There's no second chance on stage, and I was trained to make the most of my first chance.

I shall always respect the composer. If I embellish, it is his idea I am embellishing.

During the presidential primaries of 1940, I received a request from the Democratic National Committee to sing God Bless America before the speeches.

There's no second chance on stage, and I was trained to make the most of my first chance.

I could see myself in a white nurse's uniform, working unnoticed for many years and at last dying, unknown, unmarried and unsung.

I have never known stage-fright at any time.

I vowed that whenever my family needed me, I would give up everything to go to them, no matter what. The show must go on was meaningless to me.