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Bankrate: Do you think you've finally gained respect from your peers and audience?
Williams: In terms of
the music industry, yes. Being a former beauty queen is probably the worst thing
you can be if you want to be taken seriously as an artist. But I knew I had a
loyal base of fans -- and they bought my records, they came to see me on Broadway
and they're probably watching the TV show. Bankrate:
Any idea of when you'll start working on another album? Williams:
Not yet. I go from month to month not knowing what's going to go on. Right now,
I'm temporarily in Los Angeles and traveling back and forth to New York. Once
I know a little more about my schedule, it'll be easier to book time in a recording
studio and plan it all out.
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Bankrate:
What is your definition of success today? Williams:
Doing what I want to do and having fun with it. The fact that I can more or less
pick and choose what I want to do and get paid for it -- that's the absolute ultimate. Bankrate:
What if one of your kids came to you and said they wanted to be involved in show
business? Williams: Well, my daughters
already do dance, but remember, show business is a business just like any other
business. Only in my career, there's worrying about agents, money and logistics
of being in a business where you have to know you can pay the rent and all that
stuff. I'm not one of those celebrities surrounded by an entourage; I don't have
the money to take a private limousine everywhere. I'm a single mother with four
children. Bankrate: How would you
describe yourself today? Williams:
A working mom who really enjoys the luxury of having a career when time lends
itself. Bankrate: How does this
busy working mom keep a balanced lifestyle and reduce stress?
Williams:
My kids usually force me to leave any issue or
mood that I've created on the set the minute I
come through the door. I'm needed as mom and that
snaps me out of anything. I've learned not to
take everything personally, which is a big stress-reducer.
I find time to enjoy things. It's all about finding
things that bring you joy. I have to spend a lot
of time on planes every week, so I do some crossword
puzzles that I love to do, plus it keeps my mind
active. Yoga helps relax me; I feel much more
stress-free after I've done yoga. And laughter
-- it helps relieve anger and frustration and
I always get a chuckle out of my kids.
Bankrate:
Any guilty pleasures? Williams:
I love good homemade hot bread with butter. Good wine with good friends, a great
atmosphere for conversation and some hot bread. | 
