"I decided long ago never to walk in anyone's shadow; if I fail, or if I succeed at least I did as I believe."

"No, I'm not a drug addict, and neither is my husband. If that were so, you'd get a lot less work out of me. It would show in the performances and in the work."

"I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside."

"My mother taught me that when you stand in the truth and someone tells a lie about you, don't fight it."

"I finally faced the fact that it isn't a crime not having friends. Being alone means you have fewer problems."

"When I decided to be a singer, my mother warned me I'd be alone a lot. Basically we all are. Loneliness comes with life."

"I like being a woman, even in a man's world. After all, men can't wear dresses, but we can wear the pants."

"God gave me a voice to sing with, and when you have that, what other gimmick is there?"

"I've turned down a lot of arena dates because I've done the big-arena thing. Now, I want to do something where people can feel me and I can feel them."

"From the beginning, the camera and I were great friends. It loves me, and I love it."

"I'm not crazy about arenas just because I can sell them out. It doesn't do anything for my ego at all. I want to play places where people don't have to sit in the nosebleed seats and wonder what the hell is going on."

"When I heard Aretha, I could feel her emotional delivery so clearly. It came from down deep within. That's what I wanted to do."