I'm still standing up there tall and strong every night that I perform.

I'm very shy in a crowd.

I'm very spontaneous.

When I was married, I wasn't loving myself. Now I'm in love with myself. I will get married again.

Women are dominating the charts, and women are doing it for themselves. We're kicking butt and taking no prisoners.

You've got to know business before you go to show business.

I think the race situation is getting better as far as people respecting each other goes. I think the race situation with entertainment is not that much better.

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 had 60 years of ups and downs, and all of the downs that I've had, I'm happy that I've had them because it's taught me to appreciate all the ups.

Whenever I go out, so many people who respect me ask me what to do in a certain situation. A lot of times, I didn't know the answers because sometimes I was going through the same sort of thing. But then later on, I would think of things that people told me.

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.

So if diva means giving your best, then yes, I guess I am a diva.

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

I don't feel as though I have to prove anything to anybody.

I want to be remembered as a woman who was fair and always gave 150 percent, no matter what I did.

People with no humor, they're outta my life.

You don't have to be an angel, just be someone who can give.

I have to go 150 percent or nothing at all.

I know how to put it on when it comes to interviews and performing because I have to. But I'm pretty laid back.

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