It's very hard trying to have love and a career at the same time. For those who can, great, but I can't.

A lot of people who start work at a very young age never grow up because they never got that opportunity to be a child, so they hold on to that and still do a lot of childish, silly things.

I've always been a tomboy. I've always liked to wear red, black, and white, and mostly pants.

In 1977, at age ten, I was cast on the TV sitcom 'Good Times.' My character was Penny, an abused child in desperate need of love. I really didn't want to do the show. I didn't want to be away from my family.

People tend to put entertainers on pedestals. We're human beings, just like you. You may see us smiling, and whether we have money or not, we still have bills to pay, we still have our stresses. I think a lot of people want to focus on others' shortcomings to make themselves feel better. And it's a very sad thing.

I would hope my legacy would be bringing smiles to faces. Happiness with my music.

I feel everyone is put here for a reason. Everyone has a calling. I always thought my real calling was to help other people.