- There is no truth to the rumors that we hate each other. I have no ill feeling for ['Britney Spears' (qv)] and vice versa. I am proud of all the achievements she has made in her career, she is a very hard-working person. I have nothing but love for her.
- [about 'Eminem' (qv)'s lyrics in "The Real Slim Shady" which contained sexual references about her] It's disgusting and offensive and above all it's not true.
- [About singing the remake of "Lady Marmalade" with 'Pink (I)' (qv), 'Mya (I)' (qv) and 'Kimberly 'Lil' Kim' Jones' (qv).] It's the closest I ever got to being in a girl group.
- I like to be edgy, I like to be different. I'm a little bit of rebel.
- [After winning an MTV Award for the video, "Lady Marmalade", shared with singers 'Mya (I)' (qv), 'Pink (I)' (qv) and 'Kimberly 'Lil' Kim' Jones' (qv)] The big hair paid off!
- It's funny how society places such strict standards upon young blonde females. We're supposed to play the clean-cut view the public wants of us. But I am not your little cookie-cutter virgin.
- It's human nature to have a sexual side.
- I think that whatever size or shape body you have, it's important to embrace it and get down! The female body is something that's so beautiful. I wish women would be proud of their bodies and not dis other women for being proud of theirs!
- You can take it or leave it, but I'm not going to change, not for anyone.
- It's been quite a roller-coaster ride, But I think I've grown and learned a lot about myself. In this business, it's often all about hype, record sales, and a crazy schedule of traveling, performances, and it can be easy to get lost in all that. But for me, the greatest thing is being able to interact with fans and touch peoples' lives. I know that's a greater accomplishment than selling records. For that I give thanks. I simply love the job I'm doing.
- Hold your head high and sway your hips when you walk!
- Power is making a statement about who you are.
- My parents divorce and hard times at school, all those things combined to mold me, to make me grow up quicker. And it gave me the drive to pursue my dreams that I woundn't necessarily have had otherwise.
- I have grown up now and have no need to dress like that anymore. I want my music to speak for me rather than the dress or lack of dresses I wore.
- Confidence is the hugest thing - once you exude that, guys catch on.
- [pn why she wrote the song "I'm OK", which is her take on her father Fausto Aguilera's abusive behavior before her parents separated] It is such a hush-hush topic because it happens in the home. I definitely wrote that song not to badmouth him at all, but one, for a healing process for myself, and two, to give people hope or a voice to relate to. To know that you can get through it and that it will be OK.
- Be a strong female - don't be afraid of the flack that goes along with that.
- Obviously, all the positives are very flattering and being compared to ['Mariah Carey' (qv)], and I get a lot of ['Britney Spears' (qv)] comparisons as well, and she's extremely talented, but we are two different artists and even when I'm doing radio interviews and stuff they want to ask me very personal questions about her and you have to be a little protective of yourself and what you say because there are so many people wanting to get you to say things and pulling you in so many directions.
- My inspiration, I've had many, again, starting with 'Julie Andrews (I)' (qv) at a young age. But, growing up, I sang 'Whitney Houston' (qv) songs in talent shows. But, when I discovered 'Mariah Carey' (qv) and "Vision Of Love", that was a breath of fresh air and I adored her from that moment on and idolized her. It's really amazing that in articles I've been compared to her. It's truly unbelievable because, whenever I was younger, I would ask my mom, "Do you think I'll ever be as big and sing as well as Mariah Carey?" And now that it has happened, my mom says, "I knew it would happen".
- I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing clothes that covered my entire body.
- [on her childhood] I never really had this father figure, which never bothered me. I had my mom, I had people that did love me and care for me.
- [on not having her father to walk her down the aisle at her wedding] I'm a performer. I can totally walk myself down the aisle. I just realized it would be really nice to have that male protector in your life, to have felt that your entire life, and to have that one person give you away to the next man that's going to take care of you.
- [on having kids with her husband of one year, Jordan Bratman] In five years time I'd probably like to start thinking about a child.
- Scrapbooking - I just love it! I could sit on the floor for weeks and put together collages, keepsakes and photos."
- [about 'Sade (I)' (qv)]: When it comes to sexy, smooth, elegant R+B music, Sade IS the standard. I can't wait to hear her new work.
- I felt caged by my childhood. And unsafe: Bad things happened in my home; there was violence. _The Sound of Music (1965)_ (qv) looked like a form of release. I would open my bedroom window to sing out like Maria. In my own way, I'd be in those hills. Sometimes, I still feel like going to the window and singing out all my troubles.
- [on her emotional state preceding the recording of 'Stripped']: People betrayed me and I had a really hard time. That, along with what I'd been through with my family and my father and hard times at school meant I was knocked down. It was too much and I felt I'd been through the wringer - I was like a punch bag. I think talking to people is important and my family have helped me through it. I'd definitely be open to going to a therapist. I went when I was younger. But making this record ('Stripped') has been therapeutic. It's a tough record, it's personal and it's made me feel vulnerable. It's honest. Emotionally I've laid myself bare - it's what's in my heart. I've been writing a lot of poems and I wanted to disappear from the public eye and live life for a minute. I didn't want to play it safe.
- People spend money on beauty potions, but a good night's rest makes all the difference.
- [on her fluctuating weight/weight gain and body] I've been on all spectrums. I've been in this (business) for a long time. I came out on the scene when I was 17 years old. You can never be too much of anything. You can never be too perfect, too thin, too curvy, voluptuous this, that. I've been on all sides of the spectrum as far as any female in this business. You got to be a strong, powerful, very confident woman. Women, we are definitely under a microscope and under massive scrutiny. As long as I am happy in my own skin, that is all the confirmation I need. I have a boyfriend that loves my body. I love my body, my son is healthy and happy and that is all that matters.
- [on her fluctuating weight] I've been through my highs, I've been through my lows; I've been through the gamut of all things in this business. Being too thin. Being bigger. I've been criticized for being on both sides of the scale. It's noise I block out automatically.
- I have certain physical features that I favor over others. We all have our areas. When I worked on Burlesque, I lost so much weight that I was too skinny. I don't weigh myself - it's all about how I feel in my clothes. What looks good on one person might not look good on another body type. I happen to be very confident in my own skin. It takes time to get to that place, but it's all about embracing yourself and your body.
- It's hard not having the consistency of a partnership on a daily basis. It's a struggle. But I can't single out my ex-husband [as the problem] because he's a devoted father and great with my son. We always make sure that we put Max first. I have help from family and good people around me in support of my career. I couldn't do what I do without a strong team behind me.
- (on some people saying she is not Latina enough) I've dealt with that my whole life. I don't speak the language fluently. And I'm split right down the middle, half Irish and half Ecuadorian. I should not have to prove my ethnicity to anyone. I know who I am.
- When my son Max looked at me and said, 'Mommy, you look so pretty,' was a mommy moment I will never forget.
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