Orange Is the New Black’s Danielle Brooks Once Considered Suicide: I had three strikes against me: I was too dark, too curly, and too fat. [VIDEO]

Embracing and loving herself as she is:

I might not have the power to change what media puts out there, or to single-handedly convince young girls like me that they should love themselves. But what I can do is start with me: living each day, embracing who I am. Embracing who I am by refusing to hide my legs or or cover my arms because they make someone else feel uncomfortable. By realizing that every stretch mark on my body is kissed by the sun, and no longer wishing them away. By no longer operating out of a place of fear. So if you see me on a carpet with my arms and legs out glistening, or my midriff exposed, it’s a reminder to myself and the world that I know I’m beautiful.

Danielle echoed similar sentiments with theJasmineBRAND.com correspondent Neffy Anderson, earlier this year, at BET’s Black Girls Rock. Peep a few excerpts on what advice she would give her younger self and what it took for her to become the Danielle Brooks we see today.

What advice she would give to her younger self:

My younger self, is that you’re beautiful girl. Don’t be influenced by other peoples insecurities. Know that you are beautiful just the way you are. In your dark, rich, chocolate skin and every stretch mark on your body. That’s what I would tell myself.

On who you would give a black girl’s rock award to:

I would give it to my peer Raven. She’s on Being Mary Jane and she just did a scene where she was in her undergarments. And it was just such a beautiful, honest moment. That I would give it to her. I don’t think I’m that brave yet. I appreciated that and her performance.

On what most people do not know about your journey to today:

That there were a lot of sacrifices made in my journey. A lot of people think that I got it really soon and early.That is a true fact, but there was a lot of sacrifices were made. I went to a private high school and was the only black girl in my class.I went to Julliard at 17 years old, away from my family. I feel like people think “you got it really easy” but I had some struggles. It was a lot of those. And there’s things that are difficult now even with being in the spotlight, that people don’t realize.

See the full interview below.

[By @justEss_  // Videographer ToyNotForPlay]