I think growing up the way I did has made me a lot more objective, and that's important in the process of writing and trying to look at subjective matter that way.

I think my real influences are out of my control, which are the things that entered my brain when I was a kid growing up.

Growing up, I never really felt like anything was my own. I moved a lot, and I never belonged anywhere.

On one hand, I think it's very important to talk about race and talk about gender, because if it's not talked about, then we won't progress. What I have a problem with is when it becomes another form of tokenization, of shrinking me into a symbol instead of a multilayered, female Asian artist.

I am most proud that I stayed true to the music of my soul.

I would love to continue working on animated films. Yeah, those are my ambitions. No doubt.

I'd love to get into one of Tyler Perry's movies - play a little role, have a little character. I don't care. But more than two lines! More than two words!

I saw a Shakespeare play when I was - I guess I was in junior high. And I just fell in love with the theater because, for me, it was a combination of big ideas and feeling.