There are very few pop people I'm interested in working with.

The first question [American college kids] asked me was, 'What state is Kuwait in?' They thought Kuwait was in America.

If you've ever seen album covers for Arab female pop stars, it looks like the designer was paid five dollars to make them, and the extreme femaleness is astounding.

I'm fascinated by evil queens. They're very alluring and repellent at the same time, and I'm into that dichotomy.

The vast majority of women musicians function under singular names like 'Cher' 'Madonna'. They have to get married almost immediately to preserve their honour.

I feel like there is an emphasis against teaching geography in American schools. Americans don't say, "I'm going to Germany." They say, "I'm going to Europe."

I was one of five out of 100 people who passed the test, which just proved to me how little Americans are taught geography.

I've never been to China. I only know what the West is telling me about China.

I had a story-telling mother; she's written novels and short stories. So I feel like maybe I'm staying alive by telling tales.

My music doesn't exist in a vacuum; there's a script and there's an actor and it's about to come together.

I still think you people need to be curious [in order to absorb the culture]. You need to search Uzbekistani pop music.

The friend that always finds time to spend with you without consulting his or her calendar is a true friend.

Happiness does not lie in happiness, but in the achievement of it.

Doing nothing feels like floating on warm water to me. Delightful, perfect.

For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive

If malice or envy were tangible and had a shape, it would be the shape of a boomerang.

First we only want to be seen, but once we’re seen, that’s not enough anymore. After that, we want to be remembered.

You're Mac, and I'm Jericho. And nothing else matters.

I dainty little lass I wasn't. I looked twice my age until I turned 10 or 11.

I'm extremely proud of the ability to really go forth and minister.

Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports.