I lost my mother when I was 10 and my father in my early 20s. That created a strong empathy for people who have suffered, and a desire to reach out with kindness.

My mother never got a chance to use her wedding china. It was locked in a little cabinet. When the Troubles [in Northern Ireland] escalated, a tank rumbled down the street, and all the china broke. Live like every day is your last.

I was looking for a job when the Touched by an Angel role turned up. As a person of faith, I found it such a privilege to be the messenger to 25 million people a week.

My costar, Della Reese, ended up being the mother I had been looking for—she taught me so much, and I love her and miss her dearly. She said, “Baby, I knew God brought you into my life because you needed a mom. I just didn’t know he brought you into my life because I needed a baby girl.”

Every event in my life—from my best friend saying “I’m getting married” or “I’m pregnant” to “My father’s dying”—has got a cup of tea connected to it.

Helping others was my father’s answer to everything. When we came home and flung ourselves onto the couch and said, “I’m bored,” his answer would be, “Well, get up and go do something for somebody else.”

My husband [the producer Mark Burnett] is learning how to drive a boat. We don’t have a boat, nor are we likely to get one. But we’re both of the mind it’s important to keep open to the idea of learning.

When we went on a mission for Operation Smile in Jordan, it was hard for our young kids to see children with cleft conditions. But ultimately they realized we can make a difference. They all came back and did fundraising in their schools. And that’s beautiful. —Natasha Stoynoff