I am really proud that I am one of the artists that has the opportunity to be on magazine covers and to be in the movies.

I felt very maternal around eight months. And I thought I couldn't become any more until I saw the baby... But it happened during my labor because I had a very strong connection with my child. I felt like when I was having contractions, I envisioned my child pushing through a very heavy door. And I imagined this tiny infant doing all the work, so I couldn't think about my own pain... We were talking. I know it sounds crazy, but I felt a communication.

I think it's healthy for a person to be nervous. It means you care.

My mom has always told me that beauty fades but inner beauty is forever. There's nothing more beautiful than a woman [who] takes care of [herself].

Imperfections make you more beautiful.

I wrote "Bootylicious" because, at the time, I’d gained some weight and the pressure that people put you under, the pressure to be thin, is unbelievable. I was just 18 and you shouldn’t be thinking about that. You should be thinking about building up your character and having fun and the song was just telling everyone just forget what people are saying. You’re bootylicious. That’s all. It’s a celebration of curves and a celebration of women’s bodies.

I'm a human being and I fall in love and sometimes I don't have control of every situation.