Her childhood and health struggles

© Columbia Pictures

Your childhood was far from easy. Can you tell us about it? 
I did encounter violence and abuse as a child. It gave me an understanding of the damage it does and the inner strength you have to find to get through it...the will to survive and fight. 

There are rumours that you were suicidal in 1996 after you split up with your first husband (baseball player David Justice). Are they true? Yes, they are true. But I only talked about it to help other people who are going through the same thing. It's always helped me personally to hear stories from people who are happy but who have had a difficult past. That said, all that stuff is totally in the past now.  

You've had troubles with your health too. How did you react to being diagnosed with diabetes? 
When I found out I was diabetic I took it very seriously right from the start and I realised it was something I had to fight. I know I'm not allowed to eat just anything I like and I have to treat my body properly. I underwent a period of intensive treatment with daily insulin injections and luckily now I need much less treatment. I feel good and healthy. I want to say to all your readers that if you stay healthy and balanced you can handle diabetes. 

Do you think you're an inspiration to young people?
I hope so! I know I have a real responsibility because I have had it tough and because I'm coloured. My success gives a message of hope to young people and shows producers that a black woman can be bankable. 

Do you think racism has completely disappeared from Hollywood these days?
I don't think it's as simple as that. I'm lucky in that I'm being offered more and more interesting roles that would never have been given to a black woman before. Things have changed a little for coloured women, but we still have to fight and though the situation has improved, there's still a long way to go.