I was a shy kid with a broom handle that I pretended was a microphone.

I decided to always sing in the back with the chorus and never went up front because I had trouble performing.

There's not much longevity in music today. It's so easy to go in, put some pretentious lyrics on, with people saying the same thing over and over and over.

A diva is someone who is a perfectionist, who does her best in her craft.

I truly respect the people who are working. If they want an autograph from Patti LaBelle, they are going to get it. I have never separated myself from them. I never think you are better than the next one.

I've never been with a woman, so I guess I'm straight, OK? But I'm straight enough to know the difference between right and wrong. I am straight enough to know that if you want to marry whoever you want to marry, you should be able to marry whoever you want to marry

I have to go 150 percent or nothing at all.