Depending on what day of the week it is and what time of the month it is, I'm a good friend or not a good friend. I'm more or less a good mom or not a good mom, more or less a good mate or not a good mate. That's just life, whether or not you're public.

To me, it's all about the song. Songs are what make me excited. You hear a great song and you want to record it or get a great idea and you want to write it.

All I ever have to be is what you made me.

I did the best I could, and in some arenas, my best was not good enough. I've made some bad choices.

I started my teenage years singing in churches across America, and finally wound up on a big stage.

I love being with my children. They're fascinating people.

Everybody's entitled to think whatever they want and to express that, but my personal day-to-day experience does not come into contact with any of those people.