Pop Singers

"It takes a village of strong people, a lot of healthy discourse, and a lot of group chats, I'm excited when I look around music today, and I see all the amazing young artists who are operating with confidence, agency, vulnerability and authenticity. I’ve heard a lot of, ‘Do this, don’t say that, wear less, wear more now. Hey, don’t cut your hair.’ One of the biggest reasons I’m standing here right now is I learned how to block out all the noise that every single artist in this industry has to constantly fight against, especially women. I just wanna say with my whole heart, do whatever it takes to stay true to yourself and true to your art."

"But that’s part of a lot of people’s stories, whether they are famous or not. There is sacrifice. You know, heavy is the head that wears the crown. I put that in one of my songs—‘Heavy is the head that wears the crown, don’t let the greatness get you down.’ Sometimes, it can be an extreme pressure, but really, it’s an opportunity. I try and have a positive outlook."

"What holds me up is focus and determination, and this incredible ambition that just hasn’t subsided yet."

"I was inspired by Madonna’s documentary “Truth or Dare.” I loved her documentary and I loved seeing it, because I wasn’t exposed to anything like that, really, when I was growing up. For instance, I want to watch the first “Alien” film, because I want to see “Prometheus,” and I haven’t seen the first one. I wasn’t allowed to watch or hear or be exposed to a lot of different pop culture moments in the ‘80s and ‘90s, when I was a kid, because of my upbringing."

"Yes, they came on the road and they shot everything—they were there for probably eight months out of the whole year, and they had over 300 hours of footage. Then, we started taking swings at the idea of making a movie and reached out to a bunch of people – it was a long process. We took it to different studios, and Paramount really latched onto the idea, and they’ve been great partners. We’re so in-synch and we wanted the same thing, and it’s been incredible. And in the movie industry, the summertime is really important. They’re putting it out on such an important weekend, and it’s very exciting – I have Christmas Eve jitters. I’m very excited about it, and people seem to be responding to it in a very positive way."

"I think we’re all blessed with gifts and I was lucky I just found out what mine was early on and have planted that seed and tried to water it every day."

"We filmed that at the Staples Center for two nights with these new 3D cameras that hadn’t been used before—or, at least they hadn’t been used for this type of thing—and the texture is so beautiful. The slow motion shots are great – and I love that we can bring that to this type of film, because it adds some gorgeous nuances and detail. There are a lot different textures in the film that we use to tell the story, because there is a lot of backstory. Overall, I’m very happy with it, and I’m happy with the narrative."

"If there had been a problem on the set, they would have said it to me at the outset. We had many different options."

"There were some moments that made my tummy turn when I saw them in the final edit, because I’d already lived them and I really didn’t want to live them again,But I thought maybe if I shared that I got through the problem, other people wouldn’t feel so alone in their problems. We all go through a lot of the same things and it’s not about the problem but about how you solve it. The theme of the whole movie for me is about overcoming obstacles."

"Oh my gosh. I did that all on my first day of my period, too. Can you believe it? Thank you so much to MTV for believing in my weirdness from day one and for helping artists extend their worlds beyond a song. There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no decade-long accidents. So I would like to acknowledge a few people: my team who have been with me for over 20 years, direct management, and my label Capitol Records."

"I'm up to my hairline in planning. It's a lot, especially when you're a woman of detail."

"I always knew I wanted a great man of God, someone who was going to be an inspiration for people and also be a lovely husband and father, We're at different places in our lives, but we can still grow together. He's thought-provoking, articulate, a real advocate. I also definitely wanted to have a laugh. I have all that in him."

"I'm a good girl because I really believe in love, integrity, and respect. I'm a bad girl because I like to tease. I know that I have sex appeal in my deck of cards. But I like to get people thinking. That's what the stories in my music do."

"I have multipersonality disorder—in a very good way, of course—when it comes to my fashion choices,When I first started playing around with my look, it was more of a Dita Von Teese pinup thing."

"I'm not defined by where I came from. I never took part in the rules and hatred that sometimes go along with religion. But if my parents are happy with what they believe, then I'm happy to stay out of their way. We agree to disagree."

"I had this lump in my throat, but I couldn't even cry. I thought, I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. I was just sitting there in my car that I was two months behind on payments for, knowing I didn't have money for rent."

"We're all unique. That's why we all win and we all can exist. People don't want just vanilla. They want 31 flavors. I couldn't do what Rihanna does. I couldn't do what Gaga does. They can't do what I do."

"This is a really important time in my life. I can't just be the girl who sang 'I Kissed a Girl.' I have to leave a legacy."

"I remember really vividly kneeling by my bed as a nine-year-old, saying my prayers and asking God to give me boobs that were so big that if I laid on my back I wouldn’t be able to see my feet."

"You know, sometimes you can be blinded by your extreme emotions. I definitely was looking for answers, during that time when I wrote that song, and yeah, I was depressed and sad, and there were thoughts, but there were never actions, thankfully. But I wanted to share that side of my story, because I know there are so many other people out there that have gone through things like that, and you always feel like you're the only one going through that. You walk out the door, and you see someone you know, and they ask you how you are, and you just have to say you're fine when you're not really fine, but you just can't get into it because they would never understand. Well, then comes along a song that speaks to you, that makes you feel like "Gosh, I can get through this. If she can get through this, I can get through this"."

"I gave myself until I turned 25 to make it. And if it didn't happen, I thought I'd just try to find a nice husband."

"I had really bad back problems and was a little bit thicker. Then I grew up and lost the baby fat and said, 'Hey, this isn't all that bad."

"Trust me, it takes a village of strong people, a lot of healthy discourse, and a lot of group chats. My parents and my family, the deepest roots I know. We don’t always agree, but what a lesson that those disagreements can still be full of love. Thank you to MySpace, Warped Tour, and all the bygone places where I found a voice, identity, and a community so early on. Thank you to the friends that were there when my Jetta was repossessed. My Katy Cats: You stood by me for a lifetime, and the LGBTQ community who I recognize I would not be here without and who show me that you can be both kind and [bleeped out]. Thank you to Orlando for keeping me grounded, celebrated, and doing the dishes. And lastly for my Daisy, the only flowers I’ll ever need."

"I was like, I don't know if I can hold that promise [to wait until marriage to have sex with kane tod] because this guy at camp is really cute. Sex wasn't talked about in my home, but I was a very curious young girl."

"I’m excited when I look around music today, and I see all the amazing young artists who are operating with confidence, agency, vulnerability and authenticity. I’ve heard a lot of “Do this, don’t say that, wear less, wear more now. Hey, don’t cut your hair.” One of the biggest reasons I’m standing here right now is I learned how to block out all the noise that every single artist in this industry has to constantly fight against, especially women. I just wanna say with my whole heart, do whatever it takes to stay true to yourself and true to your art. Turn off social media, safeguard your mental health, pause, touch grass. And do what you were born to do just like I was born to do this. 143 comes out September 20. I love you!"

"Susan Boyle is the ugly duckling who didn't need to turn into a swan; she has fulfilled the dreams of millions who, downtrodden by the cruelty of a culture that judges them on their appearance, have settled for life without looking in the mirror. This is a huge constituency, and it is weary of being disparaged. Women need an avenging force like Susan Boyle. No matter how brave, strong or resourceful they are, they get punished for not being glamorous; for being ordinary; careworn. At best they are treated as if they are invisible, at worst they are regarded as freaks. Which is what the TV audience did with Ms Boyle until she started to sing."

"I can remember the moment she first opened her lips perfectly. We were at a big theatre in Glasgow, 3000 people were laughing their heads off, Simon and Amanda were stifling a chuckle, and then she started to sing. And I can honestly say it was one of the most extraordinary moments in my perhaps equally unlikely career as a talent show judge. Because Susan Boyle is not just a good singer, she’s a fantastic singer. Someone whose stunning range, tone and delivery is worthy of comparison to anyone — Elaine Paige included. As I watched her performance back again last night, I texted Simon in Hollywood: ‘My god, Susan was even better than I remembered — she’s unbelievable.’ He agreed, and I could almost feel his beady little eyes going ‘KERCHING!’ down the line from his new Beverly Hills mansion."

"I'm trying to be a professional singer. … I've never been given the chance before. But here's hoping it'll change."

"Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances. There is not much you can do about it; it is the way they think; it is the way they are. But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example."

"It was nerve-racking to begin with but once I started and the audience accepted it I relaxed. It has been surreal. I didn’t realise this would be the reaction I just got on with it. I can hardly remember what happened. I had my eyes closed most of the time. It really didn’t dawn on me what was happening. I did it all for my late mum. I wanted to show I could do something with my life."

"It was a very emotional night. It goes quiet when Susan sings, it always does. She always has that effect."

"I am so thrilled — because I know that everybody was against you. I honestly think that we were all being very cynical — and I think that's the biggest wake up call ever, and I just want to say that it was a complete privilege listening to that."

"Without a doubt that was the biggest surprise I've had in three years on the show."

"Ladies, your self-worth is like your price tag. If he's not offering what your worth, he can't have you. No bargains, no sales."

"My life is great because I made it that way. Anything other than happiness doesn't get a pass key."

"A business tip, you never know who's having "pillow talk" with one another. Watch what u say, who u say it to, & WHO u talk about."

"Having Plan B is good. But if your obsessed with Plan A, u'll never need backup. Become Obsessed with ur goals, ur focus will bring results."

"Just because we fall and slip up at times, doesn't mean it should define who we are. We fail. We're humans. It's how we heal wounds that count."

"What's a victory when its hollow?"

"When you learn to listen to your gutt, your find all the answers."

"The music game is more than just my love for singing, its a sport for me."

"When you live your life acting upon your deepest intuitions, no decision you ever make in life will be feared or a risk."

"Let Life Live."

"Your environment will become you. Surround yourself with people who have the same dream as you, who have accomplished what you want & more."

"How you play, is how you'll be remembered. Go Hard, follow your heart or be forgotten."

"Ego & Hype have no place in business."

"Sometimes your friends take you ten steps backwards for every step you take forward. Sometimes misplaced loyalty ruins your destiny."

"Live your life as if you are writing your Biography."

"A fool will seek revenge, the wise man will allow God's karma."

"What you believe in, is the life you decide."