When I look into the crowd, I see young and old, black and white - it's amazing that I'm able to connect with so many different kinds of people.

I always have to go that extra mile, and I do it and I don't mind doing it, but it isn't fair.

Here's the thing about faith: It gives us the strength to go on when we want to give in. It gives us the courage to get up when we want to lie down. It gives us the power to make a way out of no way when there ain't no way. Just as love can't make you strong until love has made you weak, well, faith can't lift you up until life has knocked you down. With faith or without it, we can't stop the waves. But with it, we don't need to. Because with it we can ride the surf.

I like hip-hop music, but some of the lyrics make me want to cry.

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.

All I can tell you really is if you get to the point where someone is telling you that you are not great or not good enough, just follow your heart and don't let anybody crush your dream.

I was very shy. I'm still shy.