Deborah Joy Winans

Can you offer some encouragement to those who might want to follow in your footsteps?

I want to encourage everyone to just to keep going, dreams don't come true overnight. You have to keep working hard in the midst of struggle. Trust me, I've struggled but when you really let go and give it to God and be patient and do the work you need to do, things can change in the blink of an eye. Stay faithful and trust what God has for you, it is for you.

Talk about the influence of Oprah Winfrey?

Ms. Winfrey has been giving me advice from the first day of shooting, it's something I've carried with me. Her believing in me, made me more confident. I was able to stand on my own and not be too afraid to do what I know I can do. I would just watch her work all day long, she's incredible, I'm always learning.