Emotions often must be portrayed from an inner feeling, of course, but I had a double advantage because I was learning to direct my as-yet expressionless feelings as well as gaining an ability to express emotion by a very conscious manipulation of my muscles.

I'd always wanted to be an actress, and suddenly I knew that learning to control my facial muscles was one of the best assets I could have as a performer.

Howard Hughes was obsessed with me. But at first it seemed as if he were offering me a superb career opportunity.

I didn't want the children to grow up and, when asked what their mother did, say, 'Oh, Mom's a gun moll in the movies.'

After I got back my career and my artistic freedom in 1982, my golden rule is the music must never suffer.

Queen Latifah has been a huge part of my career. She has been a huge, huge part of my career since the very beginning.

Anybody who has a career is going to have to deal with a rumor in their time, or something that usually isn't true. I have a great team behind me and a family that supports me. I just care too much about my career. I have been working too long to let it slip away for something stupid.

I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the people of West Tennessee, but I never intended to become a career politician.