Beanie Feldstein

My real name is Elizabeth, but I had a nanny growing up who called me 'Elizabeanie.' So from 4 months old, my brothers were, like, 'Let's call her Beanie.' To show people the validity of it, I always say that if I met the president, I would say, 'Hi, my name is Beanie.' ”

My whole life, not just in my professional career but in community theater, I played the supporting role. ”

I saw 'Brooklyn' so many times. ”

I did my first little kids' musical, 'The Sound of Music,' at 5, in a jungle gym, essentially. I was a made-up Von Trapp child, Ingrid Von Trapp. ”

The way other kids would watch 'The Little Mermaid' or 'Sesame Street,' I would watch 'Fiddler on the Roof.' ”

I was pushed into trying Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig... and I absolutely hated it. It affected me deeply. ”

When you have two people who are the smart girls, then the 'smart' ceases to exist; they're just women who are smart. ”

I've always been totally obsessed with theater - especially musicals. ”

I only ever want to be a part of something that feels good to me, because I'm such a feminist and a believer in the power of women and the stories we have to tell. ”

I despised trying to lose weight, and I resented everyone that made me feel like I had to. ”