There was our house in New Orleans. Two blocks in front of us were these beautiful mansions and two blocks behind us were the ghetto, projects, and that's where I had to go to school, but I would always pattern my life looking forward. It was almost literal.

Life is so precious, such a gift, and that you have to live for you.

People say the truth hurts. Hell no, it hurts even more if you do a whole bunch of foolishness to try and avoid it.

I know that there are a lot of people out there with stories far worse than mine but you, too, can make it. To those of you who have, welcome to life. I celebrate you.

I don't do divas. I don't do entourages. I don't do the Hollywood crap.

God has put me in a really good position where I can make the choices to walk away if something is not right, so that way I can keep my integrity.

I never thought of myself as a mogul, but it's really great to be in that position.