Historically, in my generation, all of my heroes and heroines have had issues and problems. We all do.

Time has nothing to do with the gifts that the gods give you; it's what you do.

I have as many pictures of my vocal cords as I do of my children. I have a great ear, nose and throat doctor, and we look at them - if there's some redness, maybe I'll take a little time off.

I don't let people use me. That's why I like a small number of people in my life. The more people in my life, the more complex it becomes, so I just try to keep it at a minimum.

I'm used to getting up at 7, getting breakfast, getting the kids off to school, and doing the mommy thing and the wife thing and the daughter thing.

I'd love to be the political voice of my generation, but that's not my gift.

I used to sing at funeral homes for families that didn't have a vocalist. I didn't get paid. I needed to sing.