BELLAMY YOUNG

I started singing when I was about 3 and dancing soon after. Mom just started looking for outlets where I could perform and availed herself of any opportunity she could in the mountains of North Carolina in the '70s.

I am a fosterer of animals.

I think you choose how you walk through this life. I think if you choose to participate in a paradigm that is looks-based, if you're an actor, then it can be empowering in some ways, and it can be really limiting in some ways in terms of time and longevity.

When you guest-star, you're usually at the center of the dramatic arc, so that's fun.

It's a lot of fun to just say to people, proudly, 'I get to play the First Lady.' It's just fun to say.

I miss singing. I did Broadway forever.

I'd love to go back and do theater. There's nothing like that instant response and the connection to a live audience.

With Yale, my world got so big all of a sudden. At school, if you could dream it, someone would make it so that you could do it. It was magical. I had a lot going on, as you do when you're 17, and didn't necessarily capitalize on all of it, but it made me see possibility in a way that I hadn't before.

Jackie O was so capable in so many ways. Hillary tried to redefine the role when she got into public policy, and Michelle Obama is able to move smoothly between form and function, style and substance.

My dad used to say, 'Just be yourself and you'll be fine,' but it's really, really true.

I'm blessed because I had my mom as a teacher - sixth through eighth grade - and she is one of the best teachers I've ever had.

I used to be so hard on myself. So hard on myself. Just my own worst critic to the nth degree. Absolutely undermining my confidence in every moment. Bad tape in my head all the time.

Michelle Obama blows my mind. Form and function, style and grace.

'Notorious' is a masterwork. I can watch it every day.

I want to find a man and have a family.

I did love 'Dirty Sexy Money' quite a lot. I loved my tenure at 'Scrubs' quite a lot. 'ER' might have been my favorite guest star thing. 'We Were Soldiers' meant a lot to me.

If I could have anyone's mind for a day, I really can't think of anyone other than Einstein.

The First Lady is such a fascinating office to hold. You're not elected, but it's very much official. You can see the latitude of power of that office.

There are a lot of women who feel that they have done all the work in their relationship only for someone else to step in and take the love and credit for it.

I have to meditate before I go to bed, always. I have to let the day go and let the eternal in.

I foster a lot. Not humans, animals.

You gotta love yourself, because when you're hurting - you never know who's gonna be around to do the lovin' for ya. You gotta love yourself through the pain.

I have to welcome the pain like I welcome the joy.

The smallest act has repercussions for the universe.

Nothing is all good or all bad, nothing is black or white, everything is just messy and human and difficult.