When I was straight I had the courage and energy to become an actress. I owe my career to my will to stop using.

There are two types of courage involved with what I did. When it comes to picking up a rifle millions of people are capable of doing that as we see in Iraq or Vietnam. But when it comes to risking their careers or risking being invited to lunch by the establishment it turns out that's remarkably rare.

I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon Ben Affleck Mark Wahlberg - they made a great career out of it and they found a way to do it and still be cool guys so that's kind of where I want to be.

I am kind of a private person so I don't miss that part of show business at all. Looking back on my career in television and making a movie like 'The Sound of Music' from an adult point of view it actually seems kind of unreal. I was involved in shows that people grew up with - that hold memories for them - and it's a cool feeling.

There are some people who have stayed with us our whole career which is pretty cool too.

I think I've been incredibly raw my whole career. A lot of people spend a lot of time trying to look cool and spend time being guarded and putting up walls. I just never had the time. It seems more honest to say 'Hey this is who I am.'

I have no control over people's perceptions of me at all and that's one of the things I decided very early on is that I can't control the way other people think of me. All I can do especially when it comes to my career is go out there and do cool unique kinds of things.

I wanted to escape Small Town U.S.A. To dismiss the boundaries to explore. My life experience came from watching movies TV and reading books and magazines. When your culture comes from watching TV everyday you're bombarded with images of things that seem cool places that seem interesting people who have jobs and careers and opportunities.

I think it's really cool how J. Lo's been able to balance an acting career and a music career. That's something I strive for.

Our career is a dream. I mean we get to act travel around the world and meet cool people. What's not to love!

There's been a lot of really cool stuff that's happened to me throughout my career and I remember everything but I don't think I savored every moment of it like I should have or like I do now.

I'm trying to mix the cool independent stuff with the big stuff but it's been difficult finding the right roles. It's been an interesting ride as far as my career pendulum is concerned.

Communication - the human connection - is the key to personal and career success.

I always get bored with my hair. That's why I would always change it throughout my career.

In politics there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers and then there are those like John McCain who use their careers to promote change.

Like all soul singers I grew up singing in church but sometimes I would leave early and sit in the car listening to gospel band The Blind Boys of Alabama. Hearing their lead singer Clarence made me connect the idea of church and show business and see how I could make a career singing music that stirred the soul.

Some people say it might be good for your career to die and then come back again. I have died many ways car crashes motorcycle crashes etc. But I am still alive.