Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten: Mum's the one who helped me get where I am. She'd drive me every day to New York City to go to auditions. My dad [Klaus] was supportive but he didn't think the TV commercials would lead to anything. He didn't realize my mum and I were on a mission. But he's proud of me.

Kirsten: I was never considered cool. I was even a cheerleader, but I didn't like cheerleading. I did that to be cool. It all seems so silly now.

Kirsten: I love what I do and I don't want to stop. This is all I've ever wanted.

Kirsten: People always tell me, 'Don't work so much', but I can't help it. I feel like all the things I've done are important to get to this adult stage and now I'm getting all these adult offers, so it's working. Now, I'm going to be more careful and just take time off and be very selective.

Kirsten: People talk so much trash about me. But I talk trash about other people, too. So all's fair, I guess.

Kirsten: I've tried drugs. I do like weed. I have a different outlook on marijuana than America does. I think America's view on weed is ridiculous. If everyone smoked weed, the world would be a better place.

Kirsten: (vowing to never date another actor) I don't ever want to date another actor again. This quote is probably going to come back in my face, but I know someone who has a great saying, 'There are no actors, there are only actresses.' Sometimes creative people can be very dark and destructive. I'm only saying bad things. I do know a few actors who are good and sweet and adorable.

Kirsten: (on growing up in show business) I am a much more confident person in what I believe in and more opinionated. When I was younger I could be manipulated by other directors and wanted to prove myself to other people. Growing up in this business is not the easiest thing - even though I always had supportive friends and family. But at 16 you are like, "Oh, I am famous" and when I was 11 I didn't really choose it. It just kind of happened.

Kirsten: I'd never put any daughter of mine through acting because, while I loved acting and was happy working as a child, looking back, my happiness always came from pleasing other people. Acting was never a dream for me. It was the only thing I knew - it was just my life.

Kirsten: (on studying art) I have my student ID - it's so exciting! I was showing it to my girlfriends in a restaurant recently. I'm like, 'I can get money off movie tickets now!' (Art is) so private and I love it so much and it's like a little secret in my heart. It's really about finding your style, rather than 'Hold the pencil like this.' I just need to learn the tools so that I can do the things that I want to do.

Kirsten: (on why she didn't take the role as Angela Hayes in the movie American Beauty) I absolutely didn't want to kiss with Kevin Spacey. Come on, I was fifteen! It freaked me out. And then I also had to lay butt-naked in a bath between rosebuds... no way!

Kirsten: In movies, I hope women aren't always portrayed as sex symbols. People like Drew Barrymore are paving the way for girls my age. Hopefully I can pave the way for young actresses, too.

Kirsten: Boys frustrate me. I hate all their indirect messages, I hate game playing. Do you like me or don't you? Just tell me so I can get over you.