I've never seen magazine covers and seen music videos and been like I need to look like that if I want to be a success. Never. I don't want to be some skinny mini with my tits out. I really don't want to do it. And I don't want people confusing what it is that I'm about.
I was about to meet Beyonce, and I had a full-blown anxiety attack. Then she popped in looking gorgeous, and said, "You're amazing! When I listen to you I feel like I'm listening to God."
I want to leave an album behind that is classic, that people in 50 years will refer to and pass on to their children. An album that you never bored of.
I like looking nice, but I always put comfort over fashion. I don't find thin girls attractive; be happy and healthy. I've never had a problem with the way I look. I'd rather have lunch with my friends than go to a gym.
Sometimes with pop music, you have to see it to love it. With soul music, it's sparse. There's nothing that's pretentious or planned. It's just so gutsy.
My voice went recently, never happened before, off like a tap. I had to sit in silence for nine days, chalkboard around my neck. Like an old-school mime. Like a kid in the naughty corner. Like a Victorian mute.