Selenis Leyva quotes:

My parents made it a point that, although I was born and raised in New York City, I needed to speak Spanish because they wanted me to be able to communicate with my elders when I went to Santo Domingo or when my family came to visit from Cuba.

In my household, everything happens in the kitchen. My parents have this pretty big home, and it doesn't matter how big it is, we will all squeeze ourselves in the kitchen and just chat while my mom or dad cooks.

My grandmother was this amazing woman in the Dominican Republic who used to read tea leaves and palms. She would cure people in her neighborhood by going into her garden, plucking a couple of leaves, and brewing teas.

I watched 'House of Cards' in three days - and only in three days because I had other responsibilities, like my daughter. I couldn't just sit there and watch the entire season in just one sitting.

Honestly, six months before getting 'Orange Is the New Black,' I remember telling my manager I was done.

I did sketch comedy with a troupe at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

I went to Rikers one time to do 'Third Watch,' and I remember thinking, 'Wow, this is a scary place.' We were using a section of the prison where half of it was still populated by inmates.

Even in times of great sadness, there are always moments where we crack up.

I couldn't even imagine not being able to take long, hot showers or wear makeup whenever I wanted or shave my underarms. There are certain things people take for granted.

My routine definitely starts with brows. I do add a little bit of mascara - even to the gym. I have to! I love Maybelline and Covergirl, just drugstore brands. I'm telling you, they're the best.

When I'm a little bit upset, my eyebrow goes up, and that is a trait that my beautiful mother passed down to me. We always knew in the house: 'Mommy's upset; her eyebrow just went up.'

My favorite thing is just sitting in a makeup chair and letting makeup artists do their thing.

I believe in God. I got down on my knees and I said, 'I get it. If this isn't for me, then it isn't for me.' And then a week later, I started working. I worked on 'The Following,' I worked on 'Elementary,' I worked on a pilot and then I got 'Orange.' So literally from that moment of deep surrender, that's when you're blessed.