Didn't have a driver's license before filming The Fast and the Furious (2001) and had to obtain one during her training for the car chase sequences.
Girlfight (2000) was her first acting audition, and she got the role. The Fast and the Furious (2001) was her second audition, and she also got that role.
When interviewed to join the cast of Lost (2004) as a tough LAPD police officer, she insisted that she would only sign on for one year because she is a "nomadic spirit". The producers came up with a storyline and sold the idea of the short contract to the network.
Ranked #34 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2002 list.
Ranked #77 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002).
Quotes[]
I think empathy is a beautiful thing. I think that's the power of film though. We have one of the most powerful, one of the greatest communicative tools known to man. It's a form of communication and it's gonna reach you in a way of growth - most of the time.
I don't want people thinking of me sexually. I don't want people to be like, "She's hot-looking," you know? I want them to listen to me for what I am saying. And I think the best way to do that is to sniff my armpits, and like, sit and burp every now and then. It just completely throws people off. I had a couple of offers to do some hot scenes in the shower with some guy and to make it real hot and sexy. The next thing you know, I'd be the next J.Lo or something. But that's easy. I want [success] the hard way.
My favorite part of my body is my brain. I think no matter what my body looks like, I won't be satisfied unless I know how to use it.
I don't think it's narcissistic at all to love yourself and believe in yourself. I think some people are really scared to do that. I have to. If I don't, I would not succeed in what I do.
No matter what, people are so narrow minded that it won't ever be Michelle Rodriguez the actress, it will always be Michelle Rodriguez the Latin actress. And it's just something that I have to live with, because of the fact that people need labels to understand things. I can't even get into this ignorance that I'm dealing with. So I just ignore it, you know? Ignore the ignorance.
You can keep knocking me down forever, I'll keep getting up and trying.
Basically, right now Hollywood is a giant factory of remakes because everyone is pussying out and they don't want to try anything new because they're scared, I guess. The money situation in the States isn't so keen right now. Our dollar is shitty, so I can understand why the studios are doing the guaranteed hit-off movies. I'm banking on that and I'm proud to be part of franchises that want me back.
I don't talk about what I do with my vagina, and they're all intrigued. I've never walked the carpet with anyone, so they wonder: What does she do with her vagina? Plus, I play a butchy girl all the time, so they assume I'm a lesbo... Eh, they're not too far off. I've gone both ways. I do as I please. I am too fucking curious to sit here and not try when I can. Men are intriguing. So are chicks.
