

I truly believe that when a person makes a concrete decision and takes action towards a goal they've set, that the universe will step in and provide opportunities.