“I’ve admired Frida Kahlo ever since I got my bachelor’s degree in art history. At first I fell in love with her use of color, but as I learned about the trials and tribulations of her life, I found her whole journey really inspiring. She was unapologetically herself.”

ON ROLE MODELS

“Every day I’m on set, someone wonders aloud about my ethnicity. When they ask, “Where is your family from?” I say, “America.” When they ask, “What are you?” I just say, “Human.””

ON TYPECASTING

“I never thought it was important for someone like me to be in PLAYBOY, but I hope some 15-year-old girl, crying because she doesn’t look like what she sees in the media, sees me and says, “I’m okay.””