“I didn't go into acting because I wanted to be a role model.” — Malcolm-Jamal Warner

When I was hanging out with Joey Clements in Chicago, I made it a point not to try to emulate him. I wanted basically to create my own character. I didn't want him to think I was hanging out with him solely to use him as research.

What's interesting is, say, the O.J. trial and when the verdict came out, and there were people who celebrated, and there were people who thought that he's guilty, and it's a crime. Those reactions tend to be filtered through our own experiences.

When you're an independent artist, you need as much play or promotion as you can get.

Obviously, we all look at things through the filter of our own experiences.