I’ve been working steadily since I was 4 years old, and for as long as I can remember, my life has been shaped by storytelling. I grew up in New York, stepping onto sets before most kids learn how to read, and somehow the spotlight never really left. More than 25 years later, acting is still my home, but my relationship with it, and with myself, has evolved in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Most people know me from Heroes or Nashville, or from films like Scream, Remember the Titans or Ice Princess. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to build a career that’s spanned television, film and now even producing. But behind the roles and red carpets has always been a very human journey— one that hasn’t always followed a neat, chronological path.
That truth became especially clear while writing my memoir. I’ve been working on it for about a year and a half, and I can honestly say it’s been one of the most cathartic, therapeutic experiences of my life. There is nothing easy about sharing your personal stories with the entire world, knowing they’ll be judged, interpreted and discussed. But my hope is that by being honest, the book will help people feel less alone in their own struggles. If it can offer even a small sense of comfort or recognition, then I’ve done what I set out to do.
“Strength doesn’t come from having it all figured out.”
Writing didn’t come naturally at first. Acting has always been my language—I am used to using emotion, movement and connection, but I am not so used to using words on a page. I had an incredible team guiding me through the process, helping me learn how to structure my life into something cohesive. My experiences don’t always flow neatly from one chapter to the next, so figuring out how to tell the story in a way people could follow was a challenge. But, once the memories started coming, they came in waves. One story would unlock another, and eventually the process found its rhythm.
Because I started working so young, I learned early on how to step in and out of intense emotional spaces. As a kid on set, you might be filming a heartbreaking scene and then immediately have to switch gears for 20 minutes of algebra. That kind of mental flexibility becomes second nature. As I’ve gotten older, though, I’ve found myself going deeper into the characters I play…and while I love that, it can make it harder to fully step away at the end of the day.
Self-care, for me, is about quieting my mind. When I need to reset, I focus on one thing, which is usually reading. I always have a book with me on set, especially fantasy or sci-fi. Those worlds pull me completely out of my own head and let my imagination rest somewhere else. It’s almost meditative, and it’s one of the simplest ways I know to come back to myself.
Looking ahead, I’m entering a very full and exciting chapter. I have a packed schedule, and honestly, I like it that way. An idle mind isn’t always a healthy one! One project I’m especially excited about is Sleepwalker, a psychological thriller. I play a mother navigating unimaginable loss, trapped between reality and a nightmare world as she descends into darkness. It’s a deeply layered role, and I also had the opportunity to produce the film, which was incredibly fulfilling. Being involved on both sides of the camera made me feel truly connected to the project, from creation to execution.
At this stage in my life, I’m embracing complexity—in my work and in my own personal story. I’m still learning, still growing and still finding new ways to care for myself while doing what I love. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that strength doesn’t come from having it all figured out. It comes from continuing to show up, telling your truth and allowing yourself to evolve. And that, more than anything, is the story I’m proud to share.
