Lee Daniels

I don't profess to be Shonda Rhimes by any stretch of the imagination, or Dick Wolf. They're icons. I'm a filmmaker.

I love actors, and I'm very protective of them. I trust them. It's a mutual trust.

I'm in a great place because I trust people behind the camera as I go off, and I still go back to my day job and do film.

I'm always more comfortable and in a good place when I'm with friends because I know they trust me. I'm able to get great performances from people who trust me.

Here's the thing: I think the media underestimates the intelligence of the moviegoer. We need to be fulfilled. People want to sit down and think, and I try to make people think.

People enjoy making fun of people who are famous they love putting people down.

My mission is to let black kids know that their dreams can happen.