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

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.

My mother taught me that when you stand in the truth and someone tells a lie about you, don`t fight it.

I like being a woman, even in a man`s world. After all, men can`t wear dresses, but we can wear the pants.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nobody likes to be picked on. Nobody.

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

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.

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

I know that I could really kill for my daughter. I know because I`m living for her, so I`m fierce when it comes down to it. And I feel the same about my husband and my family. I`m just fiercely protective. It`s like, that`s my lair and nobody messes with my lair.

I was aware of people staring at me. No one moved. They seemed almost in trance. I just stared at the clock in the center of the church. When I finished, everyone clapped and started crying.

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

I`ve got a good man. He takes care of me. I don`t have to be scared of anything because I know he will kick every ass... disrespect him and you`ve got a problem.

I almost wish I could be more exciting, that I could match what is happening out there to me.