Suzanne Collins Quotes

There's definitely a loneliness and, like, an internal element to being a performer.

I found at an early age the times when I learned the most about myself was when I got thrown out there on a stage in front of a microphone when you didn't really want to be out there, where you're kind of afraid.

Headlining can be sort of solitary - you're sort of on your own out there, and you start to feel for a change.

Not playing off of an audience is very challenging.

I think actually performing on stage when everyone's facing you and you're one person facing them, that is quite a lonely thing in a strange way. You have to be quite insular from everybody else, you've got thousands of people staring at you and you're just on your own.

It's quite a feeling to be all alone on the stage!

Being alone onstage is like legalized insanity.

Live performance is everything. First of all, I have terrible stage fright. But beyond that, once the music starts, it's OK.

If you can sing to a room of 60 people who don't give a damn, then if, someday, you're playing to people who really want to hear your music, that's not hard.

Everyone will clearly be a bit nervous and scared before going onstage. But what I do is just remember that this is my passion. Once I get on the stage and see everyone smiling and looking at me, the joy that it brings to me makes me forget all about my nerves.

I didn't used to do shows, because I used to be so shy. We'd perform, and I'd be at the back, thinking of another song. I was so shy, I ain't never getting in front of the camera; I would never get on stage.

Every time I step onto the stage, it's not only proving to the audience that I'm capable but to myself.

Going out and trying new stuff on an audience is a scary thing.

My dad was listening to me noodle around on the guitar in the house and sing, and he was like, 'Man, you're funny, and you sound good when you do that. You should do that at a bar.' I had stage fright, so I was like, 'No, Dad. Leave me alone.'

I remember my first ever gig in town, I was very nervous. I had a big red shiny face. But that all disappeared after 30 seconds and I settled down and got a great lift from that.

There are times you break up with a loved one, a friend, or whatever. You feel alone. It's a very easy feeling to understand - the feeling of loss, heartache, and pain.

I feel like my consignment and fear from people pushed me to become a performer.

I'd think the house was the source of great sadness or pressure. I knew it wasn't. I knew it was just where I lived. But I'd walk up the stairs and the second floor was just desolate. My old bedroom: empty. My old rehearsal room: empty. First floor studio: messy and empty. Middle room: broken gear everywhere.

One of the reasons that I needed to become an actor was that I didn't have any self-confidence.

Sometimes I might be sleepy, and sometimes I've literally been sleeping backstage, woken up, gone straight on stage or gone crazy. It's not like I psyche myself; I don't do any of that.

I don't feel like I'm the type of performer who's going to knock your socks off. I'm trying to get over my nerves.

I didn't think rap was me. But I was shy to sing in front of people. It'd be so off because I was shy.

I used to hate touring, I used to absolutely hate it! I think one of the reasons why was because in between songs I found it difficult to talk to the audience, and now I don't care, I say what I want!

I always imitated other people and thought, 'Well, maybe I'll do standup,' but I was too afraid for that.

I know I'm no glamour girl, and it's not easy for me to get up in front of a crowd of people. It used to bother me a lot, but now I've got it figured out that God gave me this talent to use, so I just stand there and sing.