I've never been damaged or hurt by press. It's just that I think it's unfair to use your name in media.

The only recording studio was in Motown - it was called Tamla/Motown at that time and we used to audition there because Smokey Robinson was at that studio and Berry Gordy was the president. I remember asking Smokey to listen to my group and he did. For the first couple of years we were just singing background. We used to back up Marvin Gaye; Mary Wells was there then, Marv Johnson, the Marvelettes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Junior Walker and the All-Stars.

I don't care about vacations. I go away and I come back real quick because I like my work. I really like my work to consume me.

The first time I heard a Billie Holiday record, I thought, 'What's so great about Billie Holiday?'

It takes a long time to get to be a diva. I mean, you gotta work at it.

You know, you do need mentors, but in the end, you really just need to believe in yourself.

I listen to most everything that's out there because I need to stay aware of what's happening in the industry.