On differentiating herself from the other pop princesses:
"You've got GaGa, who's like, from outer space; you've got Ke$ha, who's the beer-drinking, house-party girl; and then you've got Rihanna, who's transforming the urban world into her own outer space. But I feel like you're missing an Alanis Morissette, in 2010. I love how she was a voice for a lot of people who couldn't explain their feelings. But it's not like I'm not gonna compete. I love a good dose of healthy competition. It's not going to be the same that they're doing…"

On how she's really just Taylor Swift:
"Sometimes I really feel like I'm more of a Taylor Swift. She tells stories, and I think that's why she resonates with a lot of people. She hits the hidden chord in them [where they say], 'Oh my God, I've been through that too,' or 'You said it in a way I could never explain.'"

On how she had to go through the five stages of GaGa to reach OBSESSION:
"When I heard The Fame Monster, I was like, 'What the fuck is she talking about - teeth and he ate my heart and monster and dance in the dark and shit?' I thought she was such a shock jock. Then I saw her on the American Music Awards, and I was like, 'You're an animal of another kind, and we need you!' She's amazing. She's an entertainer, a visual arts. And her lyrics do mean things when you actually break them down.

On her British boo:
"Love has really affected [my songwriting]. I know how to handle a man now. So it's talking about the love rather than, you know, being annoyed with boys. He's like Jim Morrison meets Charles Manson meets Jesus meets a little bit of Elvis. He's a walking genius. Just standing next to him makes me smarter. He's good for me. He's not a pussy in any way, shape or form. He's the boss; he calls the shots. But I like that. I've been waiting for someone I couldn't steamroll."