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I grew up in a funeral home, born and raised, and everyone was always like, 'Well, what was that like?' and I was like, 'It was normal', because it's all I knew.
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I truly believe that when a person makes a concrete decision and takes action towards a goal that they've set, that the universe will step in and provide opportunities.
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I've been in this business a long time, and I'm very clear on what is real and what is fleeting.
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Fortunately, I'm known as the hardest-working woman in showbiz, not to compete with James Brown. I've always been a multi-tasker.
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I appreciate being able to give back to charities I care about such as the American Diabetes Association - my older sister passed away from diabetes - and Figure Skating in Harlem, which teaches young girls about confidence, focus and goal-setting.
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I believe in saying 'yes.' I love to work, and I always believe that the schedule can work out if everything is willing to allow it to work out.
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You have to continue to grow and evolve as individuals in order for your marriage to evolve. It takes two pillars to support a structure. If those two pillars become one, you have a structure that teeters.
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I missed singing. I missed performing in a nightclub.
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I'm Irish on St. Patrick's Day. I'm Italian on Columbus Day. I'm a New Yorker every day.
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I adore the designer B. Michael's curve-flattering gowns, but there is nothing better than jeans with a crisp white shirt.
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When I first got to New York, all I did was musicals. After a few years I had to make a conscious choice to close the door on musicals, because I was getting pigeon-holed as a musical theater performer.
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I have Native American blood. I have African blood. I have European blood.
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When I first moved to New York, all I did was musical theater. That's what I studied at Carnegie Mellon University.
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Understand that the time in the audition is your time. Really own it and take control of it. And do what you prepared. Focus on really executing what it is that you intended to do.
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I was the first African-American woman to play Maggie in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' It was at the Virginia State Theatre, and we turned Richmond upside down.
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I wanted to make a home that was similar to the kind of home that my mother made. To be able to create something like that in my adopted city, New York City, one of the toughest cities on the planet, is really special.
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There was a time, actually, when I hadn't been singing, and I'd lost a lot of my ability. My range had shrunk.
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Working on a film is so great because you have the luxury of more time when you're on a movie than when you're on television.
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I've lived in New York for thirty years now, but I'm a proud Pittsburgher, and home is home. My family's still in Pittsburgh.
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I am always happy to use my song and dance training.