My sister and I were not allowed expensive clothes. We so badly wanted these Fila sneakers as kids, but my mother took us down to the flea market and got imitation ones. Look at the early Destiny's Child videos. You'll see.
From a very early age, I decided that I wanted to be able to do my music but still be able to live a normal life.
I have always had tremendous respect for my sister as an artist, as a woman, and now as a mother.
You just have to know that the more successful you get as an artist, the less of a normal life you have. It's a trade-off.
In my experience, as a young black artist, you have to fulfill an archetype, or be a token - and I was unwilling to do that.
I wear short shorts. After 10 years of strenuous ballet, it's the least my legs can do for me.
