I've been a teenage girl, too, so I've had my own insecurities and my own struggles that I've got through.

Growing up, I was definitely a tomboy, an overall-and-Converse type of girl, and I still am, but for events, I love dressing up.

I separate myself from my characters as much as possible, but I have these books that I create which are interactive diaries/timelines/memory books/pictures of the character's entire world.

I actually began my career by convincing my parents to let me be an actress when I was 12 with a PowerPoint presentation describing acting and my goals.

Secondary school parents tell me that they are frustrated, that their teachers ignore them, their children don't give them much feedback because they are adolescents, they feel kind of out of the loop.

I've lived all my life in the U.S., but to be brutally honest, I don't really have any ties to the country apart from my mum and dad. Most of the rest of my family live in the Stockport area, and I've always related more to that side of my background.

I deeply appreciate the people of Michigan. I love their grit. I love the way they face life. I love the family values they have.

My daughter, I'm proud to say, is senior vice president of ABC Family network. She could hire and fire me. She has hired me, but she has not fired me.