On evolving from the "child star" label:
“When people think of me initially, they remember me as ‘Akeelah'. Sometimes it can be frustrating to be remembered at an age that you’ve outgrown. But at the same time, it’s never frustrated me to the point where I wanted to lash out. I just take it one step at a time. I’ve been patient in letting other people adapt to me and my growth....As an adult, you don’t have to go around saying ‘Hey, I’m an adult!’ That would be like me saying ‘Guess what — I’m black!’ You know it already.
On "owning" who she is:
“I just [try to] constantly be a professional by asking for what I need in the right way. I feel like you have to tell people who you are, but you don’t have to be disrespectful about it. But you also don’t have to be a shrinking violet. For a long time, when I was younger, I would always act like a little kid and I would just [bow] down because I would never want to feel like I’m being disrespectful to someone. But at the same time, I was like ‘I’m 18 years old and I’m not a kid anymore.’ I don’t have to wait for people to do things for me. I started saying ‘No, that’s not OK. This is what I want. This is what I need from you. Please and thank you.’
On landing the role of Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas:
“It was a dream come true. I never would’ve imagined that I would be doing something like that. Being a kid growing up and loving TLC and then doing the movie and playing my favorite member? It was overwhelming.
Afterward, when I saw other people’s reactions to it, there was a little bit of added pressure. Typically when I approach a project, I always have pressure on myself because I want to surpass my last project. But realizing even much more so how big of a deal this was going to be for fans, I realized ‘omigod, I really have to nail this!’ ”
On overcoming a financially-strapped childhood:
“I didn’t come from a lot. I had a lot of love and support from my family, but as far as money and that type of thing, I didn’t really have any of that. All I did was follow my dreams. If my fans take anything from me, I hope it would be that. It’s not just me being so special — they are, too. They just haven’t realized it yet.”
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