Matt McGorry

I got a lot of empathy from my mother growing up, and I think it prevented me from ever really just writing people off.

I have a background in erotic dancing, but that's mostly just - it's not professional, it's just amateur.

I never particularly thought of myself as great with girls. I can be awkward, and I have a strange sense of humor at times. But I've also been learning to try and embrace that.

When you're used to being at a point where you're deadlifting close to 600 pounds, getting to be 5.5 percent body fat and seeing veins in places you shouldn't see them, it kind of skews your understanding of what is normal and OK.

The whole reason I did a bodybuilding show was to see how far I could push my own discipline. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. When I made the switch to acting, I was able to break that down into small, measurable goals like I did with bodybuilding.

In 2010, I was ranked top 50 in the deadlift in three different weight classes, and I won my first natural bodybuilding competition.

It'll be interesting to see if I ever have to play a typical, bland romantic interest. I'm quirky, and playing it kind of straight and bland doesn't interest me a whole lot.

There's some part of me, as an actor, that likes attention and validation, but on any given day, depending on the style and volume of it, it can be too much.

My character on 'Orange is the New Black' is not one that requires being absolutely shredded with 5% body fat. But I wouldn't be opposed to doing that for a role one day.

I honestly love any good chick flick, as long as it's a good movie or pretty funny. 'Love Actually' is a no-brainer.

At some point, you're just happy to be a working actor, but to be able to do it with people you really love and enjoy spending time with, it's just such a rare thing. You hear so many horror stories.

I love the stuff that makes you laugh and cry. It kind of sucker-punches you a little bit. That's the thing that most interests me as a performer, in addition to telling the most captivating story.