Take a little time out of your busy day to give encouragement to someone who's lost their way.

For some reason, my main movie, Lady Sings the Blues, to me really isn't me. I really can let go of Diana Ross when I see the movie. I'm really objective when I'm watching it. I liked that movie so much. That movie was like magic so that when I'm looking at it I'm really not seeing myself, I'm seeing the actress. I'm seeing another person, not the me of me.

So I'm not worried about the emotions I carry with me, because I'm happy that I have them; I think it's good for the work I do. The emotions that are not healthy are the ones you hold inside, like anger.

My life has often been described as 'from rags to riches' but in fact, the Ross's were never raggedy.

I use Jimmy Galanos gowns for real special occasions and things - television, special occasions where I know I'm being filmed. But I never really wear his gowns on stage. My stage gowns are more costumey. There's different levels of things that I wear.I would never wear my stage gowns to a party.

I don't think getting in and out of a limousine has anything to do with being an icon.

If I do an interview, then I take full responsibility. I figure I'm not going to talk to anyone that I think is unethical anyway.