The thought of me wanting to act was not an option when I was growing up, so I was getting my teaching credential.

I probably didn't talk in public until eighth grade, and then in high school, I started doing oral interpretation - kind of like monologues. Through theater and plays, I started coming out of my shell.

Although I would like the negative balanced with the positive, what really bothers me is if it's not real. You can add humanity to what might look like a negative role.

Growing up in an Italian family, you use a harsh tone and 10 minutes later everybody forgets about it.

Everything outside doesn't matter when I'm on the court; it's just me and nothing else. Family problems, school, what happened to my father, all the stress goes away.

My family is from Nigeria, and my full name is Uzoamaka, which means 'The road is good.'

I filmed 'Albatross' before I got 'Downton.' It's a coming-of-age movie about this girl who leaps into this family's life, like a whirlwind. She's ballsy and brash and wonderful, it was such an amazing character to play.