I’m trying to think, like, ‘Wow, I know one day, my kids are not going to live with me. They’re gonna be like, ‘Oh my god, Mom, leave me alone!’ So I try to be grateful for all the little things. Perspective really lets me slow down.
Mom
I have six brothers and one sister, and I was an ice hockey player when I was younger. I think my dad thought I was going to be in the women's league for ice hockey. But, I totally fell in love with drama in grade school, and I asked my mom if I could get involved with it.
I have six brothers and one sister, and I was an ice hockey player when I was younger. I think my dad thought I was going to be in the women’s league for ice hockey. But, I totally fell in love with drama in grade school, and I asked my mom if I could get involved with it.
My mom would always say, 'Hair is a woman's beauty.' I cut my hair all off. I was completely bald, and that was, like, 'What in the world?' My mom was like, 'What happened?' She had so many questions.
My mom would always say, ‘Hair is a woman’s beauty.’ I cut my hair all off. I was completely bald, and that was, like, ‘What in the world?’ My mom was like, ‘What happened?’ She had so many questions.
If it wasn't for women, I wouldn't be here. I'm a mamma's boy at heart. I love my mom. I have the deepest, utmost respect for women.
If it wasn’t for women, I wouldn’t be here. I’m a mamma’s boy at heart. I love my mom. I have the deepest, utmost respect for women.
My mom is the most positive person. She has always had a smile on her face no matter what came her way. After seeing that, I'm not going to let a little cellulite get in the way of my happiness!
My mom is the most positive person. She has always had a smile on her face no matter what came her way. After seeing that, I’m not going to let a little cellulite get in the way of my happiness!
My mom was the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School, in 1946. She had leadership roles in the law, in government and the corporate world. She was a great role model in that she felt anything was possible.
My mom was the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School, in 1946. She had leadership roles in the law, in government and the corporate world. She was a great role model in that she felt anything was possible.
I did go through a bit of a dark time during the years I was trying to be a mom. But I'm basically a very positive person.
I did go through a bit of a dark time during the years I was trying to be a mom. But I’m basically a very positive person.
My parents were educated in the Turkish system and went straight from high school to medical school; my mom, who had skipped a grade, was dissecting corpses at age seventeen. Growing up in America, I think I envied my parents' education. By comparison, everything I did in school seemed so sort of low-stakes and infantilizing.
My parents were educated in the Turkish system and went straight from high school to medical school; my mom, who had skipped a grade, was dissecting corpses at age seventeen. Growing up in America, I think I envied my parents’ education. By comparison, everything I did in school seemed so sort of low-stakes and infantilizing.
Every day in our house is like Valentine's Day. I've kept it traditional with what my dad has done with my mom. Every morning, I get up and I make coffee and I bring Giuliana coffee in bed.
Every day in our house is like Valentine’s Day. I’ve kept it traditional with what my dad has done with my mom. Every morning, I get up and I make coffee and I bring Giuliana coffee in bed.
To me, acting used to be just, 'Get my face out there, get girls, make a little bit of money, make my mom proud.' It was just like sports. But there were moments in 'Moonlight' that I really felt like I had to know why he is the way he is. Or just people in general – why this person walks around with a frown on their face instead of a smile.
To me, acting used to be just, ‘Get my face out there, get girls, make a little bit of money, make my mom proud.’ It was just like sports. But there were moments in ‘Moonlight’ that I really felt like I had to know why he is the way he is. Or just people in general – why this person walks around with a frown on their face instead of a smile.
I hope telling the story of how I went from being a single mom to serving in the Texas State Senate to running for governor will remind others that with the right leadership in government, where you start has nothing to do with how far you go.
I hope telling the story of how I went from being a single mom to serving in the Texas State Senate to running for governor will remind others that with the right leadership in government, where you start has nothing to do with how far you go.
My mom and pop took me to the Apollo Theater on my thirteenth birthday to see Heavy D and Keith Sweat. It was late at night, up on 125th Street, and it was crazy!
My mom and pop took me to the Apollo Theater on my thirteenth birthday to see Heavy D and Keith Sweat. It was late at night, up on 125th Street, and it was crazy!
My mom was a teacher – I have the greatest respect for the profession – we need great teachers – not poor or mediocre ones.
My mom was a teacher – I have the greatest respect for the profession – we need great teachers – not poor or mediocre ones.
I started modeling when I was – not older, but not 12. I have a mom who's a feminist – she's an English professor, an intellectual. She really gave me the equipment to understand that you can celebrate yourself without putting yourself down or needing to apologize for the way you look. I think that attitude is really crucial for a model.
I started modeling when I was – not older, but not 12. I have a mom who’s a feminist – she’s an English professor, an intellectual. She really gave me the equipment to understand that you can celebrate yourself without putting yourself down or needing to apologize for the way you look. I think that attitude is really crucial for a model.