--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not a pop singer; I'm not a jazz…" description: "\"I'm not a pop singer; I'm not a jazz singer. And I know I sing like not a whole lot of people do; I also know that a lot of other people act like I do...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_i-m-not-a-pop-singer-i-m-not-a-jazz-sing_1674399.jpg" --- # I'm not a pop singer; I'm not a jazz singer. And I know I… ![“I'm not a pop singer; I'm not a jazz singer. And I know I sing like not a whole lot of people do; I also know that a lot of other people act like I do. And better than I do. But what informs the singing is the acting. They're not separate from each other.” quote by Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_i-m-not-a-pop-singer-i-m-not-a-jazz-sing_1674399.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_i-m-not-a-pop-singer-i-m-not-a-jazz-sing_1674399.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/721/brian-stokes-mitchell-6113_acting_i-m-not-a-pop-singer-i-m-not-a-jazz-sing_1674399.jpg) > “I'm not a pop singer; I'm not a jazz singer. And I know I sing like not a whole lot of people do; I also know that a lot of other people act like I do. And better than I do. But what informs the singing is the acting. They're not separate from each other.” [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Singing and acting are inseparable; performance is an expression of lived experience, not a separate skill. **In simple terms:** Singing is acting, acting is singing. Key Takeaway Blend authentic emotion with technique. Themes performance authenticity artistic expression Mood thoughtful inspirational Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - stage shows - recording - acting workshops - voice training Key Concepts theatre music identity Questions to Reflect On - How does your personal story shape your performance? - Can you separate technique from emotion when needed? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on authenticity may limit technical mastery. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Informs Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/informs-singing-893864/) [Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Know Sing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-sing-356564/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Singer Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singer-know-893863/) [Singing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singing/) [Singing Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singing-acting/) ## Related quotes > [Through my singing and acting and speaking, I want to make freedom ring. Maybe I can touch people's hearts better than I can their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/through-my-singing-and-acting-and-speaking-i-want-to-make-freedom/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [From a very young age, I was singing and acting and performing for my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-dubrow/from-a-very-young-age-i-was-singing-and-acting-and-performing-for-my/) [Heather Dubrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-dubrow/) > [Singing and acting suit me. 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You know those children who are like, 'I'm gonna be a pop star,' and they sound amazing from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigrid/i-was-not-a-good-singer-you-know-those-children-who-are-like-i-m/) [Sigrid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigrid/) > [My fans -- when I see them somewhere, outside my concerts -- I get that, that vibe. They're really supporting my projects and everything,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarkan/my-fans-when-i-see-them-somewhere-outside-my-concerts-i-get-that-that/) [Tarkan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarkan/) > [I didn't even know I could sing or write songs. I didn't have that education. But people shouldn't think they can look down on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-murs/i-didn-t-even-know-i-could-sing-or-write-songs-i-didn-t-have-that/) [Olly Murs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-murs/) > [Oh, I know I can sing. What I really want to be is an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-presson-allen/oh-i-know-i-can-sing-what-i-really-want-to-be-is-an-actress/) [Jay Presson Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-presson-allen/) > [It would be awesome to know how to sing and be some sort of performer; to feed off other's people's energy is intense. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-viall/it-would-be-awesome-to-know-how-to-sing-and-be-some-sort-of-performer/) [Nick Viall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-viall/) > [I used to sing when I was younger. I left it alone for a long time, 'cause I was like, I don't even know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dreezy/i-used-to-sing-when-i-was-younger-i-left-it-alone-for-a-long-time/) [Dreezy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dreezy/) > [Not to say that music today doesn't have heart, but it's really few and far between because technology has advanced itself so much that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-aguilera/not-to-say-that-music-today-doesn-t-have-heart-but-it-s-really-few/) [Christina Aguilera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-aguilera/) ## More by Brian Stokes Mitchell > [Stay as connected as you can. Sometimes that means you're going to do a job that may not pay you much but may give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/stay-as-connected-as-you-can-sometimes-that-means-you-re-going-to-do/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [Cabaret presents different challenges, as it is all on me. I love having the freedom to say anything you want - do anything you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/cabaret-presents-different-challenges-as-it-is-all-on-me-i-love/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I love doing theater. It's what I grew up in and is my roots. I get a huge fulfillment from it. But if my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-love-doing-theater-it-s-what-i-grew-up-in-and-is-my-roots-i-get-a/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > ['Kiss Me, Kate' was my 'Ragtime' Tony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/kiss-me-kate-was-my-ragtime-tony/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I've always felt that my career was in wiser hands than mine. Whatever, in its good time, is supposed to happen will happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-ve-always-felt-that-my-career-was-in-wiser-hands-than-mine-whatever/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I started out on the stage, then I had a great career in television for quite a few years. The good news about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-started-out-on-the-stage-then-i-had-a-great-career-in-television/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [My favorite music is jazz, actually. It's what I listen to, it's what I was raised on, and it's what I prefer to sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/my-favorite-music-is-jazz-actually-it-s-what-i-listen-to-it-s-what-i/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I love the theater, and I just don't love television like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-love-the-theater-and-i-just-don-t-love-television-like-that/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [You need raw talent to be successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/you-need-raw-talent-to-be-successful/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I always say it takes three weeks to know a character and three months to own it. And I think that's probably true of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-always-say-it-takes-three-weeks-to-know-a-character-and-three/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [Oddly enough, I almost never listen to show tunes. But there are some shows I love, like Adam Guettel's 'Floyd Collins.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/oddly-enough-i-almost-never-listen-to-show-tunes-but-there-are-some/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I like being different people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-like-being-different-people/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I kind of feel the career chose me. My motto has always been, 'Go where I'm wanted.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-kind-of-feel-the-career-chose-me-my-motto-has-always-been-go-where/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [I'm one of the few lucky actors in the world. I've never waited tables. I never pumped gas. I've always earned a living. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/i-m-one-of-the-few-lucky-actors-in-the-world-i-ve-never-waited-tables/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) > [Through most of my life, music has been like a radio that plays and plays in my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stokes-mitchell/through-most-of-my-life-music-has-been-like-a-radio-that-plays-and/) [Brian Stokes Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) [Explore all 100 Brian Stokes Mitchell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stokes-mitchell/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. 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