Kenya Barris Quotes

Follow your own weird.

I like being the odd one out in L.A. Because if you conform, you become something you hate. I love being the odd one out. It's not about 'Look at me! Look at me!' It's about really becoming someone else.

It does not matter how badly you paint so long as you don't paint badly like other people.

I'd just like to inspire people to be themselves and do what they want and not conform to the rigid guidelines of the music or entertainment business.

Maybe I'm not a typical pop star, but I don't think there's a mould for a pop star or singer. You can do whatever you want.

I can't think of anything worse, really, than to try to live up to someone else's expectations of what you should be. You don't make art by consensus.

I named my album 'So Uncool' because it defies the ordinary: you're different from everyone else. It's like, being uncool makes you cool because you're different!

The key to me is being different not for the sake of being different, but being the most authentic version of what you do. And definitely it takes a willingness to be different, because there was resistance for me early on, and I feel like that's usually the case when there's a certain paradigm or trend happening, and you step outside of that.

I don't feel pressure to act like other people or rap like other people, because I just can't.

What's the fun in doing conventional things? I would rather be known as someone who is unconventional. I like being unconventional. I like doing things which are different. That's what I like... It gives me a boost as an actor.

You don't have to fit into a mold that someone else has defined.

It's time to stop complying with the system and draw your own map. Stop settling for what's good enough and start creating art that matters.

I'd rather sink trying to be different, than stay afloat like everyone else.

I think, as an artist, part of your job is being aware of what's going on around you and not selling out and not following the trend, which I'm totally against.

I want to be remembered as somebody that tried to respect her integrity as an artist and as a person. And I don't want to be in any box. I don't want to be one thing.

I love Lady Gaga. She's not afraid to take risks and be herself.

When you're just like everybody else, you've nothing to offer other than your conformity.

Seriously, I don't think there's any right way to do anything apart from if you're just being you; then it's a sincere situation.

I think the greatest of people that have ever been in society, they were never versions of someone else. They were themselves.

I don't chase what I hear on the radio. I try not to compete with anybody.

It can be frightening to turn your back on what others think is right. But I'm not the same as a lot of people - I'm quite artistic and quite eccentric sometimes. If you honour that, you fit into yourself better - and people accept you for what you are.

I'd hate it if everyone in the world liked me, my music and what I wore. It'd make it boring, and I wouldn't have anything to work towards. It's not to everyone's taste, but I can only be me.

I've always loved the idea of not being what people expect me to be.

I think people should express themselves more and not just buy what's in. While it can be very beautiful, and it may suit you perfectly, I'm sure it doesn't suit everyone in the same way. I like people who express themselves and are more individualistic.

But to me, to be original is to be yourself.