Teyonah Parris Quotes

I don't think that artists of any kind would or could sacrifice their artistic freedom by being more responsible with their influence on people, especially young people.

Athletes are given a really special platform. It's our duty, as athletes, to be role models.

I choose roles according to my sensibilities.

In my house, education was the paramount value. And if you grew up in a neighborhood like mine, you were forced to decide early on what you stood for in life, because there were a lot of peer pressures that could take you the wrong way.

I'm used to my films having little effect on making the world a better place.

I'm not a writer; I'm an actor. My job is to take whatever character I'm given and - especially because I have the responsibility of being a black actress, and I know young black girls are looking up, and everyone's looking to what's on television - to just try to give whatever character I'm playing as three-dimensional a portrayal as I can.

Sly Stone made such a huge contribution to the good feeling in the universe, and I love him as a singer.

Actors, like it or not, their voices carry deeply into the culture: people look towards them for attitudes, for right or wrong, and today, the mainstream media doesn't really balance the unheard.

I've always been a searcher - you know, a hunter. I'm certainly not the only one. They say actors shouldn't get political and everything, but you can't separate yourself. You can't disconnect yourself from anything.

Forty-five million people hit that button for 'In These Streets.' When you find out you have that kind of popularity, you better use it. It's called responsibility.

I feel like I'm changing pop culture.

I know that my voice and my vote matter and that I can help shape the outcome of events that I care deeply about.

I don't choose projects according to the idea of being a role model. To be considered as one is definitely an honor.

I've never, ever taken a role for money purposes or for some bizarre notion of what may be the kind of career move that would open things up for me. If I don't believe in it, I can't do it because I won't be good in it if I don't believe in it.

I feel like, if I'm going to have young, impressionable people listening to my music, then I'm going to respect that.

My agent and I are very clear on what kind of roles I'm interested in, and I don't want to perpetuate any stereotypes.

I will not accept a role just because a big hero stars in it. I am not here to merely dance, run around trees, and be a glam doll.

I do think responsibility does come with a lot of power, and more than that, it comes with the fact that you can actually change the thinking of those not only in your country but in the countries where your films are watched.

Lately, I have realised that as an actor, I am representing certain aspirations to the world, and it's important that I respect the love people have for me.

I've played quite a lot of real people, and it carries a special responsibility.

I take it seriously that it's a privilege and honor to be a role model to young girls, both black and white. It's not something I take lightly.

I am not some intellectual hoping to be understood a century from now. I'm a political leader. I have to stand in front of my community. If I am a metre too far out in front of the people, I'll lose them.

It's crazy that people are looking to me as a symbol like, 'Oh, he's the voice of the youth. He's this and this and that.' I feel like there's a lot of pressure that comes with it, when people look to you as the face of something.

As an actor, it's very rare that you get a choice in a matter. But you're always looking for something that has some gravitas.

TV is a medium with a wide reach and viewers consider actors role models. Hence, one must realize the responsibility of portraying a certain character.