I like to think of myself as a positive person. Otherwise I wouldn't have had a child.

I've had more misrepresentations than I can handle, and people have told the wickedest lies about me. A lot of them have taken their frustrations out on me, and I don't like that because it can wound. Not necessarily me, but those around me. Journalists can be so bad.

We're not perfect; we all have things that people might not like to see, and I like to show my faults.

My dad's family were political and he was always a theatrical creature, whereas my mum is really musical and her father was the touring pianist with Nat King Cole. My family was an explosive mixture of politics, religion and music - no wonder I turned out how I did.

I've turned down millions of dollars to go on reality TV. It's an absolute no-go.

I was the only black girl at my junior high school. I had an afro, a Jamaican accent, I looked really old.

I've lived long enough to feel the sway of corporations both legal and illegal. Corporations give you drugs and they prescribe and prescribe them and they can be worse for you. Whereas you have illegal drugs and that is all about moderation. You have to know your body.