I'm always endlessly surprised about the people who come into my life, who I get to collaborate with. I feel really overwhelmed by those opportunities. But it's not like I fell off the turnip truck and suddenly became who I am. I really have worked hard for it, and I have to acknowledge that. I care about what I do, and I have a sense of pride in my work. And you can never be totally settled as an actor or artist or musician. You have to keep the fire under you, because that's what makes you better.

You spend months and months listening to the music, absorbing, practicing, working with real musicians who worked with them and getting as much of that as you …

And you know, life is a constant learning experience. I learn so much with my kids. I read tons of books and study what they're studying.

Being a Southern person and a blonde, it's not a good combination. Immediately, when people meet you, they think of you as not being smart.

I have no desire to prove anything by it. I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself. I just dance.

I was born at the age of twelve on a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lot.

It's the first movie I feel really proud of. But I know it's not a movie for everyone. Some people will embrace it, but some people will hate it, and I'm not r…