Quotes from Sanaa Lathan

My dad is a director/producer and my mom is a dancer; she performed with Alvin Ailey, but I didn't even think about becoming an actress.

Good storytelling appeals to me - good writing.

I had never picked up a basketball before. I went through a grueling audition process. It was almost as if I was learning to walk. It would be like teaching somebody to dance ballet for a role.

Being strong can be also feminine. I don't think feminine equals being weak. Being strong is very sexy.

In terms of facial creams or lotions, I try to switch it up and stay as natural as possible. l like Le Mer facial cream for when I have an event. It's very rich and sometimes too rich for some people, but I like it.

To make a movie is very grueling at times. Long, long hours and cold weather.

I didn't get to see Predator until halfway through shooting. It was great to get an education while I was shooting because it made me excited to be part of this legacy.

I really prefer the actual experience of being onstage and living the character from beginning to end with the energy of the audience. There's nothing that beats that feeling, and yet I really have trouble with the eight shows a week.

I wouldn't want anyone to destroy the earth.

When you're on a set it can be very tedious and slow. It's just not as big as when you see it on film.

People may know me from films, but theater is my first love. I did about 35 plays before I even landed my first screen role. I'm very comfortable on stage, and theater is not something you can just wing.

I'll eventually go back to theater because the feeling of being on stage where you have the audience right there, you can't replace that with anything.

Chemistry on film is like chemistry in real life, it's either there or it isn't.

I had never picked up a basketball before. I went through a grueling audition process. It was almost as if I was learning to walk. It would be like teaching somebody to dance ballet for a role.

I did work out every day. I needed it to have the endurance to do what needed to be done and not get hurt. I have such a new respect for action stars now.

I think Hollywood is so driven by money, the people who are making the decisions are not necessarily reflective of the melting pot, so what stories are you going to want to tell? You're going to want to tell stories about yourself.

I got nominated for a Tony, which was a complete surprise. It was an experience that I will always cherish.

If you're in love and there's that chemistry, that's what it's all about.

The Alien is gross, scary. There is something in a human being that looks at them and sees it as a cockroach. You can never feel nurturing towards the cockroach.

In 1979, Alien came out and Sigourney was in it with a bunch a guys. Nobody at that time expected the woman to be the hero, so that was a tradition that started.

I love going to the movies and getting Raisinets, a big tub of popcorn and a Coke. That's definitely a guilty pleasure because I can't be doing that all the time.

People make jokes about how black people are the first ones to be killed off.

I have dated all races and I believe you should be free to do whatever you want.

I think I'm a character actress in a leading lady's body, but the industry doesn't really see me that way.