"The objective of our focus groups is to find which new ideas have the greatest potential," Ms. Knight said.

Ms. Knight, who is 51, said she got interested in market research by working on political campaigns.

He made friends with other black artists, including Ms. Knight.

"I decided to go through with it because no one could tell us how severely affected she would be," Ms. Knight said.

In the beginning, Ms. Knight said, many owners refused to let them through the door.

Ms. Knight was also outspoken on equal rights for women.

"She touched children no one else would touch," Ms. Knight said.

But with pressure to keep wait times short, it was hard to excuse employees long enough for training, Ms. Knight said.

Ms. Knight had also been named best guest actress in a drama series.

Ms. Knight and her attorneys say the allegations are exaggerated or false.