I've been giving back since I was a teen, handing out turkeys at Thanksgiving and handing out toys at toys drives for Christmas. It's very important to give back as a youth. It's as simple as helping an old lady across the street or giving up your seat on the bus for someone who is pregnant.

- Queen Latifah

To me, doing a gay pride show is one of the most fun things. My first show that paid more than $10,000 was in a gay club on New Year's Eve in San Francisco.

- Queen Latifah

Beauty is not just a white girl. It's so many different flavors and shades.

- Queen Latifah

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm way more of a joker than I am a serious person.

- Queen Latifah

I know a lot of people who really aren't beautiful because their attitudes are very nasty... Whether I make the 50 most beautiful list or not, I'm always going to feel like I'm number one most beautiful to myself... I get that from my mom, and my daddy and my friends who raised me.

- Queen Latifah

I'm not one of those people who wake up chatting. I usually don't want to speak for the first 10 or 20 minutes. And I don't really want you to talk to me either!

- Queen Latifah

Look at people for an example, but then make sure to do things your way. Surround yourself with positive people.

- Queen Latifah

Bowling, I like bowling. I've been getting into this bowling thing. It's kinda fun.

- Queen Latifah

My mother wouldn't allow me to speak slang when I was growing up. But when I got outside, around my friends, it was 'Yo' and 'That's the joint' and 'Yo, what's up?' So I had my game for my friends and my game for my mom.

- Queen Latifah

I love riding, even if it's just my Vespa. You just zip and do your thing. I find there's a different awareness when I ride; it connects me to my senses and to God.

- Queen Latifah

I enjoy going to work and having a good time. It's tough when you got to work with people who just are in a bad mood all the damn time.

- Queen Latifah

Be bold, be brave enough to be your true self.

- Queen Latifah

There are a lot of people who helped make Queen Latifah who she is today. I don't forget, but a lot of people do and get big heads. My mom will make me walk the dogs or take out the trash when I go home. I'm not allowed to get a big head; I've still got to do the simple things in life.

- Queen Latifah

Every woman is a queen, and we all have different things to offer.

- Queen Latifah

Running for office was definitely something I've thought about. When I was younger, I wanted to major in political science. And I've been engaged in current events since I was a kid. If I can make a difference and feel passionately and capable, then I would. Why not?

- Queen Latifah

If there are kids who want to follow in my footsteps, I'd say that my shoes are too big for them to fill! But their shoe size is just perfect.

- Queen Latifah

How many crossroads are you allowed to have in life? I seem to have a lot of crossroads. I think maybe I crossed back across the same road too often.

- Queen Latifah

I am a strong woman with or without this other person, with or without this job, and with or without these tight pants.

- Queen Latifah

I am not one to turn down macaroni and cheese, even late at night. I love Italian food. I love pasta... A refrigerator full of water and Gatorade? Honey, that's just not gonna happen.

- Queen Latifah

I lost relatives to AIDS. A couple of my closest cousins, favorite cousins. I lost friends to AIDS, high school friends who never even made it to their 21st birthdays in the '80s. When it's that close to you, you can't - you know, you can't really deny it, and you can't run from it.

- Queen Latifah