Amber Riley

Back in high school, I went on dates, but I was too focused on my career. My parents were like, 'It's nice to have a boyfriend, but it's even nicer to own your house when you're 21.'

When I receive letters from girls that say, 'You give me confidence,' I think, 'Wow, this is amazing.' That's my goal: to let people know it's truly what's on the inside that counts.

Hollywood is a very hard place to be in. It really is.

I worked at Ikea as a customer service rep for two years and loved it.

As a kid, I was super skinny.

I've always been comfortable with my size.

What is the use in being a celebrity if you can't use the platform to help?

I want to encourage young women to stand up for each other and speak up when they see others in a tough situation.

Being the person I am, you know, the size I am, being a woman, being a black woman, there's not a lot of roles for us.

I dreamed really big when I was little.

I love Adele, I want her to be my best friend. She could come to the U.S., live with me and sing to me every morning.

I am so girly. I love dresses.