She won six weeks straight for “The Amateur Hour,” at the Apollo Theater.  Following her wins Stephanie got her first professional booking with the Isley Brothers.  Mills, graced the Broadway stages, The Wiz for the musical version of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”  Her marvelous vocals pulled the audience in each and every time she performed the role as Dorothy.  Mills, took ownership when she sung the amazing rendition of the ballad “Home,” and audiences went crazy.  Mills had a five year run with the play.  Some of the headliners in the play were, Hinton Battle as scarecrow, Tiger Haynes –Tinman, Ted Ross- Lion, Dee Dee Bridgewater-Glinda, Andre De Shields-The Wiz, Mabel King-Evillene, Tasha Thomas- Aunt Em and many more.  This was a musical, all black cast, comedy and original play.  Next came the film in 1978, Ted Ross-Lion and Mabel King who played Evillene made their appearance again.  Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Richard Pryor who played The Wiz took over the feature film by Motown.

Mills, was close friends with Hazel Jackson, Jermaine’s former wife who was instrumental to her Motown experience.  Motown was one of the most famous independent record labels in history. Gordy was so impressed that he signed Mills to the Motown label.  Mills really started to come alive with 20^th Century Records in 1979 with hits such as, “Put Your Body In It,” What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin’.” In 1980 she won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance-Female record “Never Knew Love Like This Before.”  Mills went on to win American Music Award for Favorite Female Artist-Soul/Rhythm & Blues.  Hit after hit breaking out on a path to success.  Her next album, Sweet Sensation, which had the hit, “Never Knew Love Like This Before, titled appropriately a SWEET SENSATION.  Mills, went on to record her next album that involved another great artist Teddy Pendergrass in the duet called, “Two Hearts.”  Collaborations with various writers such as Angela Winbush produced amazing creations.  Mills, also had appearances on soap operas such as, One Life to Live and As The World Turns.  A born actress and singer…destiny took over in a very positive way in such an early stage in Mills’s life.  The entertainer also had other record deals that lead to her success.

So you ask yourself how did Mills stay so grounded as a kid star.  Mills said, “her family made the difference on staying grounded.”  So often you read about child stars being so vulnerable due to their lifestyle change.  It only makes sense to be grounded if, your on the road and have a family member travel with you.  Growing up in front of cameras, could be a challenge if you have the wrong people around you.  Mills, was one of the fortunate young stars, who had her mother travel with her while she was on the road, as a child.  Now, even more stars have to deal with paparazzi and other pressures.  Many children who find fame at an early age with out that safety net can dissociate themselves with the real world.  Mills said, “it’s also important to surround yourself with people you trust.”

DM:  You started your career at such a young age, it has been said that you were known as “the little girl with the big voice.”  How did you handle fame at such an early age?

SM:  My mother traveled with me when I went on the road.  Also, having family around me helped me stay very grounded.

DM:  Tell us about your experience performing on the stage of the world-famous Apollo Theater?

SM:  I was 9 years old when I won “The Amateur Hour,” six weeks straight.  It was such a wonderful experience.  This is also when I landed professional bookings with the Isley Brothers.

DM:  You’ve accomplished so much as a child star.  Especially with your rise to fame when you portrayed Dorothy in an African-American adaptation of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz entitled The Wiz.  How were you able to deal with the success?

SM:  I was 16 years old and I looked at performing as fun…so I was having fun.  Staying grounded was made easy again due to family.

DM:  Is it true Hazel Jackson discovered you and was responsible for your Motown start?

SM:  Yes, I was close friends with Hazel and she and Motown’s Suzanne de Passe were friends.

DM:  Stephanie you have a string of hits that have an everlasting impression.  Songs like, “Home” and “Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin’,” to name a few proved you are a super star.  Do you have any favorites?

SM:  Power of Love would be one of my favorites.  I put a lot of my favorites in my shows.  People want to hear them just as you recorded them and that’s what I do.  Sometimes a remix can change the whole sound.

DM:  You even had hits in the UK…did you ever perform there?

SM:  Yes I have performed in other places.  I’ve performed with Teddy Pendergrass at the Victoria Theatre.  It was a wonderful experience.

DM:  Do you have the same passion for acting as you do for singing?

SM:  I enjoy both, but I have more of a passion for singing.

DM:  What is your most favorite thing to do when you are not performing?

SM:  Spending time with my 6 year old son.  I love being a mother.

DM:  Your continued success speaks for itself.  What words of wisdom can you give our readers who would like to embark on an entertainment career?

SM:  You have to love it…the entertainment business is a hard business.  Also, surround yourself with people you trust.  It’s a fast business and very rewarding.  Remember entertainment is not the real world.  You will not have a gown on everyday or go in and out of limos all the time.  You have to be able to live in the real world as well.  Also by staying out of hot spots you are able to lead a more private life.  That’s the way I like it.  You can do the awards shows and red carpet but also have your privacy.

Readers look out for Stephanie Mills when she is in your area.  She is touring now, what an amazing artist you don’t want to miss.  Stephanie, thank you for stepping onto Center Stage.  Emerald City was never the same.