I have both Swedish and Iranian cultures ingrained in me, so that's always there. Plus my love of the U.S. began early on. But growing up in Sweden as one of the few people of color around was not easy by any means.

With this career, it's hard for me to have a day to myself, so when I get them I really appreciate them.

I'm definitely inspired by Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Lauryn Hill.

This fragrance 'Parisienne' by YSL was my fave back when I lived in London.

The Italian futurists, the German expressionists, and the British vorticists were fascinated by speed and the ways the modern world was shattering conventions. The old ways of painting, writing, sculpting, and composing no longer seemed adequate to capture the world.

I love the theater, but if I had to choose, I would choose a film at this time in my life. Something meaty, to sink my teeth into.

I think we shouldn't buckle up our creativity. You've got to experiment!

I want to make music three-dimensional. I want to make a song also a painting, and a painting also a culinary experience.