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Amber Riley covers the May 2011 cover of Marie Claire magazine. She’s joined by her “Glee” co-stars Lea Michele and Dianna Agron but she steals the spotlight. Labeled “The Powerhouse” by the mag, Riley also gets her own cover.

Greatest personality divide between you and [your character] Mercedes?

Mercedes and I share confidence, but I would never dress that way! I love color, but all the sneakers and neon and jewelry that she wears? I also never had her insecurities about weight — I was skinny in high school — but I love that now I get to show girls how to be comfortable with their bodies.

On-set nickname?

Mama A. I look out for everyone.

Your love prediction for Mercedes?

Being that she lives in Ohio and there are only six black kids in the whole school, it would be great for her to have a biracial relationship. Back in high school, I went on dates, but I was too focused on my career. My parents were like, “It’s nice to have a boyfriend, but it’s even nicer to own your house when you’re 21.”

How does Glee make you feel?

Unstoppable. In high school, I had to write a bucket list. Meeting the president, being on Oprah, and going to — not being nominated for — the Grammys were on my list. And I’ve done all of that through Glee. Standing on the White House balcony last year to sing the National Anthem next to Obama, I couldn’t look at my castmates — those idiots on the lawn — because they were so excited for me, they were bawling. [laughs] I flew home the next day and swore the plane would crash. I was like, “That’s it! What else is there left to do?”

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