Nina Simone Quotes

Long before 'American Idol', people used to call me a diva. And I be like, 'Hold on, are you calling me something else on the sly? You gonna call me a diva, call me a good diva.'

I'm a chanteuse and a diva, and I'm an actress who likes a script.

That term's definitely got a negative aura to it, because people think a diva is somebody with an attitude who demands things all the time. Of course there is that type of diva, but my idea of a diva has always been a singer - whether male or female - who gets on that stage and captivates you with their presence and their voice.

If I had any talent that God could give me, I would be a great diva.

I do sing ballads, but I'm not a balladeer. I'm not the next Celine Dion.

I don't have the ability to be a diva. I can't flaunt. I don't have that kind of stage presence. I think of myself as just a band member.

I always imagined having so much energy on stage, versus me being somewhat chill, soulful R&B.

Really, each part, each one of us, I think, has our role, but I think for Joe, he really stands out and has that Mick Jagger-esque feel to him.

I've established this kind of wild persona and these redneck party songs and a live show that's kind of rowdy, but I don't want people to think that's what I'm all about.

By the time I was five, I was a little diva.

I do belong on stage.

It's weird but I've never really been the type to have fixations on the leading man actor. I've always been drawn more to the rock star. I love a guy on the microphone commanding an audience.

I'm Liberace without a piano.

Cyndi Lauper knows how to work a crowd.

Originally I considered myself a singer.

I don't think you should categorize yourself as an artist.

I'm no intellect. I'm no preacher. I'm an entertainer. And If I don't get up there and entertain people, I'm not giving them what they paid for.

I've always thought of myself as so unsuited to be a frontman.

I'm a normal guy at heart. But on stage, they don't pay me for normal.

If you are who you are on stage, people pay attention.

You've got your Justins who have all the back flipping dancers and stuff, and then you've got Lemar, and he totally moves you without having to do all of that, and he's gorgeous.

I really don't think of myself as a singer. I think of myself as an entertainer, and the best place I do it is onstage.

I watched Ali, studied Ali, and I studied Sugar Ray Robinson. I watched them display showmanship. I watched them use pizzazz, personality, and charisma. I took things from them and borrowed things from them because boxing is entertainment.

When I'm on stage, that's me. It's blown up, but that's me.

Iggy Pop has a voice that's somehow simultaneously self-mocking, wild, precise, amused, righteous, cool, contained and bold. I don't know how he does what he does.