Patti LaBelle

I clean my house, although I have help. I'm on the floor getting spots. I can't stand a dirty house. I'm a cleaning fanatic.

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

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

I'm so grounded, it's sad.

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.

I never wanted to go on stage alone because if you mess up, who can you blame?

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

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

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'll perform all the way to the grave.

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

I have to go 150 percent or nothing at all.

I'm very shy in a crowd.

I was very shy. I'm still shy.

I can't do some of the songs that younger girls like Mary J. Blige and Beyonce are doing. They have their own place and I have my own place.

I never thought I would be singing for the world.

I was a shy kid with a broom handle that I pretended was a microphone.

So if anybody wants to get me something, get me 60 crabs - one for each year. I don't want no diamonds, I don't want no shoes, I don't want no party. I want some crabs.

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.