I'm a singer who thinks like a rapper.

I'm my worst critic, and I like the fact that I can listen to myself now and make fun of myself, listen, make changes - 'Oh, man, that's messed up. Okay, I need to work on that; I need to work on this.'

I’ve done well, I’ve been disappointed, and I think it all goes back to you. Of course the labels are going to be the labels. It’s the music business. You are a business. That’s what they do. So you’ve got to protect yourself.

There are people out there who want to provoke me and bring back the old Mary but I'm not giving them the satisfaction.

We are all spirits. We get depressed. But music makes you want to live. I know my music has saved my life.

One day I realized that I wasn't getting anywhere by blaming other people for my circumstances. I finally understood: Even if you feel someone has wronged you or owes you something, no one is going to give you anything for free.

Don't go a full day or night without washing your face. You have to get all the dirt and makeup out of your pores.