Top 30 Diana Ross Quotes

Instead of looking at the past, I put myself ahead twenty years and try to look at what I need to do now in order to get there then.

So I’m not worried about the emotions I carry with me, because I’m happy that I have them; I think it’s good for the work I do. The emotions that are not healthy are the ones you hold inside, like anger.

You see, I’ve never really studied acting.

I don’t judge people by their sexual orientation or the color of their skin, so I find it really hard to identify someone by saying that they’re a gay person or a black person or a Jewish person.

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 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.

It takes a long time to get to be a diva. I mean, you gotta work at it.

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.

One thing you cannot control is nature.

I’m a dreamer.

My father worked hard, but we were still very poor; and I didn’t want anybody arguing about money, so I became the entertainer – the one who wanted everyone to be happy. I didn’t want there to be any problems.

It has always been, and still is, my intention to build a playground in Central Park.

I majored in fashion design in school, and I have always wanted to design my own line of clothing, jewelry, and stuff like that; so this was just a step for me in that direction.

I listen to most everything that’s out there because I need to stay aware of what’s happening in the industry.

I was looking at making a shift in my career. I’ve been so blessed I’d like to be able to give that back. If I could find young artists, young performers I can nurture to have a career I would really like that.

I think a responsibility comes with notoriety, but I never think of it as power. It’s more like something you hold, like grains of sand. If you keep your hand closed, you can have it and possess it, but if you open your fingers in any way, you can lose it just as quickly.

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 don’t have to sit around and wait for the next movie to come along, I can go out and sing.

When we first began, we didn’t have any hits.

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

You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.

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

I think that if my voice for some reason changes – because your voice does change – then it’s time for me not to sing.

I want an autobiography without revealing any personal information.

The first time I heard a Billie Holiday record, I thought, ‘What’s so great about Billie Holiday?’

I don’t think getting in and out of a limousine has anything to do with being an icon.

I look forward to the future – and going into the studio to make new music.

I’m not really a songwriter – I’m an interpreter. So in a sense I am an actress first and foremost. I act out the songs, and I lead with my heart.

Icon. What is an icon? When someone is iconic it means they have established a certain kind of legacy possibly, and I think it does come with time. It’s something in the arts, I feel. Maybe not, maybe it doesn’t have to be in the arts exactly. I’m not really sure. But I don’t think you are born an icon.