My mom didn't let me eat sugar or candy until I was older.
The album that defined my childhood was probably Ella Fitzgerald's 'Greatest Hits,' whereas my half-sister, who didn't have the same conservative upbringing, was listening to Cash Money and crunk.
My mom was an executive at AT&T, a global account lady. I have no idea what she did. I just know she was never home and speaks several languages.
On Halloween, because we don't celebrate it, my dad would drive me somewhere, anywhere different. Like Little Italy in New York to walk around and teach me all about the food and culture.
You can take care of your body, and it will low-key show you respect in turn.
Every day I grapple between 'I'm going to get married' and 'I'm going to spend the rest of my life alone with a poodle.'
In the real world, I kind of, like, thrived a little bit. The things that were awkward about me at school, like being hyper passionate... I realized, 'Oh I'm my own person, and I have my own idiosyncrasies and nuances that I don't mind.'
I always used to be like, 'I don't need to meditate.' And it's not true.
Especially when I'm nervous, my mind is running a mile a minute. My ADHD speaks for me before I can speak for me.
I worry so much. Like, 'Damn, how can I be excellent?' But it's a journey.
I try to think of myself as a chic fishing grandpa aesthetically.
Listening to Alabama Shakes made me less self-conscious about my voice.
When I just decided to be myself, that's when you get questions like, 'How do you feel about feminism?' And I have no idea; this is just when I decide what I'm not tolerating and what I genuinely think and a little bit in between.
I was unpopular my whole life.
I'm a visual learner, so film is a huge inspiration to me.
My parents are really conservative. My dad is Muslim, and my mom is the most conservative woman you've ever met. They're very aristocratic in the most quaint suburban way.
I live in my imagination, so sometimes movies help me get lost. I feel like I'm in it.
I don't feel ashamed to be loud, which is an argument I've had with lots of men, who thought I was too sassy and unladylike.
I love the comparison with Aaliyah and Timbaland, because Aaliyah is a legend, and there is a large cinematic feel to Timbaland's sound, but what I do is different.
Sugar makes me feel crazy - like, makes my body hurt kind of a thing. I don't really eat fruit because it has a lot of sugar. I try not to eat a lot of red meat, but every now and again, I feel like I need iron or something - something that I'm missing.
