Hollywood Walk of Fame Honoree Melissa Etheridge Talks 'Glee,' Obama (Q&A)

It's a vintage Hollywood tale: Wide-eyed 21-year-old steps from the bus from Kansas with hopes for rock fame, hit records, honours and perhaps introducing among her idols. Melissa Etheridge accomplished everything and much more -- she duetted using the Boss, to begin with, and won two Grammys as well as an Oscar. Nonetheless, because the 50-year-old singer is acknowledged for her accomplishments having a star around the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she strongly recalls her place throughout the boulevard's seedier days, telling THR: "Whenever you develop within the Area, this is actually the Land of Oz. It's the dream I purchased it hook, line and sinker."our editor recommendsMelissa Etheridge on her behalf 'American Idiot' Role: 'It's Not really a Man or woman Thing'Melissa Etheridge on Why Gay Participants Fare Best on 'The Voice' Than 'American Idol'Melissa Etheridge, Physical Violence Worsens Ink Broadway DealsMelissa Etheridge splits with partner THR: You've accomplished a lot in music -- Grammys, multiple Top Ten hits, an Oscar for that song "I have to AwakenInch from An Bothersome Truth. Which moment sticks out? Melissa Etheridge: Singing "Thunder Road" with Bruce Springsteen [on MTV in 1995]. I had been very proud. It had been among individuals markers, such as the brass ring. Getting just emerge from singing at Woodstock ྚ for 300,000 people, it had been amazing. PHOTOS: Grammys: Top Ten Must-See Moments THR:Many recall your 2005 Grammy performance. You'd gone through chemotherapy while fighting cancer of the breast and lost hair. What had you been convinced that evening? Etheridge:I hadn't been from the house for 3 several weeks, therefore it was a little of the shock but an extremely personal evening. I had been inside a private meditation, like: "OK, Melissa, display to the world that cancer didn't kill you, that you simply're not suffering. And operate and sing among the finest tunes ever ["Bit of My Heart"], by among the finest artists, Janis Joplin." I hadn't prepared myself a lot for that bald factor -- I didn't consider the social part it performed. But years later, not really a week passes when someone doesn't let me know just how much the performance designed to them. THR:Was there anything profound stated backstage? Etheridge:I recall finding yourself in the rear hallway and hearing someone yell, "Move aside, everybody!" because J.Lo and Marc Anthony were walking by. I needed to line facing the wall. I figured, "Such a funky job I've within this crazy world." It had been a stark contrast towards the spiritual awakening I had been getting at that time. ... Probably the most profound factor was throughout dress testing when Kris Kristofferson walked onstage weeping and held me for, like, three minutes. PHOTOS: Grammys Red-colored Carpet THR:With Top 40 skewing so urban and dance-affected recently, where would you call at your role in music today? Etheridge:I'm writing for my next album now, and that i have completely forget about ever fitting in to the pop world. My job would be to create music of my soul. I don't have to play the overall game any longer. THR:Are you currently keen on Glee? Etheridge:It's clever and totally implies that the planet loves gay entertainment. Without us, an amount you laugh at? Although I needed to visit the Glee concert with my daughter -- my dear God, shoot me. However it's an equation that's existed forever: kids singing tunes we all know, large lights, dancing and screaming women. They've been doing the work since Frank Sinatra. PHOTOS: 'Glee' Season 3: To School Pictures THR:You arrived on the scene 18 years back. If Glee have been around whenever you were a teen, wouldn't it have transformed your existence? Etheridge:Yes! I see my daughter's experience of senior high school. She and her buddies really discuss [their sexuality]. ... Giving youthful people careful analysis label yourself now or otherwise, praising anything that you're -- generation x will shame us. THR:Your tunes happen to be carried out on The American Idol Show. What organization of all of the TV singing shows today? Etheridge:It's just like a spectator sport. Everybody wants to evaluate it's an important a part of society and human instinct. I'm not surprised that talent shows are hits, however i'm glad a number of them aren't so brutal. PHOTOS: An 'American Idol' to 'X Factor' Timeline THR:You had been a vocal supporter of Obama's presidential bid in 2008, proclaiming in an L.A. concert that you simply "felt change coming." How's it going feeling about things now? Etheridge:In hindsight, it'll most likely be my last political endorsement of the Republican or Democrat. Not while he's disappointed me but because I now see very clearly they all response to exactly the same boss: large business -- the multinational companies that completely run our country. They're likely to nitpick as our nation gradually becomes fascism. I'm not extending its love to pretend any longer. I supported Obama for social issues. In my opinion he introduced our nation together and cured our racial divide. Martin Luther King's dream came true when he was chosen. That's huge. ... However the division isn't employed by me any longer. THR:The Walk of Fame star means you've created a permanent mark about this town. How can you experience the recognition? Etheridge:It's the strangest factor. I had been that girl in 1982 that walked along Hollywood Boulevard prior to being a tourist attraction, if this was crack sellers chilling out. I'd say, "This is actually the town where, whenever you allow it to be, installed your title in stone." If there is the zombie apocalypse, my title would survive. It's very mythic and legendary. WALK OF FAME When: 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 27 Where: 6901 Hollywood Blvd. while watching Hard Rock Guest speaker: Hamish Dodds of Hard Rock Worldwide Related Subjects Glee Grammy Honours Obama The American Idol Show Bruce Springsteen