I'm a storyteller who wants to tell untold, meaningful, universal stories in unforgettable ways. I want to do it all, study it all, and find my place in it.
Janelle MonaeRead
When I got into the music industry, I wasn't focused on being the most famous artist or even getting a major record deal. It was just to make music on my own terms or create my own image, do my own hair, do my own makeup.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity and self-expression over fame and external validation.
In this quote, Janelle Monae reflects on her journey into the music industry, highlighting that her initial motivation was not to achieve fame or secure a major record deal, but rather to create music that resonated with her personal vision. This underscores the value of artistic integrity and individuality, suggesting that true fulfillment comes from creating on one's own terms rather than conforming to industry standards or societal expectations.
Themes
AuthenticitySelf-ExpressionMusicIndividualityArtistic Integrity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote serves as inspiration for artists starting their careers, encouraging them to stay true to themselves.
More from Janelle Monae
All quotes →I have a great body, I really do. But I want to be taken seriously as an artist, and wearing anything that shows it off will be a distraction from the music. That's how my signature uniform, my tuxedo, came about. It's classic and timeless. You'll see me in black, white, and a pop of color on my lips. That pop adds a little magic.
Janelle MonaeRead
Redefine what it means to be sexy and what it means to be a woman. Showing my skin is not what makes me sexy. I like skirts and dresses just like everyone else, but I had a message I needed to put out there. It was up to me to show people and young girls there was another way.
Janelle MonaeRead
Even if it makes others comfortable, I will LOVE who I am
Janelle MonaeRead
I have not lost any of my crazy, fearless, raw, soulful, eclectic side and I plan on continuing to tell universal stories in an unforgettable way.
Janelle MonaeRead
Perfection is often the enemy of greatness.
Janelle MonaeRead
Similar quotes
No author can create a character out of nothing. He must have a model to give him a starting point; but then his imagination goes to work, he builds him up, adding a trait here, a trait there, which his model did not possess.
W. Somerset MaughamRead
But don't tell me I'm not sensitive to beauty. That's my Achilles' heel, and don't you forget it. To me, everything is beautiful. Show me a pink sunset and I'm limp, by God.
J. D. SalingerRead
I hope people will say, 'Mr. Valentino, he did something for fashion, no?'
Valentino GaravaniRead
In my career as a director, there's always been some point where you get halfway through it, or three-quarters, and you go: 'What is this thing all about, and why am I telling the story? Does anybody really care about seeing this?' At that time you have to say: 'OK, forget that and just go ahead.'
Clint EastwoodRead
Fashion is a language that creates itself in clothes to interpret reality.
Karl LagerfeldRead
Then I thought, Whoa. If there are no photographs, then there is no history. I'm going to get in there. I'm going to make these pictures. We need a record.
Joel MeyerowitzRead