Quotes from LaChanze

Naturally you want to be the best mom you can, but then also you want to be the best performer you can.

Dianne Reeves, a famous jazz singer, would be my biggest influence.

We all have to believe in something in order to exist successfully in this world and to enjoy our time here, which is short. I know that.

As an actor, you go in your own personal life and pull from your personal life, so that's what I do.

I am working on music and telling my personal story and sharing my talent on stage.

That's capital L, small a - no space! - capital C, small h, a, n, z, e.

It's still hard for me to think about Sept. 11 sometimes. I'm still angry. It's hard to watch my daughters, Celia and Zaya, grow up and know they'll never see their father. They'll always be 9/11 girls, and I wish I could shield them from that. Everyone has an immediate pity for them. It is a sad thing, but the girls are also so happy.

I want to share the things I've done, the things I've survived, the things I've struggled through.

One of the greatest things about the theatre is how it can completely change the way you see the world around you. 'Dear Evan Hansen' did this for me.

Theater is structured. You're plugged into a system. It's relentless. You're expected to do certain things every day. You have your tasks.

I have loved fiercely in my life - a few times.

I have a very interesting story to tell, and people always want to hear about it. They know I'm a 9/11 widow, and I always get comments on that and being an actor and raising my daughters by myself.

I can't stand adversity and stress and drama and tension. I can't function in that environment. If I have anything to say about it, we're going to get rid of it so that everyone can just relax and have a good time.

The theater community will always remain a big part of my life, and I hope to re-join the cast of 'The Color Purple' at some point down the road.

As an actress who has performed in theater for over 17 years, my experience performing in 'The Color Purple' has been a truly life-changing journey.

You know when you see a play and there is a character whom you know so well that you hate them and love them at the same time? That is Michael Potts' portrayal of Turnbo in August Wilson's 'Jitney.'

What I always liked best about myself was my resilience, especially in this business with all the 'no's,' the doors closed in my face.

Without faith, life is futile.

I believe that everything is divinely inspired. Bad things happen - they do - but I also think that when these bad things happen, there's an equal and opposite force that is happening, and there is good.

I try to take time to find joy out of life, and I don't take a day for granted like I used to.

I was a very ambitious, young actor, grateful and getting out there, working hard. I was single-minded in pursuit of my career. I am also the oldest of seven and had this extreme responsibility for everyone around me. I was a caregiver and not taking care of myself as much as I should have.

I was born in St. Augustine, Florida. I lived there till I was about 13, and then my family moved to Connecticut. I finished school there, and then I went to college in Philadelphia and came to New York in '87. I wasn't finished with school - I left school to go on the road.

I totally believe in opportunities. I don't believe in accidents. I just don't.

I believe in divine intervention.