It's kind of condoned in our society: There are things that an abusive mate could get away with with their partner that they could not with a stranger.

I think that's the role of an artist, right? To touch someone and make us stretch out just a little bit more.

In an abusive relationship - we'll talk about men and women - women are often restrained, by words or out of fear, from leaving. They will tolerate abuse up to and including being put to death.

I just kind of tried to stay true to myself.

I just love music. I love all kinds of music, and I was exposed to it, me and my siblings, from the time we were in utero.

Once I started singing, I realized it was a language I'd forgotten I could speak.

To be up on stage and interacting with musicians, that was a huge epiphany for me.

Hey, maybe I can sing locally and earn a couple of bucks.

I've never been the type of singer that can sing in heels and the gown and all this stuff, because I can't get to where I want to go while I'm in that getup.

You have to be willing to look a certain way, and hold your body a certain way, until you get to where you want to go - I'm talking about musically, now.

There's a certain place you want to get to, and in order to do that, you have to be vulnerable.

Life is power, don’t abuse it.

Evolution is the reverberation of God's creative voice.

Do not risk your life for someone who does not care about you.

We made them drink poison last night and Saddam Hussein's soldiers and his great forces gave the Americans a lesson which will not be forgotten by history. Truly.

The dance lives in all mankind as a necessary motor-rhythmic expression of excess energy and the joy of living.

While it may not be a simple act, offering forgiveness not only has the power to heal relationships, it strengthens the well-being of those who give this life-changing gift.

Discount the obvious, bet on the unexpected

None of my friends are in the entertainment industry.

Actually, being what you are is the simplest. What is difficult is to stop being what you are not.

Whatever is formed for long duration arrives slowly to its maturity.