“That word is used so loosely that I don’t even consider myself a diva,” LaBelle said in an interview with PrideSource. “I always considered myself a woman who sings her heart out and who gives 120 percent. ‘Diva’ is a word that I wouldn’t wanna call myself because it’s so loosely used. It’s not cute anymore.”

The 69-year-old singer explained that there is a negative connotation to the word now, “because all these little heifers who can’t sing are called divas!”

“It doesn’t mean anything to me and probably to some of the other ladies who have been doing it for as long as I have: Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick,” LaBelle continued. “You know, I’m speaking for me — I don’t know if they like to be called divas — but I know I wouldn’t call them divas, because it’s not in good company.”

While she hasn’t released a studio album in years, LaBelle is continuing to tour across the country. The Grammy-winning singer has upcoming shows in cities such as New York, Detroit, and San Antonio.