Quotes

"Definitely gymnastics, because I was a gymnast for 11 years. That's my thing. My girlfriend Betty Okino was in the 1992 Olympics and won a bronze medal. She's a gymnast. So I'm a huge fan." - On her favorite event in the Olympics.

[winning acting awards] Awards were never something on my brain. I never even imagined-I mean, every kid that wants to be an actor imagines accepting the award one day-but I never actually thought it would happen. It never occurred to me that I would even be nominated, to be honest with you. So I just was doing what I loved to do with an incredible group of people, with amazing writing that I was so fortunate to have. It was never like, a plan: I'm going to do this and go win awards.

[why she joined the sitcom Mom] Well, the first thing that was appealing was the fact that Chuck Lorre called me and said he wanted me to do it. Anytime Chuck Lorre calls you and says he wants you to do something, you're like, "Yup, okay." It's kind of like if [My Name Is Earl creator] Greg Garcia were to call me and say he wants me to do something, I'm there. So the opportunity to work with him was a no-brainer for me. And to go to work with Allison Janney and Anna Faris? That was another no-brainer for me.

[becoming an actress] I always wanted to act. I started out modeling first because I had entered a model search when I was back home in North Carolina. I found it in the back of a magazine, and I ended up winning. My mom and I came out here to California, and they brought us back out again because they wanted me to shoot for the cover of Teen magazine. Two other girls and I ended up getting it, and my mom and I moved out the month that my first cover came out, which was June of '92. So that was how I got my foot in the door. But standing in front of the camera and just posing was never the plan. It was fun for a minute and I loved the travel. But it was never my end-game plan, by any means.

[being fearless as a teen] I had no fear. You know, really, fear never came into my body until I had a child. I was just fearless in every way. I was excited and eager to travel. It was fun for me- although I can't imagine ever sending my child away at 15 and not going with them. But for me, it was different. I was a different kid. I grew up very quickly and I had a good head on my shoulders. I knew what I wanted, and I was a fighter. I wanted to get out there and see the world and I wanted to travel. So it never even crossed my mind to be afraid.

[why she legally emancipated from your parents as a young teen to become a model] It wasn't a bad thing. It wasn't like I divorced my parents. It was because neither of them could go with me, and as a teenager, I had to get past child labor laws. So we emancipated me so that I could go to Japan on the contract.

[reaction to nudity in her early roles] I mean, there were moments of me feeling like I hate doing this, but like I said, I grew up as a dancer. Dancers are very comfortable with their bodies. Also, I had a European brain back then when it came to showing your body, so I didn't think it was that big of a deal. And then, you know, you have kids and you cover up. Overall, I didn't love it and I can tell you that the manager that I had for many years pushed me in that direction. So it wasn't necessarily my choice, but it was how I was managed. Whether that was right or wrong, I have my own opinions but you know, it worked.

[9/11] I was supposed to be on that first plane. I was in North Carolina, and I needed to go to L.A. To get there, I had three different options -- none of which were direct flights. One of the options was Raleigh to Boston to L.A. At the last minute I changed it. I was like, a) I don't want to get up that early, and b) it's stupid to go around your ass to get to your thumb. So I canceled it last minute. And that turned out to be the first plane to hit the World Trade Center. I don't really like to talk about it, but there it is. It's what could have been.

[life lessons from her father] My father taught me what it is to fish -- to be able to breathe, to be able to chill out and wait for the fish to bite. Simple things like that have really helped me stay in this business, because it's a waiting game. You've gotta be able to calm down and not take every job. You wanna wait for the big fish.

[her name] The people who actually give a damn about me spell my name correctly.

[pregnancy changing her body] Sometimes I'll stand before the mirror naked and hold my belly and say, "This is the most amazing thing ever." But honey, these little saddlebags on the side of me right now [grabs her thighs], I never had anything like that. And my boobs are completely out of control. When my milk comes in, I'm going to be able to feed a small village. After I have the baby, I'm going to get back to the gym and G.I. Jane it and I'll get back in shape.

[comic timing] You're either born with it or not.

[posing nude] Once you've appeared in Playboy, you can't ever work for Procter & Gamble.

[dreaming of being a mom] It's the one thing that has been consistent throughout my life and was always a goal for me. That goal is why I've worked so hard; I wanted to know I could financially support myself as well as my children.

The celebrity I am mistaken for is Margot Robbie. It happens all the time.