Natalie Zea Quotes

Powerful Natalie Zea for Daily Growth

About Natalie Zea

Natalie Zea, born Natalie Lynn Zea on February 17, 1975, in Chicago, Illinois, is an accomplished American actress known for her versatile roles in film, television, and theater. Raised in a family of educators, she developed a passion for the arts early on, participating in school plays and local community productions. After graduating from Northwestern University's School of Communication, Zea moved to New York City to pursue her acting career. She made her television debut on the daytime soap opera "One Life to Live" before landing roles in various primetime series, including "Passions," "Dirty Sexy Money," and "Justified." Her breakthrough role came in 2011 when she starred as Lorna Morello in the critically acclaimed drama series "Orange Is the New Black." For her portrayal of a complex, multi-layered character, Zea received widespread recognition and two Satellite Award nominations. Apart from television, Zea has graced the silver screen in numerous films such as "The Quiet" (2005), "Kiss the Bride" (2007), and "Ricki and the Flash" (2015). Her performances have earned her nominations for various awards, demonstrating her remarkable range and dedication to her craft. In 2018, Zea joined the cast of "The Handmaid's Tale," where she portrayed Moira's sister, Luisa. This role further solidified her position as a formidable actress in the industry. Off-screen, Natalie Zea is an advocate for women's rights and mental health awareness, using her platform to raise funds and awareness for various causes close to her heart. Her career spans over two decades, and she continues to captivate audiences with her powerful performances.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think that we have to understand our own value before anyone else can."

This quote emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and personal growth for individuals. It suggests that in order to be valued by others, one must first recognize their inherent worth and significance. Essentially, understanding our own value means knowing what we have to offer, appreciating our unique talents, skills, and qualities, and having a positive self-image that allows us to confidently interact with the world around us. When we can accurately assess ourselves and appreciate our worth, we are better equipped to build strong relationships and create meaningful connections with others.


"We all want love and connection and understanding from others, but we also need to give it to ourselves first."

This quote highlights the importance of self-love and self-care as a foundation for connecting with others. It suggests that in order to experience genuine love, connection, and understanding from others, one must first cultivate these qualities within oneself. In other words, by nurturing our own emotional needs and wellbeing, we create an inner space that allows us to authentically engage with the world and the people around us. This quote encourages us to practice self-compassion, foster self-awareness, and take responsibility for our emotional states, as these actions enable us to give and receive love more meaningfully in our relationships with others.


"I've learned that life is too short to spend it being unhappy or unfulfilled."

This quote underscores the importance of living a life filled with happiness and fulfillment, rather than one marked by unhappiness or dissatisfaction. It encourages individuals to prioritize their well-being, pursue personal growth, and make decisions that lead to a more content and meaningful existence. In essence, it's a call to action to actively shape our lives in a way that brings joy and purpose.


"It's never too late to change your life, to start over, or to reinvent yourself."

This quote emphasizes that one should not be discouraged by past experiences or mistakes; it is always possible to make significant changes in life, begin anew, or transform oneself. It suggests a positive outlook on personal growth, implying that we have the power to shape our own destinies and create new opportunities for ourselves at any point in time.


"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."

This quote emphasizes the idea that our destiny or ultimate identity is shaped by the choices we make in life. It suggests that each individual has the power to determine who they will be, rather than being predetermined by circumstances, genetics, or societal expectations. In essence, it encourages personal responsibility and empowerment in shaping one's own future and becoming the best version of oneself.


Outside of 'Justified,' I do like to keep it to comedy. When I'm not there, I try to seek out stuff that sort of more along the lighter fare. I have more fun on those sets than I do on drama sets just because when it's heavy, it's heavy, and it's hard to get away from it.

- Natalie Zea

Away, Fare, Justified, Lighter

There is something about my aura or essence, or whatever, that draws the ex-wife characters to me. I don't seek them out, but people tend to think of me for that particular archetype, or whatever you want to call it, and I don't mind it. I think there is a strength to it.

- Natalie Zea

Strength, I Think, Essence, Ex-Wife

The fact is that viewers are fickle and it's rare that such a large group of people can be categorized in any type of way. There's enough content to go around, and if we stop focusing on numbers and start focusing on the quality of the project, then I think everybody - viewers and artists alike - is going to be a lot happier.

- Natalie Zea

Fact, Everybody, I Think, Categorized

I think television scripts have become really intriguing and well-done. And writers have stopped drawing any actual line between film and television they used to never cross.

- Natalie Zea

Think, Actual, Stopped, Scripts

I am telling you, if you ever wanted an ego boost, leave your job and then, six months later, come back for a day. People will treat you like you're a princess.

- Natalie Zea

Treat, Back, Telling, Boost

My parents divorced when I was very, very young, but they maintained an incredibly amicable relationship. They were great partners, they were great parents, and they were great friends throughout my whole life until I was about 25, at which point they realized that they could relinquish; they could call it and move on.

- Natalie Zea

Young, Very, About, Divorced

There's something sort of intrinsic in being a Southerner that doesn't go away. You can't get rid of it, but it's not something that's terribly obvious.

- Natalie Zea

Go, Away, Southerner, Intrinsic

I was a theater geek, and I was a surly cheerleader, and that's really kind of a contradiction.

- Natalie Zea

Kind, Theater, Geek, Cheerleader

I'm not a big lingerie girl. I see it, and I love it, and I appreciate it, and sometimes I even buy it, and then it never gets worn. It just seems like kind of a wasted middle step. Either you're dressed or you're not. What is this in-between stuff?

- Natalie Zea

Love, Big, Lingerie, In-Between

When I started, I had a really hard time getting work. It was the mid- to late-nineties. There was the WB. My age was perfect for it, but I just never came across as a youngster. I had to grow into my age in order to start working, and by the time I did, it was when things started to get good.

- Natalie Zea

Perfect, By The Time, Mid, Youngster

I really enjoy laughing at work, and I find that it's easier to do that when you're shooting a comedy.

- Natalie Zea

Work, Comedy, Find, Laughing

I don't know that I could play a complete and total mess. After awhile, I think I would be like, 'No, none of that!'

- Natalie Zea

Play, Think, I Think, Awhile

I think, especially when you're on TV, once you become associated with one genre or the other, it's near impossible to break into the other one, even if you have experience with both.

- Natalie Zea

Think, Other, TV, Near

I'm at my best when I'm working. I just recently learned how to find balance and deal with downtime and take advantage of it.

- Natalie Zea

Deal, Learned, Recently, Downtime

I've been trying to get into comedy for years. I had a meeting with one of the networks a couple years ago, a general meeting, and when they asked what I was looking for and I told them I'd prefer to do comedy, it was as if I had two heads.

- Natalie Zea

Been, Couple, Prefer, Meeting

I think every major character I've played was originally for an older woman. I have no idea what that says. I guess I'm mature for my age.

- Natalie Zea

Woman, Think, I Think, No Idea

I won't name any names, but I've done a couple of shows where once the pilot got picked up, the creators openly said, 'I have no idea where we're going.'

- Natalie Zea

Pilot, Going, Couple, No Idea

I really enjoy getting to go and play on other people's shows for an episode or two. It adds such variety to my repertoire.

- Natalie Zea

Play, Go, Other, Variety

I just feel like the days of a handful of executives making the decisions for the entirety of the human public have gone on long enough.

- Natalie Zea

Making, Like, Executives, Handful

I know it might seem a little superficial, but every actor has their thing. Some people focus on the walk, but for me, it's all about the nails and the voice. Those are the two most important things.

- Natalie Zea

Voice, Some, About, Superficial

I'm drawn to the romantic aspect of a character. It's human emotion. It's much more fun to watch. And it's much more fun to play.

- Natalie Zea

Character, Play, More, Aspect

I'm like a packrat with work. I hoard my jobs.

- Natalie Zea

Work, Like, Jobs, Hoard

As I age, I become more and more happy with what I see in the mirror. At some point, that's going to stop.

- Natalie Zea

More, Some, Going, Mirror

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