I lived on the north side of Detroit. Right down the street from me there was a young man by the name of Smokey Robinson. I was very proud to live down the street from him because he was our only celebrity in town. He was singing with the Miracles.

I think that if my voice for some reason changes - because your voice does change - then it's time for me not to sing.

My problem is that people have been writing books about me.A lot of things that people write about you are incorrect, but you don't fight about it.

A reporter once asked me if I ever cried. I wonder if people think I'm just as hard as a rock and have no emotions at all.

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

I look forward to the future - and going into the studio to make new music.

I use Jimmy Galanos gowns for real special occasions and things - television, special occasions where I know I'm being filmed. But I never really wear his gowns on stage. My stage gowns are more costumey. There's different levels of things that I wear.I would never wear my stage gowns to a party.