I love all the shows that encourage people to love, appreciate and help animals. There are more programs about animals than ever, and that pleases me.

I'm not going to go around with a long face - that's a waste of time

It is heartbreaking to see so many animals in distress through the Gulf Coast region. Many of them are frightened, confused, hungry, dehydrated and lost.

The one radio voice that I listened to above others belonged to Ella Fitzgerald. There was a quality to her voice that fascinated me, and I'd sing along with her, trying to catch the subtle ways she shaded her voice, the casual yet clean way she sang the words.

If so many people love me, how come I'm alone?

I like joy; I want to be joyous; I want to have fun on the set; I want to wear beautiful clothes and look pretty. I want to smile and I want to make people laugh. And that's all I want. I like it. I like being happy. I want to make others happy.

I couldn't walk for almost three years. That was the greatest thing that happened. Instead of dancing, I sang.