Ricki Lake

“I was a girl and became a woman. Something about having the freedom at home to be in the position I wanted, to have the people I wanted, was empowering.”

“What's the difference between tough love and acting like a jerk?”

“I hate the feeling of falling - I'll never jump from a plane - but I love a good roller coaster. Go figure!”

“It's inspiring, I think, for women out there to see I'm a regular person. I am the every woman who's struggled with my weight.”

“I had a really kind of yucky divorce and it was really challenging to get over that.”

“For me, being memorable is more important than winning.”

“If I had been on 'Bowling for Dollars', I'd wind up owing them money.”

“I am wearing a size 28 Paige Jeans. Jeans don't lie, and I am just happy!”

“I do not want to die being known for doing baby mama DNA tests on my show.”

“I never set out to be a role model for large women, I just do what I feel is right.”

“I want to spark ideas and conversations and inspire people to take active roles in their communities, relationships and their well-being.”

“I've lost 12 inches in three weeks. Every time I go for the costume fitting each week, it's smaller and smaller. I'm feeling great. I'm putting in the work. I'm getting a lot of sleep. Everything is on the backburner right now. 'Dancing' is my priority.”

“I can't even plan tomorrow.”

“It was a long time in the making, my divorce. One day became less special than the next, and pretty soon, we ceased all conversation. It is a sad day when you have nothing left to say.”

“I was this role model for heavy people. But the thing is, I never set out to be a role model at all, and I don't set out to be one now. I won't preach to anyone and tell them how to lose weight. I don't know any better than the next person.”

“Motherhood is the greatest thing and the hardest thing.”

“Being fat worked, and I think that was what was confusing for me for a long time in my career.”

“Normal birth to me should not be numb from the waist down and waiting for the doctor to tell you to push. There's a reason we feel it. There's a reason we need to feel it.”

“I am not a natural dancer.”

“My body holds on to every part of every, you know, calorie that there is out there.”