PartyLines- photographs by Patrick McMullan

Did you ever expect your first movie role to get so much attention? “It’s been like nothing I would have ever expected. I’m so humbled by how large it’s become, and I’m so grateful that anyone’s paying attention to the film. Anyone at all.” —Gabourey Sidibe

—Lenny Kravitz

Did you have any reservations about participating in such a serious movie? “I was nervous to play the character, to be honest with you, because I didn’t know how to play it. I mean, she’s a person who gives completely of herself and dedicates her life to others. And I’m an actress. I dedicate my life to myself.” —Paula Patton

—Mary J. Blige

—Robert De Niro & Grace Hightower

How did you get your cast to open up on set? “My rehearsal process is such that we are very intimate. It’s all about me, it’s not about them and the character, it’s really about my insecurities, my fears, my lusts, my politics. And then that opens them up, all of my vulnerability opens them up to being vulnerable and then we become one.” —Lee Daniels, Director

—Jane Fonda

This movie is based off your novel Push. Does Gabourey’s performance capture your character? “Her performance is magnificent. When I was growing up, girls like her played the maid. They were not the stars. This is an amazing moment for black women.” —Sapphire

—Colin Powell

—Nick Cannon

How many times have you seen the full version of this movie? “It’s about the fifth or sixth time I’ve seen myself; I’m used to it now, but dahling, it’s not easy.” —Mariah Carey

—Sherri Shepherd

Was it hard for you to work with such an emotionally difficult script? “When I had to find out that she has HIV, she’s a former heroin addict, and she can’t read, at first, I was like, ‘Oh my God, how can I do this?’ But I said, I’m going to do it for all them Puerto Rican sisters out there. I’m going to say yes, this is a real person, and I’m just going to do it.” —Stephanie Andujar

—Quincy Jones

—Xosha Roquemore

In adapting this book, how did you make the material palatable to a movie audience? “I was very sensitive about making it cinematic and accessible, but keeping its integrity, and keeping the spirit of the book alive. And though you may not see everything in graphic detail, you understand what is happening, and nothing can match your imagination.” —Geoffrey Fletcher, Screenwriter

—Iman

What was the strangest thing that happened on the set? “I had cut my hair off for the film, and since it was in finger waves, there was so much gel in my hair. At one point something fell on top of my head, and everyone turned around and said, ‘Hey, are you okay, Chyna?’ And I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I had a helmet of gel on.” —Chyna Layne

—Amina Robinson

Did you like Mariah Carey’s mustache in this movie? “I think most women have mustaches.” —Terrence Howard

—Gayle King

Have you ever been Photoshopped beyond recognition? “No, but I was Photoshopped one time when they Photoshopped in a nipple, and that really bothered me.” —Carol Alt

—Kyra Sedgwick

—Harvey Keitel

What would you do if Texas got gay marriage before New York did? “I’d move. I love Dallas. They have great weather and amazing shopping. And if they’ll marry the gays, hitch me up!” —Carson Kressley

—Agyness Deyn

Do you support Wal-Mart’s decision to open a store in New York? “I’m curious to see what a Wal-Mart looks like, because all of us in New York criticize it all the time but we never get to shop in any of them.” —Fern Mallis

—Tommy Hilfiger

How did you write about Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s wedding without being there? “I carefully never ever said that I was there in my column. I write about Albany and I’m not in Albany, but I know everything that’s happening. I didn’t have to be at the wedding to know everything that was going on. I knew every third person there.” —Cindy Adams

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