People get really turned off by feminism.

I really am a chick from Long Island who's just learning along with everyone.

I was always like that, at 5 years old, just demanding equality. I thought it could all be fixed if you called attention to it.

I want people to live to their full potential, not to hold themselves back because of insecurities, and especially not women. I see too much of that.

I have just returned from Arenas and feel very tired. His Excellency loaded me with a thousand honours; I have painted his portrait and that of his wife and boy and girl with unexpected success, for other artists had been there previously and not been successful.

Be careful of success; it has a dark side.

Starting a band is the easy part. Once you've formed the band, you have to tell a story, and that story requires songs. And not just good songs, but great songs. After a while, great songs won't do - they have to be the best. Success doesn't make it any easier. Each time I start a new record, it's a brand-new search.

When I sing, I think mostly about the music. But I know that, through singing, my body shows everything that I am. I am a very passionate man and I suffer a lot and have a lot of joy also. In my opinion, it is very important for me to find this stimulus and motivation for singing.