“I felt like my girlie image was boring and contrived and generic. I was so restricted. I could not wear red lipstick. If I did I would get cursed out by my marketing person. I did a big performance on an awards show and I won some awards and [was happy] , but as soon as I got off the plane, I got the nastiest email from her about [my looks]. I then realized she was not treating me like a human being so I cut her off.

That [was] a funny situation, but I always remained humble. I was just the little Caribbean girl. You have to be good to people. I could very easily say it’s all karma…God has favor on me and has blessed me, and I cannot even thank Him enough.

“I like hanging in tattoo shops. When I am in New York, after all the photo shoots and performances, when I should be resting, sometimes I get dressed and go to the tattoo parlors in SoHo and just hang out. I am so intrigued by tattoos. It’s an entire culture, and I study it. Sometimes I go with friends or just by myself. I get bum-rushed, but I don’t care. I don’t take security.”

As an entertainer, you put everyone else first, because you want to please everyone. Then you think, Am I happy? I knew I wanted to do something new with my look and my sound. I want to keep people intrigued. And [since] I was not being intrigued by myself, I knew other people were not. I am a free woman. Everything I couldn’t do before I do now. I cut my hair. I wear black. I wear red lipstick. I am doing all these things and it’s working. I decided to just be me, and I feel so liberated.

I like bad guys. [They have] the most personality and make you laugh. I love that. I need to have a good time. Happiness is when I get off the phone and I am glowing. I want that person to be my light.”