Aaliyah Aaliyah

It's Friday and I'm ready to swing. Pick up my girls and hit the party scene.

It's in how you carry yourself. I've always been a very mature person, and I've always known what I wanted. And I go after it no matter what.

I'm a survivor, and I can handle anything. I'm very confident about that.

You have to enjoy your job; you should wake up every day and love what you do... I honestly do... From the bottom of my heart to the depths of my soul. I'm truly happy.

I've been singing all my life. I've always wanted this. I sang in church, in school plays, and my parents gave me vocal lessons. My parents always said this was destined for me.

There is always a bit of pressure to do a good album - to do good work, period. I really put a lot of pressure on myself, more so than other people. But I try not to let that overwhelm me to the point where I can't even do good work. I just put it aside and do the best that I know that I can.

That's why I work every day. Ev-er-y day. I want to knock people out.

Everything is worth it. The hard work, the times when you're tired, the times where you're a bit sad... In the end, it's all worth it because it really makes me happy. There's nothing better than loving what you do.

If at first you don't succeed/You can dust it off and try again/Dust yourself off and try again.

There are times I can't even figure myself out.

When a fan comes up to you and says I love your music, there's nothing better than that.

My parents just tell me, 'If you know what you want, you should stay determined and go for it. You can do anything.'

It was always part of the plan to move into acting.

Sensual is being in tune with your sensual self.

There is a bit of acting involved when you get in front of a camera for a video. Even when you perform onstage, you're putting on a show.

Well, I think that the image is a part of me. I wear the baggy pants, the hats, the whole nine. And you know, I may add a little for the excitement and the intrigue in the videos, but my family has told me that little air of mystery that surrounds me is for real.

If I don't think about it, it won't drive me crazy.

There are times in my life when I just want to be by myself.

It's fun to be creative and innovative and come up with something crazy. So I need people to work with who are not going to be afraid to take it to the left a bit.

I wanted to be different and original but still have it be something my fans could get into. There also are some big, beautiful ballads. I told my producers that I wanted tracks that are going to blow up in the clubs, but I also wanted songs that were very melodic and with a lot of instrumentation.

Whatever will be, will be.

I go through the same problems all young people go through. Being in this business, I accept that there are positives and negatives but having a strong family base and a belief in God enables me to weather the storms.

It's been so long and I'm lost without you, what am I gonna do? I been needin' you, wantin' you, wonderin' if you're the same and who's been with you. Is your heart still mine? I wanna cry sometimes ... I miss you.

I wanna be the best at what I do. I wanna sing, I wanna dance, I wanna act. That's about it.

People are gonna look up to me because I'm young, black, and female.

I'm the interpreter. I'm the one who takes your words and brings them to life. I was trained to sing and dance and laugh, and that's what I want to do.

The Matrix is top secret. There isn't much that can be said right now.

I'm involved in some action scenes, so they'll train me for that. I'll be working with my acting coach to prepare for my character.

I have the time needed to support the album and tour.

It's really a sad story, and I liked that. The songs on this album talk about relationships in every aspect.