When I decided to be a singer, my mother warned me I'd be alone a lot. Basically we all are. Loneliness comes with life.

I've never felt like this in any other country. I feel at home, I feel wonderful

In grammar school some of the girls had problems with me. My face was too light. My hair was too long. It was the black-consciousness period, and I felt really bad.

Growing around great musicians, you just can't help it. I identified with it immediately. It was something that was so natural to me that when I started singing, it was almost like speaking.

I'm an old-fashioned girl. And I love gospel. I like things that lift me up, inspire me.

I decided long ago never to walk in anyone's shadow; if I fail, or if I succeed at least I did as I believe.

I would stay in my room for days, for days at times, just trying to get it together, to know what my next phase was going to be.