Redefining Diva

In this blend of autobiography and self-help book, actress Ralph, who starred in the 1980s Broadway production of Dreamgirls, writes of finding one's inner diva while sharing vignettes from her rise to success. As a young African American actress in the 1970s and 1980s, she faced many obstacles before her big break. This book, reflecting the remarkable woman who has long graced the stage and screen, follows Ralph's journey to Hollywood, her career successes, and her dedication to AIDs awareness campaigns. Readers will enjoy learning about the development of Dreamgirls. At times, however, Ralph's shift from casual autobiographical recollection to "diva-in-training" advice detracts from the story as she summarizes the messages within her experiences rather than allowing readers to learn on their own from her amazing stories.