Church was a requirement, there was no choice in the matter, so was vacation bible school. Gospel has been in me since I was a kid.

To step into acting was not that difficult a transition to make. What was difficult was the work and the practice that went into becoming good at it, because I hadn't had any training.

I always loved all kinds of music. I would watch musicals a lot as a kid, on TV, watch the Fred Astaire movies. I'd watch 'The Wizard of Oz.' I was a big Jerry Lewis fan, and they'd have these big bands and someone singing - some siren, or some guy singing some gorgeous song. I was always enamored of that style of music.

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

Even if you don't have anything, even if you've got a quarter in your pocket, to share with someone else who has nothing really helps.

Life's not about sitting at home in front of the TV waiting for your life to begin. Get out there and take some chances.

There are a lot of people who helped make Queen Latifah who she is today. I don't forget, but a lot of people do and get big heads. My mom will make me walk the dogs or take out the trash when I go home. I'm not allowed to get a big head; I've still got to do the simple things in life.