[on her song, "The World Is Falling Down"] I don't know why anybody would give that up. I wouldn't. Makes my life worthwhile.
Her relationship with Max Roach: It wasn't a dream of mine to be a star, so Max came along at the right time to help save me from myself. Otherwise, I would have become an alcoholic and unhappy.
[In 1993]: I've done what I please, told people to bug off and exercised my independence.
[In 1993 interview about her image makeover]: This dress was more important than I was. People in the audience were looking at my exposed breasts and the shape of my body, and it didn't have nothing to do with the music.