JENNIFER HUDSON

I try to do everything to say, 'OK, will my mother like this? Will she be pleased? Will she be proud of that? How do I know she's happy and she's smiling down at me from heaven?' And that's what I try to go by and walk by.

Food is meant to be used as fuel for our bodies. If you're using it for any other reasons, take a step back and ask yourself, 'What's up.'

I'm just not a shoe girl.

Long before 'American Idol', people used to call me a diva. And I be like, 'Hold on, are you calling me something else on the sly? You gonna call me a diva, call me a good diva.'

Even though I am extremely blessed to have accomplished many of my goals at such a young age, I am still reaching, still striving.

Traditional values are big in my life.

What people need to know is that if you don't eat what you want, then you'll just continue to eat, because you're not fulfilled.

I always say, you never know how much your parents loved you until you have a child to love.

I cook all my meals at home.

I am the biggest Destiny's Child - Beyonce, Kelly, Michelle, all of them - fan in the world.

To me, the biggest notes and the longest notes are the easiest notes.

I was a homebody growing up.

My ultimate film role would be to play the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin.

When you hear my music and you feel the emotion, it's real. When you see me in a film and you see a tear, it's real.

I slept with my mom until I was 16 years old.

Everything I see, I now see through a mother's eyes.

I don't believe in overdoing myself.

When I'm acting I don't sing, and when I'm recording I'm not acting.

I try to dress a little casual before my photo-shoots. I can be comfortable before I go into my... transition.

I accept any challenge.

Dreams do come true. If anyone's proof of that, it's me.

It's one thing to lose weight, but it's another thing to eat healthy.

'American Idol' has changed the face of television.

I like to have songs with me that have substance. That's missing from a lot of today's music. You might hear a song with a catchy beat, but what's it about? It's not empowering or helping anyone.

I love being nurturing and caring because I love to see other people happy.