Deborah Joy Winans

“Singing was never my thing.”

“I didn't have drama in high school. So when I graduated high school and started at Wayne State in Detroit, I told my parents I was going to major in theater. And they were like, 'OK. Why? You've never done it.' But, it was just what I wanted, and they came to see my very first show and, from then, completely supported me.”

“I just entered the wonderful world of 40s, so anything anti-aging, I'm jumping on.”

“'Greenleaf' is nothing like 'Empire.' I think 'Empire' stands alone in what they are doing. It's a wonderful show. The only thing that is similar though is that they are black families - the shows in it of themselves have very different dynamics.”

“I have 18 or 19 first cousins, and we're all very close.”

“I think my biggest thing is if you don't believe in you, then others are not going to believe in you.”

“In a family of faith, you don't believe in divorce; you believe you can make it.”

“Health and a positive body image are part of my personal values.”

“I love the Lord. I did grow up in a gospel family.”

“I got my B.F.A. at Wayne State. Moved to L.A. and got my M.F.A. from Cal Arts in acting and just worked hard.”

“I think I'm constantly resorting to making sure to keep God's perspective in my mind.”

“Being from a family in church and being a Christian myself, I pray daily.”