"I've always been interested in directing, writing, and producing, so when I went behind the scenes, ..." — Marsai Martin

One of my mom's favorite movies growing up was 'Big' with Tom Hanks. I thought, 'Oh, OK, what if we do something like that but not like that. Something more modern, with a different perspective, and maybe with an all-black cast.'

I feel like fame can get into people's head, and you always hear that child actors are doing this, or parents are making their kids do that. I feel like, since we're kids, we have an imagination where we can do whatever we want at any time and if that it is their passion, they will tell you.

I hope that we always have diversity, that we have equality and representation every step of the way.

You don't have to change who you are for anyone: if you are your regular, authentic, confident self, then you can push to do whatever you want.