Mo'Nique is living her dream life: A wonderful husband, new twins, skyrocketing fame, and a sense of self-worth off the charts. Wherever actor-comedian-author Mo'Nique roams, she leaves a trail of laughs and a message of self-empowerment. She made her mark as one of the stand-up sensations in Queen of Comedy then moved on to memorable roles as sassy mom Nikki Parker in the TV comedy The Parkers. She's earned her screen dues in the body-conscious film Phat Girls and a number of other film roles.

In this exclusive interview, Mo'Nique gets as serious as ever about her career, her body image, her gay fans and the cake that she's determined to eat despite what others say.

Girls everywhere are embracing their bodies due in large part to your campaign against skinny. Since then, fashion designers like Michael Kors have spoken against rail thin models; Roseanne Barr now says she's comfortable with her weight; and plus-size casting has been at an all-time high. Have you started a plus-size revolution?

I don't think I have, because there were so many women before me that were big and voluptuous. They were very sexy and accepted. I'm not sure when things took a turn. At some point, these invisible people at the Hollywood table said, 'We no longer like that. We want women to look like little boys.' I don't know if I can take that charge. I've always been so comfortable with just me and now I have a platform to say how comfortable I am with me. And in doing so other women can be comfortable, too.

It wasn't something I set out to do.

A lot of people have a lot of things to say about what isn't ok: Being a plus size woman, being a same-gender loving person. Even in some gay circles, there is a overwhelming need to have the perfect body and a six pack. Is there a way people can overcome this body image pressure?

If you stop buying what society is selling, you're body image will be fine. Make sure your health is good; but let your body be what your body will be. I don't think that's just in the gay lifestyle, that's in every walk of life. We want to be accepted so badly by someone else that we're willing to kill ourselves doing it. But the moment you look at that person naked, I promise you you're going to find so much that's wrong. And you're going to say, 'I was trying to impress you? Am I absolutely insane?'

Was there a certain point in your life when you said, 'Enough is enough, this is who I am'?

When my doctor told me I had high blood pressure I said, 'Ok, let me start taking care of myself.' I give myself an hour a day. Maybe I go for a walk; maybe I climb a hill; maybe I have great sex; or maybe I swim in the pool. I give myself an hour a day to make sure my heart is pumping right.

How did you make that commitment to change?

I just gave birth to twins a year ago...

Congratulations, by the way...

Thank you, baby. I want to see them when they're 50 years old. I want to meet my great-grandchildren. The moment I gave birth I said, 'Let me not put myself in a position where I'm not in the best place to win.'

Let's talk about your first dramatic role, Shadowboxer. Why this film as your dramatic debut?

Because it was offered. [laugh] I met Lee Daniels at the Monster's Ball after party and he said to me, 'You don't realize just how talented you are. I have something for you.' Well, you hear that every day in Hollywood. So, I said, 'Okay, baby. I'll talk to you when I talk to you.' Sure enough he called back.

You weren't expecting his call?

I wasn't, because people tell me they have something for me all the time. That [Shadowboxer] role was originally meant for a 20-years-old Caucasian girl who was a size '0' with big breasts. Go figure how he got me. That's what I'm talking about, baby. [laugh] He dared to go over the edge and because he did that for me it was my job and obligation to give him the best of me.

It's interesting you say that because it seems like you give your all in every role.

I don't take what I do for granted. I prayed for this. I said, 'God, please give me this.' So, how dare I take it for granted? Do you know how quickly this can be taken away from me? So every time I have the opportunity to walk my dream- oh, baby- I walk so proudly.

You've gone from a phat girl, to a beer slinger to a crack head. What's next?

Tomorrow, I hope. My days are always so surprising that I just hope I wake up in the morning. I don't have control over what's next.

Would you ever play a gay role?

Yes. I would.

[One of Mo'Niques 1-year-old twins enters]

How has your new family affected your career?

I have the most incredible family life and if I told you how good it was, you might say, '[ex] stop playing!' My husband was my best friend for 25 years and he totally gets what I do. I have two incredible nanas who totally get what I do. I have three beautiful children who totally get what I do. They've never said, 'You need to stop or slow down,' because what I do makes me complete to all of these people. If I could not go on the road, I would probably die. That's my life. I love my babies and my husband and I love people, too. Oh baby, I love it. When I go out on the road and I get that drug called people I come home so high.

Do you have a message for all of your gay fans?

Live your life in complete happiness every day. Has anyone ever told you can't have your cake and eat it too? Like that's a bad thing. You're [ex] right I want my cake and I want to eat it... It's mine! I want to lick the plate, because it's mine! So I would say to people. It's your cake... so eat every crumb.

[twin starts to cry]

I'll let you get back to your family. Thanks Mo'Nique.

Thank you, baby.