Arts·Quotes

The 10 best arts quotes of the week, from Beyoncé to Grimes

A quote doesn't have to make sense to be newsworthy, at least if you're Beyoncé. The pop star's latest cryptic announcement leads this week's round-up of arts and entertainment soundbites.

You can grab the world's attention with 11 small words... if you're Beyoncé

When the world gives you a nonsensical Beyoncé quote, make #Lemonade. (Ivy Park)
A quote doesn't have to make sense to be newsworthy, at least if you're Beyoncé. The pop star's latest cryptic announcement leads this week's round-up of arts and entertainment soundbites.


"What am I gonna do, love, what am I gonna do?"

With those 11 words and an Instagram post, Beyoncé got the world furiously speculating over her latest move. CBC News has more on the pop star's latest video promo, #LEMONADE.

James Franco arrives at the Comedy Central Roast of James Franco at The Culver Studios on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013 in Culver City, Calif. (Dan Steinberg/Invision/The Associated Press)

"People get weird when actors go into the art world. They get weird when actors go into politics. Not that it keeps actors from doing it, or running for president."

James Franco discusses his art career in the latest issue of New York magazine.

Laura Jane Grace of the band Against Me publicly came out as transgender in 2012. The group is bucking toward boycotting North Carolina and performing there to protest a controversial law. ( Brian Ach/Invision/The Associated Press)

"When you feel targeted as a trans person, the natural inclination is to go into hiding. But visibility is more important than ever; to go there and have the platform of a stage to stand on and speak your mind and represent yourself."

While musicians including Bruce Springsteen and Mumford & Sons are cancelling their North Carolina tour dates in protest of the state's anti-LGBT legislation, trans musician Laura Jane Grace says her band Against Me! also plans to protest the law — by performing there.

Cameron Diaz at the premiere of What to Expect When You're Expecting in 2012.

"One of the wonderful things about getting older and having experience is that you have something to share with people."

Cameron Diaz talks to CBC News about The Longevity Book, the follow-up to her best-selling self-help title The Body Book.

Dan Auerbach, left, and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys pose in the press room at the 31st Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Barclays Center on Friday, April 8, 2016, in New York. (Greg Allen/Invision/Associated Press)

"The whole process was unpleasant. And for Pat and I, honestly, the most unpleasant part was being around him."

Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys tells Rolling Stone about their experience inducting Steve Miller into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At the ceremony, Miller tore into the Hall of Fame and the entire music industry, saying that it's full of "gangsters and crooks" and other names we can't print.

Talented Canadian songwriter Simon Wilcox has written for the likes of Nick Jonas, Josh Groban and Britney Spears. (Ben Jamieson/CBC)

"I liken being a songwriter for other people to… being a good bra, which means you lift and support."

Ottawa-raised musician Simon Wilcox has written songs with Nick Jonas and Britney Spears and she talked all about it with q.

Shad is flanked by Cheap Trick founding members Tom Petersson, left, and Rick Nielsen in studio q. (Ben Jamieson/CBC)

"We've grown old but not up!"

Veteran rockers Cheap Trick on CBC Radio's q.

Writer Carmen Aguirre. (CBC)

"I believe that to be a writer (or an actor, or any kind of artist) it really must be your calling. I don't believe that you choose writing, I believe that it chooses you."

Carmen Aguirre, author of Something Fierce and Mexican Hooker #1, does the CBC Books Magic 8 Q&A.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus arrives at Paleyfest 2014 in Los Angeles. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/Associated Press)

"I was on [Saturday Night Live] for three years, and when I left, I made this conscious decision that I would not take any jobs that didn't seem as if they would be really fun. … I'm not doing this unless I can have a deep sense of happiness while doing it. I've applied that, moving forward, and it's worked."

Julia Louis-Dreyfus tells the New York Times what she learned from her run on SNL, years she looks back on "fondly-ish."

Grimes plays Day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, April 16, 2016. (Getty Images)

"I will say that I've been in numerous situations where male producers would literally be like, 'We won't finish the song unless you come back to my hotel room.' If I was younger or in a more financially desperate situation, maybe I would have done that. I don't think there are few female producers because women aren't interested. It's difficult for women to get in. It's a pretty hostile environment."

Montreal musician Grimes shares some uncomfortable truths about her experience in the music industry with Rolling Stone.

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