My mom was my main influence growing up, and Phylicia Rashad reminded me a lot of my mother, just the way she handled certain things, she was... not soft-spoken but smooth-spoken. Just very calm, cool, collected about things.

My mother wouldn't allow me to speak slang when I was growing up. But when I got outside, around my friends, it was 'Yo' and 'That's the joint' and 'Yo, what's up?' So I had my game for my friends and my game for my mom.

Lets be clear, Dolly Parton is a rapper. Somewhere before all the country, I don't know what happens up there in the mountains when you're growing up, but she has been spitting rhymes for a very long time - 50 years I'd say.

When I was growing up, there were so many musicals you could watch. I like the fantasy of musicals and I love music.

I've always been interested in local politics. I never rule anything out, but I have a very full life right now, with a very young daughter. I have a lot that I want to do still with my career... I can't imagine that would be a possibility for a long time.

I've been working for many years and I think I've managed to work with some of the best people in the business, which has been rewarding and an apprenticeship.

We all have to work for happiness. And you cannot listen to other people. That is the worst mistake you can make.

It's a great job to have to try to spread the game, to spread joy, to help anybody out.