Kali Uchis

I've always been very insecure and had a lot of self-doubt growing up. That was partially because of how I was raised.

I've always experimented with my look. Growing up, I thought it was so weird that people dressed alike and all bought the same things.

Juanes is one of the legendary, iconic Colombian artists. Growing up in Colombia, you can't really not have him on your radar. His songs are everywhere, and there's a statue of him. He's pretty big for Latin America, and for Colombia especially.

N.E.R.D. was also from - not too far from where I was from growing up. For a lot of people who make music, that was a huge influence in teen years.

I'm just inspired by life and, growing up, I listened to all types of different sounds, genres, and areas of music.

The constant pressure to be the perfect, ideal female - there's no such thing.

As female artists, we have to be constantly criticized for the way that we look, the way that we dress, on a whole other level that men don't have to face.

I wasn't into social media at all, but when I decided I was going to put out my own music, I said, 'Okay, I'm just going to post it.' And that's when it started its rounds on the Internet, and people started to take an interest in me.

My favourite 'stage' of Shakira was the brunette punk rock one, but she'll always have a special place in my heart, whatever she's doing.

I never had a backup plan. I felt like if I had a backup plan, it was like saying to the universe that I didn't believe in myself.

I just believe in standing up for people and against discrimination. I consider myself an advocate for human rights.

I was one of those people at one point who was scared to put my foot down and show where the boundaries were. For me, it's really important to stand your ground and know exactly what you are, where you wanna be, and what you're doing, or else people are gonna try you.