The college years are when you sow all your wild oats and become a vampire. By 40, you’ve lived it up. At least, you hope. – Octavia Spencer
I’ve seen too many sunrises, as far as the walk of shame, staying out too late doing very bad things. – Octavia Spencer
When you give kids the tools necessary to change their destiny, it’s really empowering. – Octavia Spencer
I know I’m never going to be one of those size 2 actresses – that’s just not me. But I do want to be the healthiest I can be, and a role model to women of all shapes and sizes. – Octavia Spencer
I think diversity is something that should be celebrated because it’s who we are as a world, and little kids need to be able to turn on the TV and see real-world representations of themselves. It’s very important. – Octavia Spencer
I choose projects that resonate with me on some personal level and projects that I’m afraid to do. If I’m afraid to do them, then I usually say yes, because it means that I’m not ready to go there and deal with certain aspects of the script. And that means that I need to do it, because the things that scare you only make you better and stronger. – Octavia Spencer
The thing about the South is we accept our history. We don’t push it under the rug. – Octavia Spencer
I have to lead a very small life in terms of what people think ‘Hollywood’ is. It’s a full life for me, but I’m not jetting across the world. But life is good. – Octavia Spencer
I love working with kids and seeing the light come on when they realize they are smart. It’s so beautiful to watch. – Octavia Spencer
I think if we give kids a break in education, we would have fewer crimes being committed. If we keep them on track, they know that they have options. It’s important for me because, you know, my life would’ve been different had I not had the education that I had. – Octavia Spencer
I’m thrilled I got to work with James Ponsoldt, who is going to make his mark on this industry. – Octavia Spencer
Being a part of a large family is just like a little society: those who fight to the top of the heap. We relied on each other and still do. They never discouraged me or told me to get a proper job. – Octavia Spencer
As you make your way along life’s tumultuous highways, it’s important to note that you should always carry a map, have plenty of fuel in the tank, and take frequent rest stops. – Octavia Spencer
What’s so great about DreamWorks is that it’s run by filmmakers who believe that if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. – Octavia Spencer
What I love about Tadashi is that he isn’t a designer that designs only for a double-zero. He designs for double-Ds, you know? Women of all shapes and sizes can wear him. – Octavia Spencer
The first time I saw E.T., the actual image of an alien, and he was so sweet-looking. I wanted him. I wanted E.T. – Octavia Spencer
My idea of success is not Oscars. Am I glad I have that little trinket? Yes, I am. But it depends on how you define success. The minute I got my first professional cheque from Joel Schumacher, I was successful. Somebody’s paying me to act! – Octavia Spencer
I have tried every diet to lose weight. When you restrict yourself, you’re setting yourself up for failure. – Octavia Spencer
Needless to say, I would have loved to have been a black belt instead of actually just wearing one to hold up my pants! – Octavia Spencer
You have to get out of your comfort zone in order to grow. And as an actor, you don’t become Meryl Streep by doing the same type of comedy. You get there by being challenged. And unfortunately, there’s a lack of roles for women of color, so you actually have to be the engineer creating some of those roles. – Octavia Spencer
I think if I weren’t so squeamish, I would have been some sort of forensic analyst. And I can’t do anything with a microscope, because then I start thinking about the world of germs around us. – Octavia Spencer
I’m excited that I get to do what I love, and I’m benefiting through projects that speak to me. – Octavia Spencer