"I was definitely different from the other kids... I was more ambitious. I knew what I liked and what I wanted, and I worked really hard. I was a very serious kid"

In this quote, actress Natalie Portman reflects on her youth and how she stuck out from her peers. She describes herself as being more enthusiastic and having a clear understanding of her likes and desires. This drove her to work diligently towards her objectives, making her a serious and determined child. Portman's words suggest that she was not afraid to be various and had a strong sense of self at a young age. This determination and focus likely played a considerable function in her success as an actress and in other locations of her life.