QUOTES by Jurnee Smollett-Bell
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I wouldn't be able to tackle a character like Rosalee on 'Underground' without having tackled the many characters I've played before.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I don't know if I would be doing what I do without 'Eve's Bayou,' and I don't know if I would have the career that I have without working on 'Eve's Bayou.' The love for what I do, I found it in that project.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I always told my representatives, 'Look, I come from the 'School of Janet' - that's my mom - she raised me to know that I'm more than just set dressing.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I'm told I'm a statistic. I'm told that my young black sisters are disease-ridden... but we are greater than what society tells us we are.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
There's something about Jason Katims' writing that just feels like home to me. He gives you so much liberty to play, which you don't find on most TV shows. You just don't.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
We got spoiled with 'Friday Night Lights.' Not every show is like that, and on other shows, if you try to bring that same truth or that same approach, the system of television doesn't always allow for that level of collaboration, which is unfortunate because the work would be richer.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
Far too often, I read a script where the girls are the girlfriend or the set dressing.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
The lullaby my husband puts our son to sleep with is so random. It's 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' by Michael Jackson.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I think, as human beings, we try to hide our flaws and try to present this perfect person, this person we wish we were, to our spouse when that causes so many troubles.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I like the idea of matchmaking; I'm just not very good at it. It's too much pressure!
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
We all try to pretend we're the person we want to be when we're really not, and you've just gotta be willing to say, 'Here are all my flaws; here's who I am - take it or leave it. If you love me still, then let's do this.'
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
Until we really heal the wounds that we dealt with during slavery, I don't think we'll be a fully realized country.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I'm very grateful to have been able to work with so many talented filmmakers and actors during my career. I've learned so much from them. It's been my college, in a way.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I started shooting 'The Defenders' two days after I wrapped' Friday Night Lights.' I was doing research for 'The Defenders' throughout - interviewing lawyers and sitting in courtrooms just to watch - but there's something fun about throwing yourself in the water and learning by doing.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
When I was 12 years old, I got involved with an organization called Artists for a New South Africa. One of its missions is to help with HIV/AIDS awareness.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I'm very picky about the kind of work that I do, and I'm fortunate to have been able to work with great directors and great actors who've helped me grow as an artist.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
Injustice is either very blatant - you walk down the street and someone calls you a name; you don't get a job because of your gender or your skin color or your sexual preference - but injustice is also very subliminal.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
They did laugh; they did fall in love. And while they were under incredibly oppressive conditions, they constantly were trying to steal pleasures. When you go back to the slave narratives, and you read books like the 'Bullwhip Days' or 'Incidents in the Life of the Slave Girl,' they will share what life was like, and it's a 365-degree view.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I've always been proud that I come from people who were activists, who have this indomitable spirit. I am proud to have inherited the spirit of resistance and revolution.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
There's this notion, kind of like unspoken, that you can't live your dreams and be a mom. You can't have a career and be a mom. There's still that preconceived notion, and I reject that.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
Before being a mom, I remember going on a Twitter rant during the whole George Zimmerman trial in Florida about my younger brothers and how one day I'll be the mom of a black son.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I can get a little scattered and want to be everywhere and want to do everything for everyone.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
The slave narratives, there is a wealth of research there, because you are hearing stories from the first person account, and that's a whole different thing than reading about it in the history books. You're able to really personalize it.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
It's not very exciting to go to work to just have your character's identity being defined by her relationship with her male counterparts.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I read so many scripts, and it's not really exciting to just be the girlfriend.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
There's a lot of progress happening in TV. You have amazing shows like 'How to Get Away With Murder.' You have people like Shonda Rhimes, Lee Daniels with 'Empire,' and Jason Katims with 'Friday Night Lights' and 'Parenthood.' You have people behind the scenes writing complex women.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
There's still a really divisive residue in our nation that's called racism and prejudice and oppression and sexism.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
The real trendsetters are the ones who rebel. Those are the ones who everyone in fashion eventually follows.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
How often do you see young actors playing scholars? Or striving to be intellectuals, you know? It's not that often.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
It's such a transition and it's so empowering to become a mom, but there are also many challenges. Just remind yourself, every minute, every day, to be kind to yourself.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
After being a mom, we are now in a different chapter in our womanhood, and instead of trying to be our old selves or get our old body back, we should embrace who we are now.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I always said, 'Whenever I get pregnant, I'm going to embrace all of the body changes that happen.' My focus has not been on any sort of snap-back or anything like that, because your body won't be the same after giving birth, and if anything, that's something to be celebrated, embraced, and owned.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
I'm such a huge fan of Gap! My mom used to dress me in Gap overalls that I would wear all the time, and now the idea of bringing my son into that tradition is so ironic and full-circle for me.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
There are obstacles and challenges that my dark-skinned sisters face that I will never know. How they are perceived when they walk in a room of strangers is something I will never truly know.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
That's something I've struggled with my entire life - people underestimating me.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
If I have a jump rope and a resistance band, I can work out anywhere. Even without a jump rope. If you do 200 jumping jacks, then drop and do some crunches, and then do some squats, you're good.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell
My mom bought me an 'Anne of Green Gables' journal. And I just remember thinking it was so cool, and I could write anything in it.
Quote by -Jurnee Smollett-Bell