Inspirational, warm, funny, mega-talented—those are just a few words that have been used to describe Sheryl Lee Ralph. With a career that has spanned over 40 years, Ralph has sparkled on Broadway, in movies, and on TV screens—including onstage in the ’80s musical Dreamgirls, and later on in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit and on the show Moesha. More recently, she’s been getting a steady drumbeat of love for her portrayal of beloved teacher Barbara Howard on ABC’s Abbott Elementary.

This past fall, Ralph even scored an Emmy Award in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category—making her the second Black woman ever to take home that honor. Her empowering acceptance speech (that included a song) tugged at heartstrings, flooring everyone—including Oprah. More recently, her vocal prowess wowed at Super Bowl LVII with her rendition of the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” And, as if she weren’t busy enough, the star recently announced a partnership with the sanitizer Microban 24, which she started using early in the pandemic. “It has been with me on every plane, it has been on every hotel surface. I’m telling you, I spray everything in my hotel rooms. I’m that girl,” she says.

We recently caught up with Ralph, who shared what’s left on her bucket list, what she’s most proud of, and more.

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We’re guessing you’ve crossed a lot off your bucket list over the past several years. What’s left on it?

I was talking to my good girlfriend yesterday, and she really travels. She gets out there, and she travels. And I said, “You know something, Jennifer? I have got to make use of time and travel much, much more.” I have a home in Jamaica, so I’m there very often. But I’m like, “You know what? Now I've got to go start traveling to some other places. I’ve got to see more of the world.”

I’ve got to see the Taj Mahal. I really want to see it. I want to see the Sphinx. I want to see the temples before they’re gone. I want to experience Venice again before it sinks. I just want to travel more.

You’ve accomplished so much—what are you most proud of?

I’m proud of my marriage. I’m proud that my husband and I are still in love, and still in “like,” and still moving forward together as a couple. When people say, “proudest of,” I truly am very proud of both of my children. The fact that my children do not live at home, do not ask me for money, and do not embarrass me in public, I’m very proud of that. I’m not as proud of raising my dog. I just haven’t been very successful at that. I’m a dog person, but I can’t seem to train a dog.

I know for sure that if I listen to the little voice, if I listen to that—my gut—that it will never, ever steer me wrong.

What’s something that you’re sure of, even though you don’t have proof?

I know for sure that I am enough. I know for sure that if I listen to the little voice, if I listen to that—my gut—that it will never, ever steer me wrong. I know for sure that if I walk in my joy, if I respect myself, that everything is going to be okay for me. I know that for sure. And I also know everything always works out for me, even if it causes me a tear or two. It always works out. I know that for sure.

What’s the most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever done for you?

Wow. I have to tell you, it was weeks after everything, after the Emmys. And I was taking in the moment. I got a call from a friend who simply asked, “With all of this going on, and everybody’s asking you everything, I just have to ask you, how are you?” And I just thought that was so right on, and so sweet. Just the simple question, “How are you?” And I really, I really, really appreciated that a lot.

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Sheryl Lee Ralph at the 74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
PATRICK T. FALLON//Getty Images

What is your definition of love?

Oh my God. Love is looking in the mirror and respecting what you see. Accepting what you see. Empowering what you see. Encouraging what you see. Because, you see, if you can do all of that for what you are looking at in the mirror, ooh, the amount of love, true love, unconditional love, you will be able to experience—not just for that person, but the ability to share it with others? Come on, girl. Come on!

Now, that’s some love right there. You love what you see in the mirror. Love it. Respect it. Uplift it. Encourage it. And don’t act like it can’t be done. Don’t act like it’s some joke. Don’t act like, “Well, that’s just being selfish.” Don’t act like, “Oh, well, that’s just easy for you.” No, honey, I do not look like my journey, and you do not know what storms and rivers I have had to cross. But I have always believed. I might sink now and then, but I will rise. I might be in some dangerous spaces, but I will come through it. And I will put in the work to prepare myself for the ups and downs of life. You’ve got to put in the work on you, baby, to get to that love.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Jane Burnett
Assistant Editor

Jane Burnett is an Assistant Editor at Oprah Daily, where she writes a variety of lifestyle content for the editorial team. She's a journalist with a pop culture sweet tooth—when she isn't catching up on celebrity news, she's usually listening to a podcast! Jane was previously an on-air reporter in local news, and worked at Thrive Global, Ladders News, and Reuters. She also interned at CNBC through the Emma Bowen Foundation, and is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).