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Since her reign as the "sexy" Supreme, there were many potential endings to the Mary Wilson story. A likely scenario could've found Wilson stuffing her face with bon-bons and gaining 300 pounds with "Where Did Our Love Go" playing on an endless loop. Instead, she's written two bestselling books, got a degree from NYU, is lobbying Washington on behalf of the Truth in Music Bill, traveled the world as a cultural ambassador appointed by Colin Powell, and continues to tour nonstop! She lives in Vegas, where I called for a chat.

The Supreme Mary Wilson!

OK LET'S START BY PLAYING SOME WORD ASSOCIATION... YOU SAY THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO YOUR HEAD.

SMOKEY ROBINGSON - great composer
BERRY GORDY - wonderful entrepreneur
ARETHA - Queen of Soul
VEGAS - Not what it used to be
DIANA ROSS - other part of me
WHITNEY HOUSTON - great singer

YOUR FIRST BOOK, "DREAMGIRL: MY LIFE AS A SUPREME," WAS A GREAT, DISHY READ. WHY DID NO ONE TURN IT INTO A MOVIE AT ANY TIME, EVEN FOR TV?
I had gone out to a few companies and at the time it didn't happen. I didn't find as much interest in female stories.

AND NOW BEYONCE IS STARRING IN THE FILM VERSION OF THE "DREAMGIRLS" MUSICAL. DO YOU FEEL A SENSE OF PROPRIETY OVER THE "DREAMGIRLS" STORY EVEN THOUGH THE CREATORS GO TO GREAT PAINS TO SAY THAT THE MUSICAL IS NOT BASED ON THE SUPREMES.
When I first heard about the play I was so thrilled but no one ever called me. They just said it was not about us - but it IS about us. I think they did us quite wrong - they should have acknowledged that the idea was based on the Supremes but they didn't. It's a great play - I'm glad we inspired it but they didn't see fit to acknowledge us so what can you do. I have this beautiful show where I sing standards about my life and I sing "I Am Changing" from DREAMGIRLS.

I GUESS THE ONLY GROUP THAT'S COME CLOSE TO THE SUPREMES IS DESTINY'S CHILD - WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THEM?
I'm sure they're just fine. I'm stuck with the singers I grew up with. This generation I don't quite get into as much as I would my own group. I only know their PR. I've seen them and they look great and have done great I think it's wonderful. My daughter is into them. It's not my generation. I'm 62 and I don't listen to rap or hip hop but I recognize their achievement and think it's absolutely fabulous - these people are doing what we did in the 60s, but we did it first.

EVER MET THEM?
Yes I have and they're very sweet girls. They were very nice.

DO YOU SEE ANY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN BEYONCE SEEKING A SOLO CAREER AND DIANA ROSS LEAVING THE SUPREMES?
I think in every group it happens. The Four Tops is one of the few it didn't happen to. If you're in a group situation and the lead is any good it's just the nature.

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