{"product_id":"9781451608427","title":"Redefining Diva : Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eRedefining Diva\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): Sheryl Lee Ralph\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSecrets about love, life, and Hollywood from the Tony Award-winning actress from the Broadway production of \u003ci\u003eDreamgirls\u003c\/i\u003e in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the original Broadway show.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eYou may think that Sheryl Lee Ralph earned a legion of devoted fans and the title of Ultimate Diva by being a star of Broadway, film, and television, but Sheryl Lee believes a Diva is something far more special.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e • A \u003cb\u003eDiva \u003c\/b\u003eloves the woman she sees in the mirror.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e • A \u003cb\u003eDiva \u003c\/b\u003eowns her talent and her strength.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e • A \u003cb\u003eDiva \u003c\/b\u003eknows the first step on the road to fame is respecting herself.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e SHERYL LEE RALPH’S superstar performance as the original Deena in Broadway’s groundbreaking musical Dreamgirls didn’t happen overnight. First came a grueling Hollywood apprenticeship, where roles for young black women at the time were often offensive and demeaning. Sheryl Lee, however, held stubbornly to the values of her mother and grandmother: she wouldn’t take any part she couldn’t be proud of. Even after joining Dreamgirls—where she helped create a role that grew from her own life story—she would invest years of sweat and tears before the play finally opened to instant acclaim.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e In these highly personal reflections, Sheryl Lee Ralph reveals her take on her supposed feuds with Diana Ross and Jennifer Holliday, on auditioning for Sidney Poitier, on why she exited so controversially from the TV series Moesha, and how she signed away her rights to Dreamgirls for a dollar. She uses her life story to illustrate her vision: black, white, or any other color of the rainbow, a true Diva is a person of strength, character, and a beauty that radiates from within. Not just a memoir, Redefining Diva will inspire every woman (and man) who reads it to examine the potential in their own life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\"In Ralph's sharp account of the stage performance [\u003ci\u003eDreamgirls\u003c\/i\u003e], she reveals intimate views of Nell Carter, Quincy Jones, Jennifer Holliday, and especially Michael Bennett, the show's director and choreographer . . . She offers stories about Diana Ross, adding new drama to the \u003ci\u003eDreamgirls \u003c\/i\u003esaga . . . Ralph's involvement in children's charities, politics, and her own Diva Foundation, which promotes AIDS awareness, portrays a deeply compassionate woman. Readers will welcome her honesty.\" -- \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A highly enthusiastic memoir by one of the original Broadway \u003ci\u003eDreamgirls . . . \u003c\/i\u003eRalph presents an engrossing story of a woman who challenged Hollywood and its limited roles for black women.\" -- \u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Every chapter of Sheryl Lee Ralph's new book, \u003ci\u003eRedefining Diva \u003c\/i\u003ebrilliantly interweaves her captivating life story in Hollywood and projects in humanitarianism with inspirational messages to all women to be fearless, to embrace sisterhood, and to have courage to go for their dreams. The Dreamgirl's tome is so well-written, honest and heart-warming that I savored every word, knowing that every woman will find it a comfort and an inspiration.\" -- Dr. Judy Kuriansky, internationally noted clinical psychologist, United Nations NGO representative, author and TV and radio commentator\u003cbr\u003e\"Sheryl Lee Ralph is a true D.I.V.A. She uses her powers for good, not evil. This book is truly an inspiration to all who read.\"--Wendy Williams\u003cbr\u003e\"Sheryl Lee Ralph's \u003ci\u003eRedefining Diva \u003c\/i\u003eis delightful, insightful, humorous and delicious in every sense of the word. A must read for every person looking to be divinely inspired.\"--Fitness and motivational icon Richard Simmons\u003cbr\u003e\"Sheryl Lee Ralph is the epitome of a TRUE DIVA -- she is \u003cb\u003eDivine\u003c\/b\u003e -- she is \u003cb\u003eInspired\u003c\/b\u003e and\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eInspiring -- she is \u003cb\u003eVictorious\u003c\/b\u003e in all she does -- and she is \u003cb\u003eAnointed\u003c\/b\u003e -- all of which comes to light in her extraordinary new book. I am proud to call her \u003cb\u003eFriend\u003c\/b\u003e!\"--Grammy winning diva Patti Austin\u003cbr\u003e\"Sheryl Lee Ralph has written a book that should be read by everybody! A real page turner to live and learn by.\"--Deidre Hall, soap opera diva and icon\u003cbr\u003e\"Everyone should read Miss Ralph's book. She is an excellent role model for young people and her continuing fight against AIDS makes her a true humanitarian. Oh, and she is an undeniable Diva!\" -- Raven Symone\u003cbr\u003e\"If anyone can redefine diva, it's The Sheryl Lee Ralph. This book is truly a gift for all generations. Heartwarming. Poignant. Real. Where the hair and eyelashes end, her \"real\" diva begins.\" -- Niecy Nash\u003cbr\u003e\"I use to have a negative image of the woman who classified herself as a \"diva\" until I met Miss Sheryl Lee Ralph. She truly is divinely inspirational vivacious \u0026amp; absolutely blessed! Sheryl Lee has taken the term diva and put it into the practical. I love how she shows you how to go inside and bring the diva out to inspire others. Way to go!\" -- Sherri Shepherd, actress, comedienne, and co-host of \u003ci\u003eThe View\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“In her book, \u003ci\u003eRedefining Diva\u003c\/i\u003e, Sheryl Lee Ralph does just that! Through personal reflections and testimonials coupled with words of wisdom—both learned and passed down by others—Ralph takes back the word \u003ci\u003eDiva\u003c\/i\u003e. She owns it, and in doing so encourages \u003ci\u003eDivas\u003c\/i\u003e from all walks of life to embrace the title that is truly and rightfully their own.”--Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.\u003cbr\u003eWith REDEFINING DIVA, Dreamgirl Sheryl Lee Ralph shares her inspiring and insightful life experiences in order that ALL women can celebrate their inner and outer DIVA joyously and gloriously.\"--Shaun Robinson, Host of \u003ci\u003eAccess Hollywood\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9781451608427\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"Gallery Books\/Karen Hunter Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":40590424867022,"sku":"9781451608427","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/O_58d27036-62e2-4b9d-9a8c-bb04881c94c3.jpg?v=1637737236","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9781451608427","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}