If a song's about something I've experienced or that could've happened to me it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't lend anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about.

We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It's our basic human right.

I've been around long enough for people to know who I am and what my contributions are. They know me as more than just an artist. I think they know me as a woman as well.

My heart is still there in gospel music. It never left . . . I'm gonna make a gospel record and tell Jesus I cannot bear these burdens alone.

I think the hardest thing is losing weight. That's the hardest thing more than anything else.

Trying to grow up is hurting. You make mistakes. You try to learn from them, and when you don't, it hurts even more.

I was in my dad's church, his Baptist church, and I think the first song I ever performed was 'Jesus Be a Fence Around Me.'