Quotes By Madonna

Part of the reason I sort of shot out like a cannon out of Michigan and left home at such an early age is because I had to feel independent.

It would be so helpful for the straight community to see men in powerful positions coming out and saying "I'm gay" so they don't have these preconceived notions that all gay men are smarmy idiots living on the street or whatever it is people think of gay men. I think it would be really helpful and productive.

I think I had a lot of bad hair moments. In the early 80's just sometimes I wore purple lipstick or green lipstick.

We've made so many advances in other areas - civil rights, gay rights - but ageism is still an area that's taboo and not talked about and dealt with.

Losing my virginity was a career move.

I know the aspect of my personality, being the vixen, the heartbreaker and the incredibly provocative girl is a very marketable image, but it's not insincere. You just can't take it seriously.

One thing I've learned is that I'm not the owner of my talent; I'm the manager of it.

When I first moved to New York I wanted to be a dancer, I danced professionally for years, living a hand-to-mouth existence.

I wanted to be famous, I wanted everybody to love me. I wanted to be a star. I worked really hard, and my dream came true.

Only the one that hurts you can make you feel better. Only the one that inflicts pain can take it away.

There is a very modest side to me too. How far away from me is the image? It's about 20 steps away.

To me, the most important thing - aside from meeting people's physical needs, whether that's education, health care, clothing, food, a roof over their heads - is changing the mind-set and educating people. And most of all, most important, is empowering people and making them self-sustaining.

I want the good life, but I don't want an easy ride. What I want is to work for it, feel the blood and sweat on my fingertips.

Yoga is a metaphor for life. You have to take it really slowly. You can't rush. You can't skip to the next position. You find yourself in very humiliating situations, but you can't judge yourself. You just have to breathe, and let go. It is a workout for your mind, your body and your soul.

I am a tip-top starlet. That is my job that I am paid to do.

Fame is a by-product. It's not a goal. What matters is loving your work and loving what you do.

I am not reinventing myself. I am going through the layers and revealing myself. I am on a journey, an adventure that's constantly changing shape.

Fame can be very disruptive. It can be like a drug. It gives you the feeling that you're happy, it gives you the feeling of self-importance, it gives you the feeling of fullfilment; but it can distract you from what is really important.

Hollywood is about playing the game, and I can't think of any successful actresses who didn't play the game. There's a lot more renegades in the music business, from Patti Smith to Janis Joplin.

I'm a role model for those who dare to be different. For those who dare to take a stand in their life and have an opinion.