When I played Lady Day, I took Aba onstage with me as a joke. He started singing—in tune!—and the audience loved it.

Eartha Kitt, when asked what tricks her poodle did.

Having my animals or my children with me exorcises that feeling of not being wanted.

I never identified with anybody. I have always been very sensitive about my color, because everybody called me 'yellow gal.' I was caught in between both sides - nobody wanted me. I love that my audience is there, but I always feel as though I have to fend for myself.

The public has become my fairy godmother.

I'm an orphan. But the public has adopted me, and that has been my only family. The biggest family in the world is my fans.

Don't depend on other people to be responsible for you. Don't make yourself stressed out over nonsensical things like material things.