Success is doing what you love and loving people while you do it.
I just want kids to know that, no matter what your circumstance is and no matter where you're from, you can always make a way. There's always a way out of or a way in to do something - that thing that you want to do.
The people that are closest to your heart are always the people who were with you when you had nothing.
Money will come, and opportunities will come, but the only thing we don't get back is time.
I'm being more selective about what I do, but really, it's just, if I love it, I'ma do it. It's that simple.
You answer anger with love. You answer anger with selflessness. The answer to anger is always the opposite thing of anger.
I did an open call for some random show, and afterwards, they said they wanted to meet me for a thing called 'Hamilton's Mixtape.' I was like, 'What? That's not what I auditioned for, but cool, I guess.'
The only thing that matters is how you feel in the moment and what you think is the right choice in that moment.
As an artist, you can work to make money, or you can be an artist who thinks about their legacy.
It was hard knowing that you walk into a store sometimes, and you're wearing a baseball cap and a hoodie and some baggy jeans, or your skin is a little darker, and the clerk is just staring at you a little bit harder. The cops treat you a little differently.
I grew up in Bushwick, and I lived with my mom. She was a single parent with three kids. I've got an older brother and a younger sister. We all were pretty active kids, but school wasn't particularly our strong suit; we were always good at other things.
In junior high school, I had this singing group called The Halsey Trio. We would sing songs by The Temptations at school assemblies, so I figured I could do something like that again.
My biggest influence is my big brother.
Baseball was the escape. I played all throughout my childhood.
Singing was something I only did at family functions, but I never took it seriously.
It's not uncommon to have at least one friend that you used to mess with, and it didn't work out. But still, there's mad love there.
Just speaking from growing up in the projects, it was hard for me to take dance classes or voice classes because I didn't have money. Or learn an instrument because I didn't have the money to buy one.
I just feel like, especially after 'Crazy Rich Asians,' gentrification isn't affecting art. I am actually more inspired by art now than ever.
We were all working for 400 dollars a week at the Public Theater and sharing a space downstairs together, so we grew to love each other. That dynamic for me as an original company member is special to me.
It's a blessing to have people who love the art that you make and who are inspired by the art you create and are a part of.
