I still have a great friendship with my eldest son’s mum. She’s my mate. We have this wonderful son who’s 6 ft. 3, gorgeous, and I’m his dad. I’ve not been a total failure.
My dad grew up in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, desperate to get to London. I grew up in London, so I don’t know what it’s like to yearn for the big city from a small town.
My mentor was Clara Ward of the famous Ward gospel singers of Philadelphia. And my dad was my coach. He coached me. And just my natural love for music is what drove me.
I was in the bath at the time, and my dad came running in and said, ‘Guess who they want to play Harry Potter!?’ and I started to cry. It was probably the best moment of my life.
I did drama at school and when I was doubling Xena, one time for my birthday mom and dad bought me an acting course ‘cause I’ve always liked the performance side of anything.
My mom is an art teacher and my dad owns a women’s shoe store, so they’re not actors by any means. Well, I guess to sell women’s shoes, you have to be an actor.
My dad’s great. He’s my biggest supporter. He’s always told me that whatever I choose to do, I can do it. I just gotta put my mind to it.
My dad was a keen actor when he was young; my auntie is heavily involved in amateur dramatics back in Northern Ireland, and my great aunt was a woman called Greer Garson.
My dad was an FBI agent. My mom and dad were straight arrow types, and I had a conservative, suburban Orange County upbringing.
My dad worked two jobs and moved us to the suburbs, and just being a black person, I went through a lot of racism and being called names and being bullied every single day. And it was hard. I didn’t have any friends.
I am emotional, honest, and sensitive and a great human being because of my dad. Tough and independent woman because of my mom.
I used to work at my dad’s peanut mill, and worked 15 hours a day, 6 days a week. So, now, riding around on a nice tour bus and doing shows, you’d have to get picky to have a downside.
My dad is a preacher. Growing up, I went to church every time the doors were open.
We understood, growing up – ‘cause it was taught in our family home, my mom and dad – to respect women, for instance. To respect yourself. That you respect your name. Those are the kind of things we were taught.
In New York, I have a photo of my parents on their wedding day in 1947. They’re beaming at home plate in Houston’s Buffalo Stadium. I love the photo because my dad is smiling. He didn’t smile much in his later years.
My dad is too cute. Every morning, he sends me one motivational quote. I have a folder full of all his quotes.
I’m in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the One-Hit Wonder Wall. I’m still very troubled by the fact that I’m in the hall and my dad isn’t.
I’m a really nostalgic person. I love taking photos and video and having memories. I remember all my childhood videos that my dad used to take. I think that’s really what life is about – especially when you start a family of your own.
I literally started from zero; I had zero subscribers. I remember my first subscriber – I was so excited, and then I looked, and it was my dad.
My dad was a laborer. And he used to get up at 5:30 every morning. He worked for 50 years of his life, in all weathers for, by showbiz standards, petty cash. I remind myself of that when I feel a little bit spoiled or hard done by.
My dad’s a teacher and a football coach, and he found a job in New Jersey.
My dad told me, ‘It takes fifteen years to be an overnight success’, and it took me seventeen and a half years.
My dad used to call me ‘the human pretzel’ because I was able to bend my body, and because my legs are very long.
My dad’s great. He’s an amazing artist. A sculptor. He’s wonderful and supportive. I love going to museums with him – we talk about… everything.
My sisters and brothers come up a fair bit for dinner at home. It’s basically a normal life; a normal family home. Dad cooks and we also take turns. If it’s my turn, I like to do a roast lamb or spaghetti bolognaise.
