I am able to stay humble because I recognize that God has truly blessed me; I can't say that enough. I also understand without Him, all of this wouldn't be possible.

I just want to create amazing music that speaks and defines who I am. I want it to be based on my life and/or what I am going through at that specific time.

I love music; I was never the type of singer to say, "This is my specific genre, or I only sing R&B music." I feel like as a singer, you should be limitless and you shouldn't be stuck in a box.

My husband, children, and my family are my biggest supporters. I just pray to God to keep my family and I aligned at all times, and I just remember where it all got started before show business.

I just have to give credit when it's due because there are some things that took place in my life that I couldn't explain at all.

As you're learning your lines and the character you're playing, you're going to make mistakes but I learned more about Shug Avery. I learned my lines, but everything had to be done quickly.

Some of the songs have a tinge more pop this time. I wanted to go into different worlds.

My husband is very supportive and is there for the kids, especially when I'm in projects such as The Color Purple.

I am working on a list for collaborations and it's just another way to share your artistic talent with other artist.

I had to get used to the theater atmosphere because I haven't had a role on Broadway since Aida. It was a different process from day one because I was learning my parts by myself.

I like to think about the quality, content, and concept for my music because I think these are the most important things and it just molds everything together.

But this will not do, God will certainly punish you for stealing and for being unfaithful.

It seems essential, in relationships and all tasks, that we concentrate only on what is most significant and important.

A YA heroine does not have to pick up a weapon nor wear men's clothing to be equal to her male counterparts.

We have to take the guns away from these people that have them and they are bad people that shouldn't have them.

The imprimatur of truthfulness does not guarantee truthfulness. People should know better. But they don't.

Making a mistake is falling down; failure is not getting up again.

No one ever went broke by taking a profit.

Unless you got a really good reason, you should be nice.

I try to work all over the canvas at once, because I feel that the forces of nature are unpredictable.

I am quite sensitive to politics, because you know, as an Arab, an Iraqi, all your life, you are very conscious of it.