On her famous curves: I think it’s interesting because people think I’m a lot curvier than I am. I’m definitely not like what people’s perception of me is. Every single day of my life somebody says, ‘You’re tiny!’ Every day! I guess everyone else puts more focus on it than I do.
On taking time off: I needed some time to live. I’ve been signed to the same label since I was 12 years old and never had more than a month and a half off since I was 13. I’ve worked so had for so many years and just felt like, ‘Well, why not?’ I learned a lot from the simple things in life, like picking my nephew up from school. Cooking. Going to the museums. Seeing shows. Broadway plays. Going to restaurants. You know, living.
On joining Jay-Z on tour: It was really interesting being on a tour without working. I was able to go and see bands like The Dead Weather, Thom Yorke, Muse, and Rage Against The Machine. Seeing those audiences was a completely different culture for me. I really learned a lot from watching those shows. It’s such a different mindset from my audience. The mosh-pits, the fire, it was all just so soulful. I want people to be that free when they hear my music! I would love people to stage dive at my shows. It would be great. I mean I say that, although if it happens at Glastonbury I’ll probably be like, Oh, um, wait a minute!
On playing Glastonbury: He (Jay-Z) really opened so many doors. I would have never thought about doing Glastonbury if I wasn’t there the night he played. I guess it’s different with pop music as these songs are played at graduations and weddings. It’s definitely not as controversial or as hardcore as hip hop, so maybe people feel more comfortable listening to pop. I am nervous though. But right now, this part of my life is all about embracing change and going to the next level, taking risks and showing my bravery. Not being safe. Not doing the song that everyone else on pop radio sounds like. Basically, what everyone else is doing, unless it’s something that’s natural for me. I want to do something completely different. I feel like I’ve earned that right. Risks excite me.
On not allowing bad press affect her: I didn’t even know I’ve had negative press in the past three months! I didn’t. I think that’s one of the great things about living my life with my family and my friends and the people that I respect and love. I kinda stand away from that madness. There’s always something negative about every celebrity if you’re looking for it.
On moving on from her old material: I don’t want to hear about “Single Ladies” or “Crazy In Love.” I don’t want to hear it. I believe that there are certain things that happen and they happen naturally. I killed off needing Sasha Fierce. I don’t need her anymore. I am Sasha Fierce. It’s interesting because now I’ve done it for so long it’s so easy for me to go into that performance mode. Literally, I go from being a country girl in the dressing room who’s laughing and being silly into, ‘Okay, it’s time to work!’ I don’t have to mentally prepare myself for it. Honestly. I’m much more interested in showing people the sensitive, the passionate, and the compassionate person that I am. More so than Sasha Fierce.
On the loneliness of fame: You want to know something that no one else knows? I get uncomfortable at a club when they play my music. When I go clubbing I end up dancing behind a wall of security guards. That’s not fun, right? It’s pretty sad. I don’t go to clubs very often because of that! Unless it’s an environment where people are not staring at me or trying to grab my hair. I won’t usually go to the dance floor. You know that Jim Carrey film, The Truman Show? That’s how it feels to be a celebrity.
