Diana Ross

I was brought up in this part of Detroit that they used to call the ghetto.

They tell me that it will be hard to find a man strong enough to love my own strength and independence, and not worry about being Mr. Diana Ross, but I disagree. I know absolutely that that man is somewhere out there.

I'm a parent, and I try to take care of my health and keep my life in order. In the last few years I've really had to decide what's important to me, and it seems to me that my family and my health are top on the list. And those have nothing to do with show business.

I try to choose the songs that really are basically coming from my heart. I think that through the songs that I select, people know what's going on in my life.

My life has often been described as 'from rags to riches,' but in fact, the Rosses were never raggedy.

Years ago I wanted to buy an apartment in New York City. I was a single female - I had gone through my divorce - I had three children, I was in show business and black. It was, like, impossible.

I know that my fans want to know who I'm sleeping with, but it's really none of their business.

My travels led me to where I am today. Sometimes these steps have felt painful, difficult, but led me to greater happiness and opportunites.

I have three girls, and I say the same thing to them. I'm not involved in their careers because I've learned that it's important for them to stand on their own two feet. They'll feel better and prouder of themselves if they do.

I learned something from that. If someone asks me something that I really don't want to do, I say no. I have to trust that. And I'm not afraid to talk money.

I even thought of adopting a child as a single mother.

My family called me a wiggle tail because I was a little skinny, wiry kid full of energy.