LaChanze

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

You rarely see a musical being told about the life of a black woman.

I'm a theatre doll, and I've always - since I'm out of school - have always been on stage.

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.

As singers, we're always taught to sing forward and place everything in the front of our resonating chambers. Donna Summer always sang in that space and had it naturally. Her muscle memory, the way she was built - she was a natural singer.

I'm from a part of Florida that is very close to Georgia in the panhandle area. I have a very colorful Southern family.

I basically came from nothing and turned my life into something.

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

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.

Without faith, life is futile.

'Feeling Good' is a peek into my life through song.

I went to see 'Kinky Boots' to see my friend Billy Porter in his groundbreaking performance. But while backstage, I was hoping for a chance to meet this young, dynamic performer Annaleigh Ashford. Her comic timing was brilliant. And she is obviously a triple threat.

When I make people laugh and I get to laugh, it does my spirit good.

I'm an actress: I'm used to being independent, doing for myself.

I always had a strong faith, and I always relied on God for a lot.

Time just goes on, and... it doesn't stop for anything.

'The Little Mermaid' is my favorite of the Disney animated features. And, I could not wait to see it on Broadway.

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.

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.'

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 believe in divine intervention.

Who doesn't love Donna Summer's music? It was part of my childhood, always heard around the house.

In my own one-woman show, 'Feeling Good,' I talk about my childhood and write a letter to my younger self in the show. The most important thing I would tell her is to trust my instincts. Just trust them. They're little whispers from God, I think. You've heard it a million times, but it's true: Listen to that inner voice.

In my house, we couldn't listen to 'Love to Love You Baby.' It was way too salacious back in the day. I remember my mom would turn the station off when that song came on the radio. But, of course, I played my album to death in my bedroom, with the door closed.