Vanessa Williams Quotes

"Success is the sweetest revenge."

"I am lucky to have three daughters who are completely different. I look at my daughters and I have different relationships with all three and there are parts of each personality that are very special."

"You're always going to have people that are naysayers, that don't believe in your talent, that don't believe that you have any kind of longevity."

"I've been really, really fortunate to get some fantastic opportunities on Broadway, and I cherish all of them."

"The wiser you get, the more experience you have, and the more you see people for who they are as human beings, as opposed to figures you have to fight against."

"I'll get mad, but then I'll let it go. It's not worth stewing over for the rest of your life. You've got to move on and let it go."

"Good work is such an incredible payoff. And I know that I'll be working until the end, because good work excites me."

"My parents are both teachers, so we had the summers off."

"Broadway is really my life."

"New York is my home."

"I love the French horn."

"And when people give me their word, I listen to them."

"And at 19, you think you rule the world, and you can control things. And a lot of times, you don't."

"Well, my mom taught public school music for almost 40 years. And she's about 5 feet - and very mighty. And she would control her kids a lot by giving them the eye, or the stare."

"There are a lot of things that you don't realize that your parents are going through when you're a kid."

"I believe it's important to use my influence for a good cause, helping to reach millions of consumers who suffer from eye irritation, which made working with Clear Eyes feel like a natural fit."

"As I grow older, I feel like my authentic self has been able to shine through more and more, and people can see that."

"It's not like I refuse to try roles other than being a strong female boss, but I am 54, and I'm happy I'm still being sought after and that I have a career that allows me a lot of creativity."

"I love to ski and drive fast cars and the thrill of exciting things."

"I've picked up a lot of fans from doing 'Ugly Betty': a lot of teenagers who didn't even know I had a singing career."

"My parents were always supportive. They didn't say, 'Get a real job.' They believed in the arts, and they prepared me to be skilled. I'm lucky I can drop into these worlds - into a studio or onto a set or go on stage - and feel comfortable."

"If you want my Tim Hortons order, I do get the egg and sausage and cheese on a biscuit. One is usually enough. If I'm really feeling greedy, I'll get two. I'll do that with a large coffee."

"What makes characters so interesting when you're an actor or a dancer is to watch and observe how people walk and move and speak. Are they cat-like? Are they walrus-like? Why does that person bother me, and why do I think they are the way they are?"

"I love working out in groups - I love the community of it and the energy, and I love great instructors who inspire you and make you sweat!"

"When Cuba Gooding Jr. and I were doing 'The Trip to Bountiful,' we would always go to BXL, a Belgian restaurant/bar. It was across the street from the theater, and they have amazing mussels."

"I don't really shop a lot, just cause I'd rather not spend my money on clothes."

"I danced modern dance my whole life, and it makes me feel young again."

"Growing up, my skin wasn't so great. I did everything, even Accutane, because I was always having breakouts."

"I've got a yoga instructor and a trainer. I just started a heavy-bag class, which is like boxing and cardio, and I salsa dance with my girlfriends. I try to do something every day. Continually exercising is natural for us."

"You should be unique, you should be confident, and that's how people remember who you are. You have to be willing to share who you are and your story."