Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee Diana Smollett-Bell is an American actress. She began her career as a child actress appearing on television sitcoms, with her most significant regular role being on On Our Own. She received critical acclaim and Critic's Choice Award for playing title role in the 1997 independent drama film Eve's Bayou...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTV Actress
Date of Birth1 October 1986
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
For me, seeing our history told in this light, the ones who did rebel, the ones who did revolt, the revolutionaries, excited me. Seeing this story of the Underground Railroad ... and that is such a proud part of our history that not a lot of us know about, where these brave men and women, they were heroes, really helped tear down the system of slavery just by running.
But really, for me, I tried to find first-person accounts. I tried to read stories from men and women who had survived slavery because it's different when you hear it from their mouths instead of reading it from a history book.
My best advice would be that you have to be vulnerable with each other. Like, everyone says you have to be honest, you have to communicate; like, yes, of course, but you gotta be willing to be vulnerable.
I try to give each performance my own soul, to bring a truth to my character. Hopefully, when I bring that much truth to a character, it resonates with somebody, and it sparks some kind of emotion in them.
I just live my life. I go where I feel God is calling me.
I don't really think about the critics or the commercial success.
I come from a family of four brothers, so I like sports.
I love music, and I love drumlines. I like school bands a lot. There's nothing wrong with cheerleading, but I'd rather be a band geek. It's a little more interesting.
You go through those awkward, dorky, geeky stages, and growing up in the industry amplifies all that. Fortunately, I have a mother who encouraged me to build my confidence from within and embrace my imperfections.
My little brothers loved baseball. I'm not as big on that as basketball or football, but I understand the game.
I have so many passions outside of my passion for acting.
I am oftentimes the ear for some people that I know and love. Which I like being. I don't know if I'd like being a marriage counselor, though, because that's too deep for me.
There are so many people who will try and make you feel like your opinion doesn't matter, and I've learned how important it is to use your voice.
Everyone has a past, but I try not to let that affect the way I see them; I want to get to know who they are today.