An Actress by Mistake

“I studied painting and sculpting at school and became an actress by mistake.”

~ Gina Lollobrigida
Actress, Photojournalist, Art Film Festival Actor’s Mission Award (1996), Bambi Awards: Unknockable Stars (1990), Jubilee Representing the 1960s (1987), Best Actress – International La Legge (1959), Best Actress – International Trapeze (1958), Best Actress – International Notre-Dame de Paris (1957), Best Actress – International La Donna Più Bella Del Mondo (1956); Berlin International Film Festival (1986), Bursa International Silk Road Film Festival Life Achievement Award (2007), CinEuphoria Awards Career – Honorary Award (2019), David di Donatello Awards: 60th Anniversary David (2016), 50th Anniversary David (2006), 40th Anniversary David (1996), Golden Medal of the City of Rome (1986), David Best Actress (Migliore Attrice) Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell (1969), David Best Actress (Migliore Attrice) Venere Imperiale (1963), David Best Actress (Migliore Attrice) La Donna Più Bella Del Mondo (Lina Cavalieri) (1956); Flaiano International Prizes Career Award Cinema (1997), Golden Globes (Italy) 50th Anniversary Golden Globe (2010), Golden Globes (USA) Henrietta Award World Film Favorite – Female (1961), Golden Goblets (Italy): 40th Anniversary Goblet (1992) & Best Actress (Migliore Attrice) deLa Provinciale (1953), Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Silver Ribbon Best Actress (Migliore Attrice Protagonista) Venere Imperiale (1963) & Silver Ribbon Best Actress (Migliore Attrice Protagonista) Pane, Amore E Fantasia (1954); Joseph Plateau Life Achievement Award (1997), Karlovy Vary International Film Special Prize for Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Festival (1995), Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festival Career Award (2010), Rome Film Fest: Excellence Award (2012) & Golden Marc’Aurelio Acting Award (2008), Taormina International Film Festival: Le Colonne Award (2012) & Taormina Arte Award (2001), TP de Oro (Spain) Nominee Best Foreign Actress (Mejor Actriz Extranjera) Le Avventure di Pinocchio (1974), & Walk of Fame – Star on the Walk of Fame Motion Picture (2018)

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Upholstery Therapy

“My ideal relaxation is working on upholstery. I spend hours in junk shops buying furniture. I do all the upholstery work myself, and it’s like therapy.”

~ Pamela Anderson,
Actress, Model, Animal Rights Activist,
Philanthropist & Canada’s Walk of Fame (2006)

Are You Keeping Your Talents to Yourself?

“God didn’t give you talents to keep to yourself. He gave them to you to share and that’s exactly what I try to do. I try to train people to sing out their feelings in their own way.”

~ Emily “Cissy” Houston

a.k.a. The Dutchess of Gospel
Medal for Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership, Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award,
Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Gospel Album (2X)

Good Gifts Shine Through

“Even when I was an Engineer, I was a Comic on my job. At birthday and holiday parties, I was the one scheduling and Emceeing. If you work on your gift, and you’re good, it will shine through.”

~ Loni Love
Comedian, Talk Show Host, Actress & Author

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We’re Designed for Special Purposes

“My Creator, my Maker, I thank You for designing me for a special purpose. I know that You have given me the tools and the competence to fulfill that purpose. Lord, help me not to be distracted or derailed from that purpose. Help me to keep my vision focused on Your greater plan. I accept Your love and Your grace, today, and every day. Amen.”

~ Jetola E. Anderson-Blair
Author, Entrepreneur & Bilingual SPHR Certified Senior HR Professional

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A Dad’s Wish Fulfilled

“I have fulfilled my father’s wish to be a teacher as, through my music, I teach generations of people about my culture and the happiness that is found in just living life. As a performer, I want people to feel their hearts sing and their spirits soar.”

~ Celia Cruz,
a.k.a. Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso
Singer-Performer (1950-2003), 80+ Albums & Songs Recorded, Gold Records (23X), Latin Grammy Awards (4X), Grammy Awards (5X), Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1987), Guinness World Record Book (1987 Carnaval Tenerife – Islas Canarias, Spain), Yale University Honorary Doctorate of Music (1989), Celia Cruz Way Street Dedication (1990 Miami, FL, Calle Ocho Walk of Fame Star (1991), Golden Eagle Lifetime Achievement Award in Music (1991 Hollywood, CA), Hispanic Women Achievers Award (1992),
Desi Awards Favorite Film Actress (1992 Hollywood, CA), Encuentro Lifetime Achievement Award (1992 Washington D.C.), La MUSA de Oro Life Time Achievement Award (1994 Caracas, Venezuela), Billboards Latin Music Hall of Fame Award (1994), University of Panama Life Time Achievement Award (1994), Walk of Fame Star Amador Bendayan (1995 Caracas, Venezuela), Costa Rica’s Walk of Fame Star (1997), Galeria Walk of Fane Star (1997 Mexico City, Mexico), Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award (1998 Washington, DC)
University of Miami Honorary Doctorate in Music (1999), International Latin Music Hall of Fame (1999)
New York’s Central Park Summer Stage (2002), Calle Celia Cruz Street Dedication (2004 Tenerife, Spain), Celia Cruz Way Street Dedication (2004 Union City, New Jersey), Guinness World Record Book Longest Working Career as Salsa Artist (2005), Celia Cruz Square Dedication (2005 Hollywood, CA) & United States Postal Service Commemorative Postage Stamp (2011)

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When the Right Opportunity Presents Itself

“When opportunity presents itself grab it. Hold on tight and don’t let go.”

~ Celia Cruz,
a.k.a. Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso
Singer-Performer (1950-2003), 80+ Albums & Songs Recorded, Gold Records (23X), Latin Grammy Awards (4X), Grammy Awards (5X), Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1987), Guinness World Record Book (1987 Carnaval Tenerife – Islas Canarias, Spain), Yale University Honorary Doctorate of Music (1989), Celia Cruz Way Street Dedication (1990 Miami, FL, Calle Ocho Walk of Fame Star (1991), Golden Eagle Lifetime Achievement Award in Music (1991 Hollywood, CA), Hispanic Women Achievers Award (1992),
Desi Awards Favorite Film Actress (1992 Hollywood, CA), Encuentro Lifetime Achievement Award (1992 Washington D.C.), La MUSA de Oro Life Time Achievement Award (1994 Caracas, Venezuela), Billboards Latin Music Hall of Fame Award (1994), University of Panama Life Time Achievement Award (1994), Walk of Fame Star Amador Bendayan (1995 Caracas, Venezuela), Costa Rica’s Walk of Fame Star (1997), Galeria Walk of Fane Star (1997 Mexico City, Mexico), Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award (1998 Washington, DC)
University of Miami Honorary Doctorate in Music (1999), International Latin Music Hall of Fame (1999)
New York’s Central Park Summer Stage (2002), Calle Celia Cruz Street Dedication (2004 Tenerife, Spain), Celia Cruz Way Street Dedication (2004 Union City, New Jersey), Guinness World Record Book Longest Working Career as Salsa Artist (2005), Celia Cruz Square Dedication (2005 Hollywood, CA) & United States Postal Service Commemorative Postage Stamp (2011)

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Why Have You Been Given So Much?

“It is a dangerous thing to ask why someone else has been given more. It is humbling – and indeed healthy – to ask why you have been given so much.”

~ Condoleezza Rice,
Founder – Center for New Generation (1992), Political Scientist, Diplomat, United States Secretary of State (2005–2009),
United States National Security Advisor (2001–2005), Provost of Stanford University (1993–1999),
Augusta National Golf Club (2012), ESPNW Impact 25 (2014), Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2017) & Author

Class Clowning Cash

“You know, I was the class clown in Catholic school, but I never thought I would make a living out of it!”

~ Sofia Vergara
Actress, Television Producer, Presenter, Model, Imagen Foundation Awards (2011), NAACP Image Awards (2011),
Screen Actors Guild (2012), Glamour Awards (2012), Screen Actors Guild (2013) & People’s Choice Award (2017)

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You’ll Spend Less Time Railing Against Life’s Unfairness

“The sooner you learn that life is not fair, the better off you’ll be, because you’ll spend less time railing against life’s unfairness and feeling aggrieved and entitled, and more time figuring out how to maximize your assets, and your talents and how to deal with things that you’re not very good at.”

~ Condoleezza Rice,
Founder – Center for New Generation (1992), Political Scientist, Diplomat, United States Secretary of State (2005–2009),
United States National Security Advisor (2001–2005), Provost of Stanford University (1993–1999),
Augusta National Golf Club (2012), ESPNW Impact 25 (2014), Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2017) & Author

You’re Empowered from Within

“Others can inspire you, but ultimately the only thing that empowers you is what lies within you and learning how to better utilize what you’ve been given.”

~ T. D. Jakes, Sr.,
Bishop/Chief Pastor of The Potter’s House,
Author & Filmmaker

Be Prepared to Succeed

“Either you’re prepared and succeed or you fall short and never get another shot.”

~ Nancy Wilson,
Song Stylist, Singer (Blues, Jazz, Cabaret, Pop & soul)
Grammy Awards (2007, 2005 1964, 3X)

Artistry Doesn’t Have to End in Your 50s

“Being an artist doesn’t start because you’re 21, and it doesn’t end because you’re 51.
You are who you are until the day you die.”

~ Jennifer Lynn Lopez
Actress, Author, Fashion Designer,
Dancer, Producer & Singer

I Went Merrily to the Bank

“If you can’t ‘Bank’, there’s no need to work.  If I want to do a charity or freebie, I will choose that on my own.
But, basically, I work to see “Okay, the nut is cracked what do I have left to put into the bank?”
Because the bottom line is to capitalize on my health and success, or popularity, at this moment;
because it’s not promised to me in the future (and to prepare for that future).
Even if I become more so, there’s no one to promise that to me.  I’d be a fool to cry later and say,
“I can’t pay my bills; I don’t have anything.”, and whatever.  I don’t want to be one of those people.
I want to say, “Look, when it was time to make hay, I made it.  I’m like a little ant, I went merrily to the bank and put it away.””

~ Lola Falana
Singer, Dancer, Actress, Model, Golden Globe Award Nom. (1970),
Tony Award Nom. (1975), Theater World Award (1975), Founder – Lambs of God.

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Stand, Even When It’s Unpopular

“Make decisions that speak truth to power and stand even when it is unpopular.
In fact, especially when it is unpopular. Stand for the true principles of life, liberty, choice,
and the pursuit of happiness to which we are entitled.”

~ Alfre Woodard,
Co-Founder – Artists for a New South Africa,
Emmy Award (4X), Golden Globe Award & Screen Actors Guild Awards (3X)

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Love: The Continual Growing

“Keep a conscious intent for your sonata, for your start up, your suspension bridge, for your space station.
Remember, our real work in this life is the continual growing into how to love and how to receive love.
You guys are finally free to go and do. So go, make stuff. Make just laws. Make films.
Make sustainable foods, renewable energy. Make love. Make peace.”

~ Alfre Woodard,
Co-Founder – Artists for a New South Africa,
Emmy Award (4X), Golden Globe Award & Screen Actors Guild Awards (3X)

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Our Little Niches

“We are all experts in our own little niches.”

~ Alex Trebek,
Television Personality, Game Show Host & Actor

Mind on Fire

“I want my children to experience as much creativity as possible;
that’s what sets your mind on fire.”

~ Angela Bassett,
Actress, Author, Saturn Award, Image Awards (5x),
Golden Globe Award & Black Reel Award

Career Should be a Spiritual Pursuit

“Career should be a spiritual pursuit, not just a physical or financial one.
Your career should be where your dreams, aspirations, talents, and hopes
for the present and future play out.”

~ DeVon Franklin,
TV Producer, Author, Speaker & Spiritual Success Coach

Your Purpose & Your Unique Talent

“Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others.
When we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience
the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.”

~ Kallam Anji Reddy,
Entrepreneur, Founder-Chairman – Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Chairman – Dr. Reddy’s Foundation (DRF),
Padma Shri Award (2001) & Padmabhushan Award (2011)

Believe & Keep Going

“Always believe in yourself and keep going. You don’t have to have the most talent in the world.
You don’t have to be the smartest person in the world. If you persist and you persist and you persist, you will be successful.”

~ Dean Cain,
a.k.a. Dean George Tanaka
Actor, Producer, Television Host

Being an Asset

“We all have a gift; we all have a passion – it’s just about finding it
and going into it. Being an asset to your family and community.”

~ Angela Bassett,
Actress, Author, Saturn Award, Image Awards (5x),
Golden Globe Award & Black Reel Award

All the Things I Love

“All the things I love is what my business is all about.”

~ Martha Stewart,
Entrepreneur, Writer, Television Host,
Founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia & former Fashion Model

Doing Our Best, Giving Our Best

“A diva is someone who is a perfectionist, who does her best in her craft.
So, if diva means giving your best, then yes, I guess I am a diva.”

~ Patti LaBelle,
Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur & Actress

~ Image via NAME HERE

You’ll Always Find the Time

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“If you love what you do, then you always find the time.”

~ Heidi Klum,
Model, Television Personality, Businesswoman, Fashion Designer,
Singer, Television Producer, Author & Actress