Diana Ross

The first time I heard a Billie Holiday record, I thought, 'What's so great about Billie Holiday?'

I want an autobiography without revealing any personal information.

People don't know about the human part of me that really cares about the world. For instance, I don't know what I feel about wearing my furs anymore. I worked so hard to have a fur coat, and I don't want to wear it anymore because I'm so wrapped up in the animals. I have real deep thoughts about it because I care about the world and nature.

I think that if my voice for some reason changes - because your voice does change - then it's time for me not to sing.

It has always been, and still is, my intention to build a playground in Central Park.

I even thought of adopting a child as a single mother.

I'd traveled a lot, was going temporarily insane and became very successful, but there was no one to take that all home to.

I keep a great organiser, I try to keep my priorities in the right place.

If I'm with a man I'm soft and buttery.

I don't think getting in and out of a limousine has anything to do with being an icon.

Being a parent is very important to me.

I listen to most everything that's out there because I need to stay aware of what's happening in the industry.

I just appreciate still having the longevity that I've had in my career.

I look forward to the future - and going into the studio to make new music.

It's the first time I have returned to my roots - like going back to be a trio. The fans really wanted me to go back on stage and do the Supremes music, so I went about trying to make it happen. We'll go on tour in the summer.

With the Supremes I made so much money so fast all I wanted to do was buy clothes and pretty things. Now I'm comfortable with money and it's comfortable with me.

Criticism, even when you try to ignore it, can hurt. I have cried over many articles written about me, but I move on and I don't hold on to that .

I'm a parent, and I try to take care of my health and keep my life in order. In the last few years I've really had to decide what's important to me, and it seems to me that my family and my health are top on the list. And those have nothing to do with show business.

I majored in fashion design in school, and I have always wanted to design my own line of clothing, jewelry, and stuff like that; so this was just a step for me in that direction.

I'm not really a songwriter - I'm an interpreter. So in a sense I am an actress first and foremost. I act out the songs, and I lead with my heart.