You don't just wake up one morning and decide to become a singer-songwriter. Karen Elson More Quotes by Karen Elson More Quotes From Karen Elson At school I got harassed so badly for being too tall, too thin, too pale - too everything that has gotten me where I am now, which is quite ironic. Karen Elson pale ironic school One girl came up to me - I remember it so vividly - she said, "You're not fit to model socks." It crushed me. But at the same time, it made me unbelievably determined to prove everybody wrong and prove to myself that I could live an incredible life. Karen Elson determined girl remember I'm dedicating my time to going on tour and basically juggling music, modeling, and being a mother. Being a mother is obviously the most important. Karen Elson juggling important mother As a model, I am at the mercy of everybody else. It's much more of a situation where I go to work, put the clothes on, get in front of the camera, and then go home. But in that process, I never really have control over any of it. So, putting out a record, it's such a brilliant opportunity to be in control of things. It's my world, my music, and I can put it out there in a way that is meaningful to me. Karen Elson home opportunity meaningful I just love vintage. I have far too many vintage dresses. Karen Elson vintage dresses Obviously there are going to be a lot of skeptics. I only hope I can prove them wrong and give the idea of model-slash-anything a genuine chance. Karen Elson chance giving ideas I was afraid of being judged too harshly. But I'd let those fears overwhelm me for far too long. Karen Elson being-judged judged long I like feeling a bit of an outcast where I am. I've always been that way. Somehow, I fit in by not fitting in. Karen Elson outcast fit feelings I very much adore people who are outcasts, and I've always loved to be around interesting, circus-type people. Karen Elson circus people interesting I'm surrounded by freaks. Am I weirder than the rest of them? Ultimately I've learned to pride myself on being quirky. Karen Elson quirky freak pride I was always the weirdo at school. When I became a model [at 16], I didn't tell anybody. I was terrified that the kids would rip me to pieces. Karen Elson rip kids school I've been such a gypsy in my life because I was born in northern England and grew up there until I was 16. But I'm 31 now, so I've lived almost half my life in so many other countries that I don't really know what nationality I am. I mean, I've got a British passport and an American green card, but I don't know where I'm from anymore. Karen Elson gypsy mean country I feel like somehow I'm living my life mentally in reverse. It's taken me to my 30s to feel relaxed and comfortable in my skin. I think I'm going to be dancing on tables when I'm 50. I really hope I am. Karen Elson dancing taken thinking I constantly have a devil on my shoulder telling me that what I'm doing is really horrible, and then somehow the lightning strike happens and everything comes together. I've just realized I have to live with that devil on my shoulder a little bit more. Karen Elson horrible devil together Having children, you have so much more structure in your life. The open-endedness of being a single woman is gone, you know? It's sort of like, from 1 P.M. to 3 P.M. the kids are going to take a nap, so now I have time to sit down and write the lyrics, or once they're put to bed, I have a few hours to focus on those things. I need that. It's a very strange process, really - I can never predict what's going to happen. It always feels uncomfortable and awkward. Karen Elson writing kids children We all know people who are ridiculously famous, and it's a scary thing because all of the sudden people - even the people you are close to - stop being honest with you, stop telling you the truth. Karen Elson honest scary people As a model I had a lot of success when I was 17 and 18 years old. It was before social media, before the world was what the world is, but even then it was terrifying, to be 18 years old and people knowing who you are, and I was this personality who was completely devoid of who I actually was. It was almost like being a manufactured boy band. You're sort of like a wind up doll; they wind you up and put you on the runway or something like that. Karen Elson media boys years Not to get too depressing, I've always been a slight whirling dervish in my life. I've always been at once a very spritely and energetic hilarious lady, but at the same time there is an equal dark side that's as comparable to the jovial - constantly walking on the high wire trying to figure out who to be each day. Karen Elson depressing dark trying I've not met one person, even if they are not creative, who isn't dysfunctional. I guess artists are just a bit more aware of their dysfunction because it serves a purpose. Karen Elson dysfunction creative artist I really don't like conference calls to be honest. It's always something that bloody happens with a conference call - universally never works out. Karen Elson conferences honest work-out
