When I was twelve, the biggest name in Rock and Roll was Elvis Presley. I bought an EP, "King Creole". I hid it in the basement, but my mother found it.

Elvis Presley is my spiritual father, and as you may know Maria Callas is my spiritual mother.

It was just as shocking for me to sing opera in a falsetto soprano in Germany.

A man without makeup is like a cake without icing.

I want to accomplish my work and fulfill my dreams, and do something with my life, and I hope I'll be able to accomplish it. It's very much work, but I like it.

I do kind of transcend the song and give it a different meaning.

People do accuse me of being just decorative or an escapist - well I am. That's what I do. I am other things as well. I transcend the song and give it a different meaning.