“ I used to wonder if it was God's plan that I should be alone for so much of my life. But I found peace. I found happiness within people and the world. ”

“ In New York I pretty much live in diners - I order French Fries, Diet Coke floats and lots of coffee. ”

“ I knew I wanted to do something creative. I didn't think I'd have the luxury of doing something like that, because I didn't know anyone who had pursued anything they really adored, but I had dreams for singing or writing. ”

“ I don't believe in the school of hard knocks, although I've had them. All that stuff about whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger is so not true. Do you know what makes you stronger? When people treat you and your art with dignity. ”

“ I didn't live at school, I lived where I could and studied what I enjoyed studying. I took what I wanted from that education but was making my first record at the same time. I don't know anyone from school. I was just leading a different life. I was really interested in writing and other things. ”

“ I have kind of a funny relationship with movies. I don't have to see the whole movie to get an impression of it or to let it have an influence on me. ”

“ I don't know that much about who directs what movies, but I'm definitely inspired by the look of old movies I find them to be really beautiful. ”

“ I used to like to set different film clips to classical music, not even my own songs, but make little movies. ”

“ I wanted a name I could shape the music towards. I was going to Miami quite a lot at the time, speaking a lot of Spanish with my friends from Cuba - 'Lana Del Rey' reminded us of the glamour of the seaside. It sounded gorgeous coming off the tip of the tongue. ”

“ I have taken taking my music to labels for years, and everyone just thought it was creepy. They thought the images with the music were weird and verging on psychotic. ”