- [her reaction to Suzanne Finstad's 1996 biography of her, "Child Bride"] Talk about 5 minutes [of fame]! There are people in that book I've never even heard of. That woman made me out to be some kind of prostitute. I dated. But that was just my life...
- [on marrying Elvis Presley] I was so young and naive at the time, there was just no way I could have made a success of that marriage. I realized I couldn't give him the kind of adulation he got from his fans, and he needed that adulation desperately. Without it he was nothing.
- I don't care about being a superstar, but I feel I have something to give and to share, and if I can do that and maintain my values...well, I can.
- [about her guest arc on Melrose Place (1992)] Writers had envisioned a Nurse Ratched, right out of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). I saw her differently. There's already so much bitchiness on the show, and I didn't want to do what the audience would expect.
- [on why she won't marry Marco Garibaldi, 1988] Marriage is somewhat of a business, and as of now our relationship is not a business.
- [on becoming a grandmother in 1989] There was no planning whatsoever. She just came to me and said, 'Mom, you know, I'm pregnant.' Every emotion hit me at the same time. I felt anxiety and even anger.
- [on the friendship she developed with Naked Gun co-star O.J. Simpson] I don't want to touch that with a 10-foot pole.
- I used to blame myself for a lot of things. My life turned around when I realized the mistakes of others, not just your mistakes, can cause problems. I also learned not to avoid confrontation, and I learned the importance of just talking things out.
- [on the suggestion that she was only cast in Dallas (1978) because of the publicity she would bring to the series] I'm sure people would have other considerations. But then it's up to me to go, "Okay, they have their motive. Well here's my motive: I wanna act and I'll do it." I have to look at the overall picture.
- Sometimes I look at myself and go, 'My God! You're still trying to prove yourself, you don't need to do this anymore.' I've come a long way from a 14-year-old kid who wasn't even planning on getting into the business. And I don't think anyone ever thought that I would. So I look at all the accomplishments that I've had and I go, 'Geez, it's not so bad.'
- I would never go with a guy who wasn't boss. I mean the man would definitely have to be the more dominant person.
- I'll tell you why I have no lines: Elvis used to used to slap me in the forehead every time I looked up. I'd be sitting in the kitchen doing my homework, and I'd look up at Elvis - like this - and he'd tap me on the forehead. He'd tell me not to use my forehead to look up, only to use my eyes. Pow! I still feel his hand there. I've never had Botox, any of that, in my forehead.
- Ask yourself what your best feature is. Then go for it. Your worst? Don't pay attention to it. Sometimes, the more you try to hide a part of you, the more it sticks out!
- You can't be a naive parent today. You have to think one step ahead. I've seen kids who were high and the parents had no idea what was going on. Not knowing is a sorry excuse.
- Any time you create a mystery, people want to know. And when you don't want people to know a lot of things, they create their own stories.
- [regarding nudity onscreen] I have a son to answer to. I don't want my son seeing me nude. I don't know how these mothers do it. I don't know how Demi Moore does it. I'm sorry--she's got three kids. I don't know how Cybill Shepherd does it. I don't know, it's just not in me. It just isn't in me. I've got an aunt and my grandchildren. I don't want to embarrass them.
- When I went to Patricia Stevens [finishing school] I overdid it with makeup, because at that time I was going through the Cleopatra stage. But it was fun. I still love to fool around with cosmetics, but not as much as when I was younger. I think every girl goes through that stage. How attractive I thought I looked at the time! Now I see those old pictures of me with all that makeup and I think, 'Oh, how blind I was!' I wish that Elvis had said something, but he must have liked it because he never commented. I do think that men in show business like to have women in makeup because they are used to seeing women looking the best that they possibly can.
- I felt karate wasn't very feminine. So I decided to go back into ballet.
- I think that there can be a very good relationship between two people that marriage can ruin. In marriage, you can easily take each other for granted. You begin to feel obligated. I see it happening to my friends - everyone is divorced - and I saw it happen to me. It's a slow gradual change.
- I always arrange time to be by myself. I have to be able to sit back and think, to reason things out. Otherwise, I tend to let problems become bigger than they really are. I make time for my family too. I really need them ... and they need me.
- I believe God helps those who help themselves.
- Elvis brought out this mothering quality. I cut his meat up for him. I tasted it before he ever had it. I would fix his deviled eggs, cut off the top, put his butter in, prepare all his food as a mother would for a child. I would test it to see if it was too hot. Even making his coffee...I loved doing it for him. We'd all baby him. Then you'd see him on stage and he looked so strong and so virile, it was like 'Oh my god!' But there was this child that was still in there.
- Elvis was faithful to me during our marriage. I cheated on him. He passed a lie detector test and until he learned of my indiscretions, Elvis never cheated. Only after I left him. Elvis was a loving, sincere man who respected his home and family. His career took him away from us and being so young and naive I thought wrongly that he just didn't care anymore. Had I known then what I do now about this business, I would have been more patient, more able to help him.
- [on Fire Island] I've never seen so many beautiful men in all my life. Are you sure they're all gay?
- When I was little, I knew that whatever I did--and I didn't know what it would be--but I knew that whatever it was, I would give everything to it. I think a lot of kids feel that way. You just want to be the best at whatever you do. I've been through a lot of conflict. There's been tragedy to cope with. There's been a fight for survival. Now I feel certain of myself. I can say: this is me, this is who I am, and I accept that.
- [November 29, 2010] I want to say how deeply stunned and saddened I am, as we all are, by the sudden passing of Leslie Nielsen. Having had the great fortune of working with Leslie on several films, I know firsthand how truly generous, funny and talented he was; he was always teaching me something new and he made coming to work so much fun. He was a brilliant and unique individual who was forever young at heart and he will truly be missed. My heartfelt thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this very difficult time.
- Inner beauty should be the most important part of improving one's self.
- To be a producer in this town, it has to be a hobby because, believe me if you're waiting around for something to get done it just doesn't happen.
- Elvis was absolutely the love of my life, and there's no sadness about it because I have my memories, and they're delicious and they're all mine.
- Yes, some men I've been with have mattered to me, but Elvis was my first love, he'll be my last.
- I have always loved animals. I used to rescue dogs, cats, rabbits. Any stray that came my way when I was a very young girl. Because of my love and interest, I hosted a show called Those Amazing Animals (1980) and learned from many of our guest experts about farm animals that are raised in cages and are so close together they can not move. Elephants, who are very social creatures that have shown remarkable displays of helping, empathy and compassion, who were separated from their herds put into a circus and grieved for their family. Dogs, like Pit Bulls, who by the way, are amazing dogs when in the hands of loving owners, are bred and made to fight for their own survival in betting rings i.e. Michael Vick. Man has a very inhumane side and have done unthinkable acts toward these creatures who share this planet with us, i. e. Walter Palmer in the barbaric killing of Cecile, the lion. Knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes made me an activist.
- I have a soft spot for the south. And I miss it very much. I don't get there nearly as much as I'd like. And I miss my southern friends who are steadfast, loyal and true.
- [following the death of Joe Esposito] Losing Joe is a monumental loss in my life. He has been a loving, supportive and lifelong friend and was there from the very first time I met Elvis to the day he left us. I spoke to him 3 days before he passed, his last words before we hung up..."I love you Cilla." He was devoted to Elvis and served him well. The friends he acquired during his lifetime... says it all. Joe, you may have left the building too, but you will never be forgotten my friend. Give our man a big hug and kiss and that he's still loved by us all and we're still taking care of business.
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