Tararji P. Henson opens up about life in Hollywood and how hard she works (and continues to work) in a cover story for Marie Claire.

When talking about the fashion designer MuurSwagg, Taraji said, “I don’t know this woman, but I appreciate her hustle. I’m drawn to people who’ve got passion, who’ve got their bigger picture.”

When it came time for her to make the move to Hollywood, she said:

“I just knew [I’d be typecast]. They are going to think this is all I can do. So I was like, ‘Never again a ghetto role. I’m not saying I can’t do it later, but right now, I have something to prove.’ My mission became showing that I’m a character actress. I can give them as many different performances as Meryl Streep — who is the one they look up to? Meryl Streep. Watch this. You think black women can’t do it? I’m trained just like she is.”

On supporting other women in the industry: “How can we get ahead if we’re feuding and hating on each other all the time? I made a pact years ago that I would never hate on another female, ever, especially in this industry.”

On the legacy she wants to leave: “I love black people. I love telling stories. I want these little girls to study me like I studied Meryl and Bette Davis and Carol Burnett. I want them to study my work, because I put a lot of work in, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.”

Read more at Marie Claire.