Whenever I do my live shows, I feel artistically inspired and excited because I get to do and say a lot of things that I can't if I just make a record. A lot of times it's the only way people are going to hear my music because you don't get to have your music played on Top 40 if you're above the age of 35.

I sometimes think I was born to live up to my name. How could I be anything else but what I am having been named Madonna? I would either have ended up a nun or this.

I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.

For me, it's all about being in a tiny room with little windows. It's almost like you have to be in a prison.

No one knows you better than you know yourself. Do the thing you want. Don't wait for someone else

Once you start turning over rocks and reaching out to help people, there's a whole avalanche coming right behind it. And it seems never-ending. But when you see the fruits of your labor, you feel like it's possible.

I think you can be defiant and rebellious and still be strong and positive.