Ashleigh Murray

I'm a huge 'Dragon Ball Z' fan, so when they were trying to make a live-action movie, I was, like, 'No!' ”

I did musicals. It's funny, because I can hide behind a character and a voice, but when I have to bring myself and my own voice to it, it's very nerve-wracking. ”

My hair was curly, and everyone else's was straight or in micro braids. I didn't have a lot of money, so I shopped at thrift stores. And I'm petite - I never looked shapely. I remember thinking, 'Will I ever have that stereotypical round, full butt that people think most black women have? I had to find another way to feel good about myself. ”

I want to be able to give a positive image for people to look up to. ”

I would be remiss not to take advantage of this platform that I have, because I don't want any other woman or girl feeling like the way that I felt: that I didn't belong, that I would never succeed in the medium that I'm choosing to pursue because my hair isn't straight or my skin isn't light or my eyes aren't bright. ”

We are not all the same. If you care that much, if you're that invested in us as artists and the changes that we're trying to make and the work that we're putting out there, then at least give us the same decency and respect to know that I am not Yara Shahidi and never will I be. ”