Ask Me Anything

Being a very curious seven year-old is what first inspired me to explore the world after happily ever after. I never could accept an ending; I always wanted to know more - so I would create my own continuations.

I always get stopped by fans and asked about the making of the film and what it was like, and what Andre was like, and what it was like working with the cast. At the 25th anniversary we were all asked the same thing, but we really didn't get a lot of time to answer, so I thought this was the perfect time to do it. The rest of the cast were so wonderful...they all contributed to the book.

It is much darker both visually and tonally. The season premiere picks up right where the finale left off, with Nick having lost his Grimm powers, Monroe and Rosalee's wedding ruined, Captain Renard in critical condition from being shot, Juliette furious with Nick about having had sex with Adalind, and Sergeant Wu getting very suspicious.

It was so exciting! We found out in March while we were still shooting Season 3 and our producers came onto set to make the announcement and everyone was jumping up and down. I really think Grimm has gotten better and better every season and am so excited for the fans to see Season 4.

I loved the idea for the show! And the pilot script was fantastic. I just thought it was such a great idea to do a procedural cop drama set within the world of fairytales.

We have amazing writers! I think the writing is fantastic and also NBC has encouraged us to have dark, mythical storylines. It seems like there has been less emphasis on procedural stuff and more focus on the mythology and wesen creatures, and the fans really love it. Also, since Season 3 the "Scooby Squad" has been in full force and that's always really fun. We love scenes where we all get to be together solving crimes.

It has a little bit of everything: procedural, fantasy, Sci-Fi, great VFX, suspense, drama, romance, cool creatures, and a fair amount of light-hearted funny scenes. But I also think that the format of a fairytale is universally appealing - you have a protagonist overcoming massive obstacles to find his/her way home - that's an idea that's very relatable no matter where you come from. And many people are familiar with, for example, Little Red Riding Hood, so it's exciting to see these tales interpreted in a modern way.

Entertaining, mythical, suspenseful

She has become much more involved in solving crimes and therefore much more badass! Nick has been teaching her all about the western world and training her physically and she has become much tougher. Season 1 she was completely in the dark about the big secret so now that she knows, she is much more empowered.

Season 1 there was a lovely romance-heavy episode with me and David Giuntoli called "The Thing With Feathers." It was very romantic with just the two of us running around in the woods for a week. Season 2 I LOVED the huge fight/make out scene with Captain Renard and the end of Season 2 when the gang morphs for me. In Season 3 it was definitely the stunt sequence where I beat up the abusive husband of my girlfriend (episode 310). So far in season 4 my favorite episode is one I'm about to start filming - 410 - because it's the entire "Scooby Squad" out kicking butt on a serious mission.

I am so excited about Chronic because I was a big fan of the director Michel Franco, based on this wonderful film he did called "Despues de Lucia." It was only his second feature and it won a major category at Cannes in 2012. Chronic is about a hospice nurse played by Tim Roth, and my character is the daughter of one of his patients. It's very dark and intense.

We will have the season 4 finale of Grimm sometime in the spring, and hopefully we will be renewed for a 5th season. Grimm is going into syndication (re-runs) on TNT in early January 2015. I have 3 films coming out in 2015: a movie about concussions in football with Will Smith for Sony, the indie movie called Chronic opposite Tim Roth, and an independent film with Gil Bellows about a heist.

It totally depends on the character. Juliette on Grimm is fairly similar to me so it's not as hard to get into character. For Parkland opposite Paul Giamatti I did a ton of research about the woman I was playing, Marilyn Sitzman. She died in the 1970s so there weren't any interviews or anything for me to watch. And then much of my understanding about the event itself - JFK's assassination - came from relating it to my experience on 9/11. For the NFL movie, I am playing Keana Strzelczyk and am meeting her to discuss her life before I start filming. That's the first time I've been able to sit down with the person I'm playing.

It was serendipitous and random and never really part of my master plan, which was to go to England and get my MFA. But I took a year off after Harvard and was living in Los Angeles and went to an acting class with a friend and fell in love!

I would have gotten my MFA and been a curator. I love art and collecting it. I'm really excited right now because one of my Dan May pieces is going to be in an upcoming exhibit in Los Angeles at LAX art gallery - that's the first time I've been able to loan a work :)

In 2011, I worked on the short film Lorimer, which Michael Lannan wrote and directed, and which was the prototype for what later became Looking. In January 2013, Michael asked me to come in and read for the pilot. I was drawn to the sincerity of the work, the tone and feel of the world and the characters. And later I was excited by the prospect of working with Andrew Haigh, who by that point had come on as Executive Producer.

I travel the world and have many friends that are models from all over. I noticed they are not given a fair chance and often taken advantage of in their profession, so I wanted to give them a shot at becoming a millionaire superstar and change their lives publicly while making it entertaining at the same time.

We picked the most exotic and beautiful destinations to match with our exotic and beautiful model contestants!

I really loved when we are all swimming with the sharks in Bora Bora.

There's always challenges with anything you do, but you must always conquer them and push forward. That's how I live my life.

First, the models are filtered by their agencies or agents, and then they must submit their model profile and conduct Skype interviews or appear in person before they can be selected to participate. We had to filter over 10,000 profiles to pick the 100 that were initially chosen. Next season, I expect we will have over 1,000,000 submissions.

It becomes very fierce and personal. Some girls yell, others cry, others have issues with their parents or boyfriends, and some just give up but with anything, it's about the survival of the fittest.

Three main differences:

1. Our girls are already established models when they submit their profile applications.
2. They are international and come from all over the world, not just America.
3. They want to be a Hollywood movie-star, not just a top model. You will see that many of the top designers like Chanel or Louis Vuitton are not using top supermodels anymore, they are using top Hollywood movie-stars and we are helping our international models get to that high-profile level at a young age as fast as possible.

Swimming with sharks, kissing stingrays, swinging from trees, riding elephants, camels and wild horses, etc...

They are great supermodels with easy going personalities, and we are very happy to have them as part of the show.

The key to my success is being persistent, working smart, and not wasting any time. I'm always on the go jet setting across the world to build my businesses. I have a great team, and I will not let anything get in my way.

Always, since I was a child.

An astronaut for NASA or an FBI agent.

Don't let anyone get in your way or tell you that it cannot be done.

I never really settle down - I think if I did, it would make me sick.

Making money and giving back to the community.

ModelTurnedSuperstar.com and Twitter: @model2superstar

*She Laughs* I auditioned! That happened. My father had an agent and he got a call for an "oriental kid"... that's what they called us in those days... and my father coached me, and I auditioned, and I got the job!  Once I auditioned, they decided not to take a lot of kids, they just took one, and that was me.

I started working early on, I was about 15 when I got my first job. I know that's an unusual first job to have early on, hosting television, but basically I needed a job. I was in school, and I had a family situation where suddenly we needed more money and I was cute enough that people said that I could model. So I went to try to get a modeling job, and I was not very successful because I had curves, and so fortunately somebody I met on a modeling job said--"You're good at talking to people. You should go interview for this talk show. They're looking for hosts." And so I went, and got the job. And my first television show was a live show. It was very unusual at the time because people at my age didn't work doing jobs like that. Really, it was out of necessity that I guess, had the courage to show up and just be myself really. And I like talking to people, so this has always been a good job for me.

It's a pretty dismal landscape for women in television as far as non-scripted goes. I wish there were more women who anchored their shows in television. Obviously there is the daytime arena and we have more women in that landscape than in any other place on television. Why is it that we're allowed to own the daytime space, but once it gets to be a little dark we're not given the same freedom? Unfortunately, what I would say is, don't let that discourage you, even though there are pretty depressing stats on the matter. We need more women. We need more girls who are fronting their own shows. So what I would say is, get out and make your own. If you have something to say, if you have an opinion, if you have a topic that you are passionate about, if you have a show idea, go make it with your friends. Make it, put it up online, tweet, and share it on your social media. Make people who are interested in what your show would be about informed about what you're doing. No one's going to come along and give you the opportunity, you have to go out there and make it happen. No one is going to come to you, in your bedroom, and give you a show. It's never happened to me, it's never happened to anyone successful. That is not how it works. It's a lot of hard work and commitment to an idea that you very strongly believe in. If you don't believe in it full heartedly, don't expect anyone else to. But I would say, go out and do it! That's what I did with The Conversation. I made it from my living room.

I love social media because I'm interested in everyone's voice, and I feel like it's such a great, immediate way to connect with people who are interested in the same kinds of things as I am. I've done a lot of Twitter conversations and if I see one going on I'll get involved in it. Most of them are focused around body image, feminism, or sexism, or violent crimes against women, I really don't get involved with things like---Justin Bieber's trending, Angelina Jolie got a tattoo, great! Not interested. So most of what I get involved with are attached to socially conscious subject matter or something that I'm really interested in, whether that be women's issues or gender equality, or children injustice. Specifically causes surrounding helping women and children. As well as books, and films with women directors. I feel like there is a really active community online of women who are really producing creative media. I will get into any of those discussions online around any of those topics.

The Conversation launched on Lifetime in 2012 and simultaneously online, and I launched on TV and online simultaneously because I wanted, ultimately for as many women as possible to be able to listen to the stories of the extraordinary women I was interviewing; whether it was Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus or Jane Fonda, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Or a transgender friend of mine named Yana Kamps, or a woman on the street. I had a segment where everyday women were able to speak about topics. I wanted everyone to hear those stories. So, I guess the overall message I would say is I really wanted women to know that we are not that dissimilar and that we can work together not against each other to create a world that is more supportive and encouraging for all of us.

There were so many people who were great to interview. And everyone brought kind of her own so I really can't single anyone out as being more enjoyable than anyone else. Everyone had their own special that they gave to each show.

Maybe Charlize Theron, she's my go to girl for a woman. I think she is beautiful and empowered and owns who she is in so many ways. But I think she knows how I feel about her, so that's no secret.

I wish it wasn't such an anomaly for a woman to have her own live late night show, but it is and so just that in itself is something that will be a new experience for the viewers of Lifetime. And I'm really excited to have this opportunity, it's a LIVE show, it's a half hour show, it's a topical, current show that incorporates interviews and my opinion and my guest's opinions on pop culture and what's happened in the world that week. And so, I anticipate it to be a lot of fun.

I hope to interview people like Lea Michele, Nicole Richie, Whitney Cummings, Chelsea Handler, and even some men.

It's a weekly show, so I will be covering whatever events have occurred that week in our world. Mostly in the world of women that I think is significant to talk about. That's basically what it is. So, it's kind of a snapshot of what was happening in the week.

My goals for the show are to be able to give the audience an idea of everything that's gone on in the week, that they should know about in the world of women and pop culture.

Well, I don't know yet because we haven't done it. But I will say that shooting live is a beast into itself. I've worked live for years, and its kind of fun because things can go horribly wrong and I love that. I love the unexpected. I don't like the predictable, and live certainly gives us that. I got my chops live, and hopefully I'll just remember what I'm doing.

Have I ever not been self-conscious of my body or my looks, actually, would be a better way to say it. I don't know anyone who isn't. I think every single woman no matter what she looks like on the outside has her own perception of how she looks through her own filter. Studies have shown that we do not see ourselves accurately, and some more than others. And I have definitely fallen into the category of some more than others--many times in my life where I have felt really bad about my body and myself. Then five years later I will look back on a photo and think, "I looked really good then." But I remember feeling bad and feeling like I didn't look good. So it's all to do with how I felt about myself at that time in my life. I have a lot of empathy for women who are brave enough to say that they are really uncomfortable in their bodies, because most of us do. I have never met a woman yet who has said, "Yes, everyday is great in my body." I don't know who that woman is, but it's no one I've met.

I don't know what it is. I probably blocked it out. I'm sure you can find it if you look back at some of my old clips of The Word, my other TV show.

My process in shooting covers really depends on which magazine I'm working for. I recently shot a cover for Flaunt magazine with Selena Gomez that was very much a collaboration; where I had an idea of what I wanted to show knowing that she was at a very transitional time in her life, in between being a girl and a young woman. And I wanted to explore that and express that in a way that was honoring a very subtle sexuality, that was not an explicit sexuality which I see with so many young women in the media. And so we kind of came up with this character and I asked her if she felt comfortable wearing this black wig and we walked around downtown, and shot in this really rundown old hotel, that was actually housing people that did not have homes. It was a great experience for both of us because it was a real collaboration. I shot a cover for Violet magazine that just came out of Brit Marling, again that was very much collaboration. Sometimes with magazines that are more creative like those magazines, you have much more free reign, and you can just shoot and afterword you can look and see what works for a cover. With someone like Vogue, you get way more restrictions. Like you have to put this outfit on, they have to be full length, they have to have this amount of space on top of the photo and the sides, the text needs to go here." It is literally like a diagram, and you have to fit your picture in the box. So it's a very different experience, but again it depends what Vogue you're shooting for. But I always like the challenge of finding a great cover shot.

I like to photograph people who allow themselves to be seen, whether that is a super well known person or someone I just meet on the street. It's always about an authentic experience of the person. That to me is the best shot.

I would say photography, social media including my newsletter, creating my shows, really that is a full time job of expression. And really, my children. Nothing is more creative than parenting.

I really don't know. I don't think any Tweets are really THAT important.

I think ultimately, a male perspective is different to a female perspective and so what would be different is I'm a female and I have a very female perspective. I have a son and a husband and I love men and I appreciate them and I honor them, but I don't know what it's like to be a man; I don't live in a super male environment. So, my show is from my perspective and there are plenty of men whom I'm sure will be on my show and it will be a different experience for them just because women talk differently to men.

That's a really good question; it's easy to peg something on gender being the thing that differentiates one thing from another. You know, I hate to say it but ultimately what is different and unique about this show is that it does have a perspective that is coming from a woman. And I cannot ignore that, because that is the facts. If there were five other women in the late night talk show space that I was able to look at, I would really have to create a format that is really unique, which I'm not saying I haven't, because I think I have. But the most unique thing is that it's a female filter. That's the truth.

My favorite city to live in has been NYC. I love the high intensity pace of the city, the hustle and bustle. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere! We have everything at our fingertips: culture, friends, shopping, the best doctors, etc. It really is the perfect place. NYC is very motivating. I also love that in Tribeca where I live you can relax with the kids, our neighborhood is very quiet on the weekends.

When I was a kid I saw a live performance of "Jesus Christ Super Star" by this well-known Spanish singer and his voice and interpretation plus the music and lyrics were absolutely incredible! I had never heard or seen anything like that...10 or 12 years later I auditioned for a show called "Broadway's Greatest Songs" where I performed two songs from "Jesus Christ Super Star". Then someone approached me about doing a "Play" with no music, and I refused to take part in it because I had no idea how to do that. This man insisted I come down and read with the other Actors which eventually I did! The show was well received and the rest is history.

No! I did not know what an Actor was or did because I did not watched TV until later in my teens. Even then I did not watch much of it, but I did listen to the radio a lot.

It feels good when your work is received well and when you are given the room to play and explore. I think the writers and producers of the show have done a terrific job writing for and casting the roles.

I had read for Patrick Rush, the CD of the show before, and when Dallas was looking to fill the role of Nicolas Trevino I came in and auditioned, but the role went to someone else. I think they liked me though because when the role of Luis came up they thought of me and that's how I began my work on the show.

Luis is a very successful and loyal man who is willing to do anything including risking his own life and threatening the lives of others to do the job he's been asked to do.

Every role I have the privilege to portray has to be my own and not an idea or a character description, so yes there are many things I do to achieve that. First I take what's on the page - the words he's been given and then I build from there creating a back story or life history that makes sense up until the point he shows up on the screen for the first time.

Dallas is...Dirty, Sexy and Dangerous!

I think my favorite EP thus far is "Boxed In" because the Ewings have finally seen what "Luis" is capable of...they have unleashed the beast within and the show became more dangerous and edgy. I also love EP "Trust Me" when my character debuted on the show and I got to play to with the fabulous Judith Light! We had fun - papa like!!

I'm not sure how different this Dallas is from the original, but I think the producers have done a terrific job at keeping the tone of the original as well as introducing the show to a younger generation and adding a few things here and there to keep the show exciting.

I have not read much about how people feel about the revival of the show, but I think they like it and believe they are enjoying!

We have a long way to go to measure up to the original 1978 series but we're on our way and we'll get there if the fans keep supporting the show.

For me, one of the funniest moments was when Judith Light's character on my debut EP "Trust Me" had to say "Mama like" after having snorted cocaine - I could not keep a straight face and kept laughing!

I'm extremely committed to finding and giving the characters I portray a truthful voice, a genuine sense of identity and then I let them play me!Do you have any techniques that help you channel the characters you are playing?

My technique is simple - what is this person trying to say? What is he doing? How clear is he? What's in his way? What is he afraid of? What does he value the most? I try to find the character's core - what makes him tick?

It's fun jumping from show to show and adapting yourself to the different tones or a particular rhythm of a show, but it's also liberating and challenging to play a character that keeps growing and evolving within as the show keeps on!

We will see what happens to the show and the character of Luis, though I think things are just starting to get interesting. Anyways I'm ready for another movie - maybe one directed by my fellow countrymen, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Alfonso Cuarón or Guillermo del Toro?

I wish I could say that my business was something I'd dreamed of for my whole life and when I was 10 years old I knew I was going to be a wing girl, BUT that is not the case. I started my business because I went out one night and introduced men to women and then said "I should do this for a job. Men need this." From that statement, I posted an ad on Craigslist that got over 75 responses in less than 24 hours and so I started. Over the past decade I've fine-tuned what it is that I offer men and am very happy with the service my business provides to 100's of thousands of men around the world. It was a needed service.

I could answer that in just a "Yes" -- in one word -- but it really was everything. It was actually beyond what I expected. You never know what people are like and how open they will be and he was so open with me as an actor and as a person. He was welcoming of me and excited, he was great. It's a gift, it's a dream come true...to use all the cliches in the book, it's everything I had hoped it to be. I had looked up to him for a very long time in terms of his work, so it's safe to say he didn't disappoint. He gave it everything.

It brings in some new characters and elements. I think the franchise is always upping their game every time they do another one. So it's bringing a lot more of badass'ness that will have your heart racing and leave you wanting more. (I know that's not a word) haha

She's not American and quite the distraction ;)

They never disappoint! That is one thing fans will not have to worry about, you will get everything you expect and more just have to wait and see.

I kept in touch with a few people after wrapping and everyone was devastated. I had the pleasure of meeting him and he was such a humble/beautiful soul. The dynamic between them all was like a family. They were so close. It definitely took them some time to decide whether to proceed forward but I think they knew Paul would be proud and they finished strong in his honor. So blessed to have been a part of that family, even if only for a minute :)

To be honest I always loved being on stage. Whether cheering, singing or acting. But once I did a play at my church and played an orphan and when a mom came up and said her daughter asked if they could adopt me, I was so touched that she thought I was really an orphan and in that moment I felt very inspired.

Well I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Devito in my scenes and let's just say he can prob kick higher than me. He's super flexible. And Cindy will be doing a lot of modern workout moves , we'll call them that. Lol

They are just as funny off screen as they are on screen, no doubt about it. Having my mom call me every five minutes to get Danny to autograph something was funny. And he was totally up for it and kind about it. Seeing all the peanuts in the bar scene reminded me that I wanted boiled peanuts so I kept asking everyone where I can get boiled peanuts at around here and unfortunately I think it's just a southern thing.

I would say Drama, but I love being challenged, so I'm constantly growing and trying new things. I'm new to L.A so I'm just enjoying the process and trying to work hard and have fun so I can one day get to choose the roles I want.

Wow, tough question. So many... Of course Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Reese Witherspoon, Angelina Jolie, Jen Aniston, and even so many girls my age. So many women are bringing something different to the screen there is something to appreciate in everyone. And I'm enjoying seeing so many women kicking a** right now! That is both inspiring and a major influence.

I think to star in a time piece or something based on a true story. Those happen to be my absolute favorites to watch and I think would be most challenging because you want to honor the time or the real story that took place.

Scandal, I'm addicted. Or Game of Thrones. So... Should I wait for a call? Haha

Outdoors (hiking, paddle boarding, on a beach, etc.) and cooking and eating. I love cooking/baking and hosting gatherings, especially around football season. Wings for all. Lol

A lot of great things. I'm looking forward to continuing to grow and challenge myself as an actress and getting the opportunity to inspire young men and women that you can accomplish whatever it is you set your mind to. If you believe it to be true then so it shall be. ;)

I was actually paying my way through school with acting gigs when I was cast as Robert Redford's rival (replacing Paul Newman) in THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER and found that I would get paid more in two months as an actor than I would for a year as an associate professor at a major university, which 'set the stage' for my full-time switch to acting.

Directing, but not by much. Both endeavors are exceptionally challenging and fulfilling.

Acting: NORTH DALLAS FORTY because the role was so different from who I am. Directing: OUTLAW because the producer was an incompetent and dreadful person who made the work excruciatingly difficult and painful and didn't deserve the effort made by most of us.

I have for many years felt that the female gender is the more capable, an understanding that has freed me from having to compete with a very large group of people. When I learned about Rusty Kanokogi, nee Rena Glickman, and her fight against ethnic and gender bias, I knew that I had to bring her story to the screen.

Far too many movies have been about the accomplishments by men and far too few have been about those by women.

Like Rusty, Kayla has fought and overcome great hardships.

No. I had met her aunt Lee Krasner, the wife of the painter Jackson Pollock.

Casting is often determined by box office appeal, STARmeter rating and other variables and not often enough by authenticity...

An absolutely delightful experience with absolutely delightful people in a delightful locale. Did I mention that I liked it?

To describe Quentin as one of a kind doesn't do him or anyone else full justice. To say that he is the most creatively courageous filmmaker I have worked with comes close - and I have worked with some truly great filmmakers.

Under the heading of interesting is the day when we were two days over schedule and Quentin took a walk in the desert with our 1st AD Bill Clark and came back with a most brilliant shot that not only got us back on schedule but should be in the annals of great filmmaking.

The idea was Quentin's. When he apologized for the cameo's brevity and I asked why he then wanted me in the movie, he responded: "History demands it." As to how the experience was... Years earlier I had been set to play Brad Pitt's father in a movie to be filmed in what was then Yugoslavia when the movie I was on in Argentina was delayed by weather problems and they had to find someone else for the part of Brad's father. So I had never met Brad before "Inglourious Basterds". When I did, it was in a dark tunnel on the set in Berlin. We said hello, noted that we are just about as tall, and that was it.

Hmm... I've been pretty good in many sports, but never really great.

Probably the judo competition in Japan in the early 60s, which I lost to the tournament winner in the finals, then the reigning world champion, but was awarded the largest commendation, a scroll for "Most Noble Fighting Spirit" (Sportsmanship).

I'm not that proficient. I enjoy working out and stubbornly train even when my body aches and doesn't want to.

My body told me it was time to quit and my ego reluctantly agreed. My ego tells me that we should have been world champions in judo and perhaps another sport. My heart tells me that being a good family man and friend is far more important. And, frankly, I always did the various sports because I loved them and the camaraderie so winning was not so important.

I'm not much for honors that come with longevity.

Amanda's struggling with no longer having power and it leads her down a destructive path this season. She's not making the best choices and the people surrounding her don't have her best interests in mind.

We've all got songs that remind us about life events. Some of the stories I share about these songs are about musicians/artists who inspired me throughout my career; such as Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Other stories are more personal; like the first time I met my wife, Debbie, or when I became a father. The album really is a soundtrack to my life.

For most of my professional life, I have had the great pleasure of working with young people who have inspired so much in me as a creative mind and as a human being. As a storyteller of social issues for educational films for close to 15 years, I was given the rare opportunity to work with hundreds of young people, many brave enough to share their lives and experiences with me, as both victims and abusers. I have always been conscious that the stories we told came from real kids - using their voices. These are their experiences. Their lives. They reminded me throughout my life that authenticity and truth are key in order to reach them. They relate to the material so much more when they can see their world come to life versus an adult version of what 'we' want them to see.

A Girl Like Her is a story about a 16-year-old girl named Jessica Burns who is bullied mercilessly by her former friend and attempts to take her own life. A documentary film crew is actually at her high school filming the school's celebration of being ranked 10th in the country when the incident takes place. The film crew quickly turns their lens toward Jessica's story and unveils a very common, yet unheard voice, Jessica's tormenter, Avery Keller. It is through Avery's eyes that we begin to learn both sides of the story, as we watch all perspectives unfold almost simultaneously. For the first time, we get to learn from the abuser herself with an unprecedented look at the life of a bully.

One of the realizations of working with generations of youth is the fact that their pain is so often hidden and they don't really have many 'safe spaces' to go to, especially to be themselves. My motivation is that this film inspires hope that change is possible, that from truth and a shift in perspective of how we approach this issue, we can begin the solution and heal together. If the film ignites a spark in our youth to want something better - to understand that in order to solve this epidemic, we need to shake the foundation, stand up and speak out to get to the underlying issues that plague our culture, that is all I could have ever hoped for.

As the film illustrates, from a truth perspective, we can no longer just help the victim and demonize the abuser. We need to shift our perspective to include both sides of the issue and to help both victim and abuser. Without the bully's perspective and seeing the issue through that lens, we can't possibly move on to the next step in the solution, which is healing and social change, hopefully lead by our youth. There is so much fear surrounding this issue but still, there are so many wonderful people dedicating their entire lives to solving it. We need to bring all of those voices together if we ever expect that change is possible. Our youth are the answer. They hold the key to lasting change. A Girl Like Her was created to inspire them to want to lead that change.

Simply put, someone who passionately stands for peace, speaks out for it, lives by example of it and inspires others to follow the values behind it.

One of my hopes is that young people realize their own power, their own voice, and to create their own dialogue and definitions for activities and experiences that have been passed down to them making new social experiences that are based in unity and respect, as one community. And that's what The PEACEkeeper Kit is all about eradicating the old style principles that have been passed down from generation to generation - the social cliques and divisive social structures - and redefine the youth experience as a whole, giving them the tools they need to make a significant change, not only for themselves but for the generations to follow. One of the most important focus points in the Movement is for youth and parents to inspire their communities to open up two seats on every city council and on every school board to allow youth under the age of 18 to join the conversation, with a voice equal to adults. The kit begins the dialogue and provides a 7-step plan of action to be put in place one community at a time. The film is the introduction to the PEACEKeeper Movement. And I can only hope that young people are inspired enough by what they experience by watching the film, to begin the steps that will bring change to their lives. This film doesn't want to just be another voice in the bullying conversation. The goal was to offer a solution. That was the inspiration... to give kids a tool to make the change.

It only takes one young person to begin, and one family to make the impact. It will take leadership, commitment and community support to bring this change to our schools, no doubt, as the task may be an uphill climb for many families that will face resistance to change. An inspired and motivated individual can move a mountain by igniting a passion in others and leading the way. But I believe it will take communities banding together to bring this change to schools - motivating and inspiring the school system to embrace that these changes will create a safe and empowered learning environment, which will result in a stronger and more successful educational experience for all.

Lots and lots of hugs! With a storyline as emotional as the one we were telling, knowing that each and every day, young girls and boys were experiencing in real life what we were filming, it bonded us in a way that is difficult to put into words. I love each one of them and am so grateful for what they brought to their characters and to this film. I could not have imagined any other actors as these characters.

Not so much a favorite moment more than a moment that I will never forget. During one of the bullying scenes when Avery is pushing Jessica into a bathroom stall and throwing her down onto the toilet, Lexi (Jessica) stepped away from the group as we were reviewing the playback of the scene. Hunter was standing next to me and leaned in, whispering, "Lexi just went back into the bathroom." I turned and headed into the bathroom to find her sobbing, in the stall, on the propped landing board over the toilet that her character is thrown down onto. She shared with me that this scene in particular hit her hard because she was thinking of Phoebe Prince and all that she endured, one of her inspirations for her character Jessica. (Phoebe was just 15 years old when she ended her life after over 4 months of being bullied and harassed by a group of her peers). We hugged and talked for a while before rejoining the group. It was a moment that I will not soon forget.

I am happy to share that no, there were no major challenges. And even with all the different cameras running, there were no technical problems. Even the Michigan weather seemed to cooperate. Unlike normal December weather in the Great Lakes state, not a flake of snow covered our exterior sets - anyone who lives here can tell you - that is unheard of! That was incredibly important because the heart of our story takes place in springtime.

Personally, I've been on both sides of this story. When I was just 6 years old, someone I thought was my friend bullied me physically. It started off just like any other friendship, but once I started spending time at his house, things drastically changed. He threatened that he would hurt me if I didn't do what he demanded, locking me in his trundle bed and in closets. I once told his mother how he was treating me and she denied that her son could ever do such things. I was too scared to tell my parents what was happening, so I stayed silent. Less than a year later, my family moved cities and I met another young boy who quickly became my friend. This time though, I was in charge and I liked how that felt. I became a young bully myself, mainly fighting with boys, or anyone who threatened myself or someone I cared about. With this new approach to life, I can say that I felt I didn't have many friends. I would pretend that I didn't care, but I was hurting, which I could only express through anger. It was terribly sad. And so was I. I lost myself in the power struggle and my true identity was no where to be found. Since these challenging years, I've learned so much and have worked a great deal on myself. I know I am a person that projects. I have worked through that my whole life and I still consider myself a work in progress today.

To leave technology out of the film would not be telling the whole story. There is a layered reality to the bullying epidemic. First and foremost, today, there is no escape from the bulliers. There is absolutely no escape. Bullies can continue their pursuit well after the school day and can build an army of followers with social media. Secondly, there are many resources out there that do not require any responsibility to a code of ethics and allows accounts to be set up anonymously, making it even easier to attack their victims without consequence. We address this reality in the film by exposing how Avery uses technology to invade Jessica's life, leaving Jessica feeling as if there is no escape, no way out for her. We watch how one text, email or social media post can completely dismantle her emotionally and crumble her spirit. This is happening right now, today, at this very moment, to millions of young people around the globe.

Any person, anywhere in the world, who is affected, either personally or through affiliation, by the bullying epidemic, on either side of the issue, past or present day.

Most bully stories we hear about are from the point of view of the victim... we rarely get a glimpse at the other side, mainly because there is a great deal of denial that comes with being identified as an abuser. Plus, we don't usually create a safe space for those who do identify with this behavior to come forward and discuss it. So how can we possibly understand unless we begin to see the experience through their eyes? Some people don't want to understand, and believe me, I have been there myself in extreme cases. But if we are able to understand that people express pain in different ways, we can begin to view this issue from a different angle - something I believe is critical if we hope to ever end the behavior. If we continue to demonize one side, and victimize the other, that cycle will continue to lead us into the abyss. Seeing the experience through both perspectives is as critical to solving this epidemic as it is to keeping the victim safe from further harm. Therefore, the film HAD to focus on the perspective of the abuser in order to break this cycle and to get to the truth. Avery Keller is that truth. Her story, like a million others out there trying to conceal their pain through emotional projection onto others, is a reflection of the issue at large, right in our face. We cannot come out of this film unaffected. She forces us into her life and into the pain that we absolutely need to understand in order shift that perspective that behind every abuser is a victim herself.

When I was just a teen, I was given an opportunity to intern at a local cable station, where I quickly became obsessed with "anything TV and film". My high school also offered radio and television classes, where I was very involved in that program, but once I entered into University, that is where my passion for storytelling and film became the focus for my life journey. I haven't looked back since and can't imagine doing anything else with my life.

Anything that has to do with animals and the well being of children. Especially being able to share those passions with my kids! This summer, we helped organized our daughter's fundraiser for a wonderful animal rescue in Michigan called Providing for Paws. She raised over $2000 and we were happy to match her donation to give these incredible people the means to provide medical care, food and shelter to animals in need. A tortoise named Mama Kohl was rescued by this group, after being abused and left in a dumpster. I shared the story with my daughter, who was so moved by the rescue that she decided to spend her summer raising the money (selling homemade cookies and lemonade). She reached her goal by the end of the summer!

Mainly spend time with my family, traveling to our favorite places, like Mackinac Island, Toronto and Chicago, going to the movies, raising money for animals or adopting more of them, playing soccer and basketball, and just being together, doing the things we love. They are my heart and the reason I do pretty much anything.

Hopefully sharing the film and speaking to communities across the country about The PeaceKeeper Movement. I am also very excited to begin development on my next passion project, a film focused on a transgendered story, as well as prepping to direct a Detroit-based fantasy film that pits two teenagers against an ancient force that is terrorizing their city (Nain Rouge).

Deon: Of course I hoped we would have a long career, but there are no guarantees as far as the music world goes. Pretty proud of what we've been able to accomplish.

Deon: I feel like this album is very much a "This is who we are, right now" album. We really just tried to create honest songs that portrayed the influences of the five members.

Deon: I think we gave less sway to the idea of criticism. This album was purely for fans and for us. It was one last goodbye, so we didn't allow fear of anything to hold us back.

Deon: The crossed fingers first appeared inside our album, Vital. Since then, it has been a somewhat unofficial logo for us. When Nate was discussing this album with our long time friend and graphic designer, Jordan Butcher, the idea came up to make the logo a little more official by having it grace the cover.

Deon: It makes me feel very good. We wanted something that would be iconic in its own way. Judging by the pictures we've seen, I think we have achieved that.

Deon: I think it brings us full circle. We worked with Matt Goldman, Aaron Marsh and Aaron Sprinkle this time around. They are all three people that have been with us since the beginning, so I feel like they were able to help us make the honest album we needed to make. Deciding to go through with one last album wasn't the easiest decision, but I think it was better to leave our dedicated fans with something in the end.

Deon: No way. I've done and seen things so many people will never get a chance to do and see. Being part of Anberlin was like being a part of a very exclusive club. I wouldn't take any of it back.

Deon: It felt surreal. I had heard my old band's songs on the radio before, but only on a local, late night show on a small station. That doesn't compare to getting into a car in a different state and having your song just come into rotation next to bands like Foo Fighters and Rise Against.

Deon: Of course, but the facts that I have enjoyed this band so much and have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by great friends that I consider family, they definitely make dealing with the whole traveling thing easier.

Deon: It's the ONLY way we have survived. We have such dedicated fans that have been there for us. A band without a fan base isn't a band at all. We have been very lucky to have that solid support for 12 years.

Deon: Long story short; A turkey flew through the windshield of our bus a few years ago. It lived too! It's just one of those things where you look at what has just happen and ask, what are the odds?!

Deon: I try not to think about it, but I know there will be moments when it will hit me and it will get tough. I really want to try and not dwell on it though. I want to soak in every moment I can.

Deon: For me, I want to try to get to all my favorite food/drink spots around the world. I've had a lot of good times just hanging with friends and discovering bars and restaurants while on tour. My favorite probably being a little Italian spot in Melbourne, AUS named Pellegrini's. After 12 years of touring the same cities, some of these places begin to feel like my own local hangout, so it'll be nice to go back at least one more time during Anberlin even if it's not my last time visiting those countries.

Deon: I think most of the dates are announced by now, but we definitely tried to hit as many places as possible in the small timeframe we had. You can expect to see us in New York, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Sydney, Singapore along with many other places.

In reality, both Cristela and her "Cristela" character have very little differences. She IS living the American dream. Just 2 years ago she was struggling to make rent and today she is executive producer, writer and star of her own TV comedy. The only obvious difference between her real life & character is that the real Cristela never went to law school. She chose that career for the show because she figured more people would relate to it.

It feels like the ultimate compliment to the countless hours spent by Courtney Kemp Agboh (our creator) and her producing and writing team devising intricate, fascinating, complex story lines for a show envisioned beautifully by our E.P., Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and Mark Canton, and brought to life by a group of talented actors and stellar crew. It feels like I have found a secure home in an equally dedicated network in Starz and Chris Albrecht to springboard my gifts as the lead of this groundbreaking show. As an ex athlete, it feels like we may truly have the pedigree to be spoken about for some years to come like the very strong teams of all leagues. Humbled.

More of me! More trouble, more crazy antics, more depth of character. It was a fun season for me.

I was about 12 years old when I really started practicing and taking my singing and music seriously. By then, I knew it was something I loved and wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Sophie is in the city when her father gets in trouble, so she is obviously going through the situation with him. Throughout the film you see Sophie being very supportive of her father, even though her life is affected by his actions and it would be easier to not support him.

It is about Simon Bolivar -- "El Libertador". His struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire. Bolivar is to South American what George Washington is to the US.

I am generally drawn to characters who have secrets. Peter is a man who struggles with myriad secrets surrounding his past, his actions, and who he is at his core - his fundamental make-up as an individual. He is affected by a deep trench of pain that runs through everything he does, and every decision he makes. As a performer, I find this to be a very attractive challenge.

Actually, it was a pretty long audition process. I went on an audition and I met with Bruno Heller, the brilliant creator of the show, and the casting director. I had a little audition, and they wanted me to come back for it later and test for it immediately. So I did...and then I tested for it again, and then I tested for it again, and then I think one more time after that--so I did quite a few tests. One of them they actually cut my hair for and I had a whole big, huge mound of hair cut on the floor when they had my hair cut for one of the tests. I think that was the last test. After the last test, I felt really good about it, and the amount of kids they were looking at was getting smaller and smaller. After the last test, I was getting fidgety because a week and a half later we still didn't know anything. Two weeks later I found out that I had booked it!

I was actually in a public place when I found out I booked it. My mom found out the day before, but I had gotten in trouble at school that day and it was my sister's birthday, so she didn't want to tell me that day. She told me the day after and I was in a public place when I found out; my agent told me and I was in shock. I didn't want to scream because there were people around me when I ended up getting it.