Quotes About Self-expression

I used to do my own make-up. I used to have this doll that had those big eyelashes on the top and bottom, and I think I copied her when I was doing my eyes, putting false eyelashes on the bottom as well as the top. So I came up with that look myself.

Making fake biography, false history, concocting a half-imaginary existence out of the actual drama of my life is my life.

I learned a lot about make-up during my years in The Saturdays. For all of us, make-up ended up being a real mask of confidence. We used to wear a lot of heavy make-up because we were on stage so much. I remember at one point having two or three sets of false eyelashes applied in one go.

I'm trying to look natural and not painted. I'm typically fighting hair and makeup teams because I'm always saying, 'Can I wear less? Can I look natural and fresh?'

When I was in school I read a lot of comic books and pretend I was in them and kids would tease me and call me names. But now I do the same things and people say that I'm artistic and cool and I'm doing the exact same thing I did in high school.

My mother sent me to speech classes, but the other kids still teased me. I was shy. I stooped. Instead of talking, I kept journals. That's where my love of words comes from. I majored in journalism.

I used to be teased for the way I wore my hair at school. I used to do things like wear a different-colored sock on each leg.

I'm very quiet. In the beginning, my brother would play the piano, and I would sing, because that's what my mom and dad did. And then along the way, somebody teased me for even thinking that I could get up there. That stayed with me, and I became very shy.

I went to Salford Tech. They did a two-year performing arts course. I went there singing and dancing - I had a terrible time. I turned up in green dungarees and German power boots. I was into prog rock at the time - Gong and Hawkwind - and I was clumping around.

There's a single with D.J. Class and Fatman Scoop - I'm not going to claim to be a singer, but my voice is in it and the song is technically about me.

I felt like my Ellenberger fight, I think I fought a really good fight. I was technically on-point, I was sharp, and watching the fight I wasn't disappointed. But I didn't have fun at the end of the day, and that's what I do this for. I want to express myself when I'm up there, like an artist painting a picture.

Listen, Im not technically the best singer in the world.

I think people are so nervous to try an actual dance class because maybe they don't have the right technique or they're at a certain level, but I think anyone should dance and should try it.

Technology can become a crutch. Sometimes it's there just to hide behind when you're shy of what you're trying to say.

I never dressed like a teddy boy, and I don't like shaving but you've got to do it.

I put on whatever is comfortable on me. Suit, jeans and tee as long as it's comfortable. It doesn't matter what brand. If it looks good I buy it.

I became a master of disguise and could play the straight man down to a tee, sometimes over-compensating by getting into fights or being overly aggressive because I didn't want the real me to be found out. So I created this alter ego, knowing full well that I was living in my little fantasy bubble, my shell.

I got through my teen years by being a bit of a clown.

I didn't want to do music. I was very doubtful. I was like, 'Oh my God. No one wants to hear a teen mom rapper.'

I experimented as a teen, and had some hellish hairstyles - way too many perms and cheap hairspray!

My whole life, growing up, I always wanted to be in comedy. I never felt comfortable doing the 'teen hunk' thing.

There was so much pressure to fit in, I tried to force myself to be like everyone else. The last thing any teen wants is to be 'uncool.'

I have no hips, and I feel like my body's like a teenage boy's. But I can have the hair long, put on makeup, wear a dress, and do the exact opposite as well.

I spent my teenage years and early 20s being manipulated - well, not manipulated, but I was told what to do and what to say by agents and managers, and when I was around 23 I thought 'I am sick of pretending to be someone and saying all these things that don't really resonate with me.'