Jesse Jackson is a leader and a teacher who can open our hearts and open our minds and stir our very souls.

I met Jesse Owens once. He was a remarkable individual and I have tremendous respect for what he did in the Olympics under the circumstances.

I didn't have any role models really. My best friend was a dog. My mum and dad saved a dog from the gutter and that dog was my brother before Jesse was born. Sami was his name and he was my role model.

I'm in show business... I want to hang out with Janet Jackson not Jesse Jackson.