Brandy Norwood

The mall is my life.

I’ve always wanted to be a mom at 23, 24ish, ever since I was a little girl. I’m right on schedule.

My daughter is in love with Adele. She listens to her every day. To see someone with that much passion and soul move a 9-year-old is amazing and it’s magical.

It may not be the best in someone else’s eyes, but it’s the best I can do.

When you fall in love, you wanna share it with people but you know there are some things that you need to keep to yourself, ’cause privacy makes things last longer, I feel.

I don’t know how I feel right now.

My father would always praise me. He always thought I was the smartest person

They say that no matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood.

When your children arrive, your heart becomes a room with wide open windows.

Always remember your kid’s name. Always remember where you put your kid. Don’t let your kid drive until their feet can reach the pedals. Use the right size diapers … for yourself. And, when in doubt, make funny faces.

I learned another thing from the hurt my cousin gave me – never to give that kind of hurt to anyone else. My revenge was to change a bad feeling into a good one. If I’m working with you and I sense you’re feeling a little insecure, I try to make you feel great. That’s how I get rid of my old hurt. If I don’t do that, my hurt grows and makes me mean and vengeful. But if hurt can change to kindness – that’s something Mama showed me – the world becomes a little less cruel.

I feel very blessed to have two wonderful, healthy children who keep me completely grounded, sane and throw up on my shoes just before I go to an awards show just so I know to keep it real.

You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.

My most important title is “mom-in-chief”. My daughters are still the heart of my heart and the centre of my world.

What will your children be teaching your grandchildren?

I was probably 10 or 11 when I saw that, and sort of started thinking, ‘You know what? Marriage is an option. Having a family is an option. And going to school and getting your education and building your career is another really viable option that can lead to happiness and fulfillment.

No person in their right mind would want to put their family through what I’ve had to put my family through.

There’s a reason why people who’ve had bad relationships with their parents listen to angry stuff.

Growing up, I was taught that a man has to defend his family. When the wolf is trying to get in, you gotta stand in the doorway. He has to get through you first before he gets into the house to get your family. I’m one of those guys who wants to be in that door.

I always sort of felt like the eight years that Barack was president, it was sort of like having the good parent at home. You know, the responsible parent, the one who told you to eat your carrots and go to bed on time.

Your siblings are the only people in the world who know what it’s like to have been brought up the way you were.