Quotes

[on her Dreamgirls (2006) role] I never gave up hope of playing Effie. They would talk to me and then look at other people and then come back to me... but I always had the faith. I had to separate myself from the process and not think about it too much or I'd go crazy.

I just tried to live in the moment and be natural, as if there were no cameras there. Maybe it's because I felt like singing and acting are related. When you're singing you have to sell it. You act out that song; you have to know the meaning and purpose of it. I let that guide me.

I don't do clubs. I don't drink. I don't smoke.

In a recent interview, I was asked how I reconciled being a Christian with performing at events for my gay fans. I find it upsetting that some folks equate being a Christian with being intolerant of gay people. That may, unfortunately, be true for some, but it is not true for me. I have talked often of my love and support of the gay community. I have said again and again that it was the gay community that supported me long before and long after American Idol (2002), and kept me working and motivated. It is the gay community that celebrated my voice and my size and my personality long before Dreamgirls (2006). Yes, I was raised Baptist. Yes, I was taught that the Bible has certain views on homosexuality. The Bible also teaches us not to judge. It teaches us to love one another as God loves us all. I love my sister, my two best friends and my director dearly. They happen to be gay. So what? While some search for controversy, I hope that my friends and fans who know me, know where I stand.

I have a serious shopping problem now. Each city we go to, my suitcase won't hold the new clothes, so we have to box them up and ship them home.

Growing up, when we would get gym shoes, my brother and sister would get the name brands. But I said, "I don't need a name brand. With me wearing it, it makes it special by itself.".

[on American Idol (2002)] The first series, I wasn't so interested. It was summer, I wanted to be outside. But my mother was on at me: "You should watch this". To start with I was like, "Whatever", but when Kelly Clarkson won the first series I was literally nauseous. I realized it could be for real. I was beating myself up that I didn't go and audition. When season two came around I had started working for the Disney Cruise Line and that was a given, whereas "Idol" was a gamble. So I stuck with what I had. I used the ship experience to test myself. When I got off the ship two days later I went to audition for "American Idol". That's when the ball started rolling.

I sometimes think the only constant is my voice. That hasn't gone away.

[on her song "Moan", written in her mother's memory] Mom would always tell us if you are hurting, moan and you will feel better. That's the title of the song. There is not a day that goes by when I don't repeat the things she said. She was very quiet. The complete opposite of us kids. Now she has gone, I realize she had a lot to say. My brother, too, I hear him, too. When we were kids, any time my brother saw me crying, he would be like "Jenny, knock it off". And that's what I hear him say when I cry now.

[on her religious faith] It was the ultimate help to me. We always said: "If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it." There would be no point in faith if it wasn't tested. My mother always told me no matter how negative your life seems to be, you must always look for a positive. That is what I believe a woman of faith should do.