Dania Ramirez

The love of my life found me! That's how he would say it, anyway, since he claims he was attracted to my energy before I even turned around.

I got into the entertainment world and started modelling when I was 15. When I told my parents that was what I was going to do for a living, it was very shocking for them.

For me, when my agents and reps send me a script, I read it through, just for the story purpose of it, and then I read it again to think of my character and see if it's something that I'm interested in bringing to life.

Being an immigrant gives you so much courage.

The Sopranos' was a very East Coast show; 'Heroes' is more organically global.

When I was filming 'Premium Rush' in N.Y.C., I flew to L.A. to have a few general meetings. I sat down with Peter Cramer at Universal Studios and spoke about my life and career, and being that I'm such a goof, we spoke about how I really wanted to do a comedy next.

I think, a lot of times, when you're a first-time mom, you just want to be so careful, and you overanalyze things sometimes. But I think your first instinct as a mother is always right.

I think very few shows have come into our industry and changed the tempo and the narrative of stories, and 'Once Upon a Time' did that.

America was built by immigrants. Immigrants come here for work - to contribute and get to a better place. That's my story. It's a story of hope.

I got to work with Sarah Michelle Gellar, and that's the thing that you dream of.

Honestly, it's the most amazing feeling in the world to be able to work on something that you're really proud of.

You want to give your children better than what you had and make them feel like they have everything. But I think there is also a lot of value in making them work for things and allowing them to see other places.