One day I promised God that if he would give me my voice back I would never smoke again. I got three octaves back after quitting.

We've all been influenced by other people...If Minnie Riperton never existed, would I have even thought of singing in that (upper) register? I doubt it.

Stay triumphant, keep on living. Stay on your toes, get off the ropes. Don't let 'em ever count you out.

I'm far from perfect. I'm still learning. I overworked myself, and I paid the price. I consider the breakdown a breakthrough. I needed to hit rock bottom. I needed to understand the cost of pushing so hard; fighting so hard against the system.

I look around and see the things I have, and I remember not having them. That is one thing that keeps me grounded. I'm definitely the same person I was. . . . I never lose me, I never lose the real person.

My mother is Irish, my father is black and Venezuelan, and me - I'm tan, I guess.

I don't want a boyfriend just for the sake of it. I don't trust most people out there. There's too much at risk and I don't need to be a notch on somebody's bedpost. I'll flirt with you all night long, but then it's buh, bye!