Rather than focus on your critics, focus on the people who are impacted by your work.

I know I can only do as much as I can do... Although I have so many ideas of my own, I'm still very interested in helping to cultivate and encourage some promising new artists. But there are a lot of people and, unfortunately, a very small window.

All my life I've tried to hide my height. I was taller than everybody else and stood out, so I would slouch and try to hide it.

I didn't have a catharsis for my childhood pain, most of us don't, and until I learned how to forgive those people and let it go, I was unhappy.

I think it's important to show a husband and a wife together, in a room, raising children, because you don't see that anymore.

Forgiveness is important in families, especially when there are so many secrets that need to be healed - for the most part, every family's got them.

'Madea' is a Southern term. It's short for 'mother dear.' So there are a lot of Madeas out there.