Legendary singer Chaka Khan has been entertaining the world with her voice for decades. With nine Grammy wins under her belt and two nominations for 2008, she's still succeeding in the music world. Gayle talks to Chaka about her life, her struggles and her role in the Broadway musical The Color Purple.
In light of the recent announcement that The Color Purple will end its two-year run on Broadway, Chaka says she's sad but okay with the show coming to a close. "It's going out on a high note," Chaka says. "I had a feeling that something was going to change."
She didn't have prior experience on Broadway, but Chaka says she was up for the challenge and loved her time in The Color Purple. But whether she is performing on Broadway or singing on stage, she still gets nervous before her performances. "Before I walk onto any stage I am a wreck," she says. "They say if you don't get nervous then you should probably be doing something else."
Chaka also talks with Gayle about her past drug use and her lifelong battle with weight. She says has been drug-free for more than two years and is proud of who she has become. "I feel fantastic now," she says. "Life is work in progress, and it is never complete."
Most important to Chaka is to be able to continue singing. "Music to me is the highest form of communication, as it transcends all language," she says. "That is the closest to perfection I feel in my entire life, when I am singing."
