Quotes By Patti LaBelle

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

I decided to always sing in the back with the chorus and never went up front because I had trouble performing.

I'm very spontaneous.

I keep showing decade after decade that I am a real performer.

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

People with no humor, they're outta my life.

Women are dominating the charts, and women are doing it for themselves. We're kicking butt and taking no prisoners.

I'm 60, and I did 60-year-old women songs. I'm not trying to be the Hip-Hop Queen, although I am the original Hip Hop Queen.

I never thought I would be singing for the world.

I love Canadians because I don't see very much racism in Canada.

When I look into the crowd, I see young and old, black and white - it's amazing that I'm able to connect with so many different kinds of people.

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 just sing the stuff that makes me smile, makes me feel like I didn't sell myself out.

I'm very shy in a crowd.

I have to go 150 percent or nothing at all.

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'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.

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.

You don't have to be an angel, just be someone who can give.

I'm so grounded, it's sad.

I'm no different than you.

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

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

I was very shy. I'm still shy.

I'll perform all the way to the grave.

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

A diva is someone who is a perfectionist, who does her best in her craft.

You've got to know business before you go to show business.