Andra Day admits her Golden Globe success was "exciting" but also "heartbreaking at the same time"

Andra - who has emulated the achievement of Whoopi Goldberg, who won the award for 'The Color Purple' in 1986 - explained: "It's so exciting, and also heartbreaking at the same time. Because Black women are so dynamic and we have so many amazing, layered stories."

The actress has spent years working on her craft, and feels the recognition has arrived at a perfect point in her life.

She told 'Entertainment Tonight': "I like to consider myself a deeply spiritual person, and I think the beauty of God is he does things when they reach full maturation.

"There's something beautiful about the idea of full maturation and being prepared for something. Not just physically, and not just in your career, not just economically, but spiritually, emotionally and psychologically ready."

Andra also thinks that her own road to success has taught her some important life lessons.

Sharing some words of advice to aspiring stars, Andra explained: "If it feels like it's taking a long time ... do not begin to feel unworthy. Do not begin to feel inadequate, please do not quit. There is space for everybody."

Andra previously revealed she lost 40 pounds, smoked cigarettes and drank spirits to portray the iconic star in the movie.

She recently said: "There was the drastic weight loss. So I was originally 163 when I started. I got down to 124. I don't necessarily recommend.

"For me, it was like I didn't want my body to look like a gym body of 2020, or 2019 at the time. For me, it was important having a period body."