We're all driven to premieres or nightclubs and seen the rope separating those who can enter and those who can't. Well, there's also a velvet rope we have inside of us, keeping others from knowing our feelings.

To say we know a person is to write that person off.

I'm convinced that we black women possess a special indestructible strength that allows us to not only get down, but the get up, to get through, and to get over.

All those songs reflect all the people that live within me.

People tend to put entertainers on pedestals. We're human beings, just like you. You may see us smiling, and whether we have money or not, we still have bills to pay, we still have our stresses. I think a lot of people want to focus on others' shortcomings to make themselves feel better. And it's a very sad thing.

In complete darkness we are all the same, it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you.