--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm really going off of watching John…" description: "\"I'm really going off of watching John Waters speak one time and I remember he just kind of talked and it was totally interesting. I wanted to hear abou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/826/kathleen-hanna-1726_interesting_i-m-really-going-off-of-watching-john-wa_243406.jpg" --- # I'm really going off of watching John Waters speak one… ![“I'm really going off of watching John Waters speak one time and I remember he just kind of talked and it was totally interesting. I wanted to hear about his life and how he got started and when did he think he made it, stupid stuff like that. And what his relationship with the mainstream is…” quote by Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/826/kathleen-hanna-1726_interesting_i-m-really-going-off-of-watching-john-wa_243406.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/826/kathleen-hanna-1726_interesting_i-m-really-going-off-of-watching-john-wa_243406.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/826/kathleen-hanna-1726_interesting_i-m-really-going-off-of-watching-john-wa_243406.jpg) > “I'm really going off of watching John Waters speak one time and I remember he just kind of talked and it was totally interesting. I wanted to hear about his life and how he got started and when did he think he made it, stupid stuff like that. And what his relationship with the mainstream is because he's so far out there, but then he became part of the mainstream in this weird way. He was really funny, though. Yeah, I have to work on my jokes.” [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on John Waters' unconventional path, curiosity about his origins, success, and his paradoxical relationship with mainstream culture. **In simple terms:** Wondering how an outsider becomes mainstream. Key Takeaway Explore origins of unconventional creators. Themes creativity culture success mainstream paradox Mood curious reflective Type analytical conversational When to use this quote - documentary filmmaking - stand‑up comedy - indie music - artistic branding - media interviews Key Concepts countercultural art celebrity dynamics authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What defines “making it” for outsiders? - How does mainstream influence creative freedom? A Different Perspective Mainstream acceptance can dilute original edge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interesting/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john-waters/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Made it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made-it/) [Mainstream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mainstream/) [Mainstream Weird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mainstream-weird-382807/) [One time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-time/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak/) [Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff/) [Stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupid/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) [Wanted Hear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-hear/) [Watching John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching-john-2435860/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Waters Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waters-speak-2435859/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Yeah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yeah/) ## Related quotes > [I have always been mainstream. It's so weird, because I don't see it as something negative at all. So many people see it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avicii/i-have-always-been-mainstream-it-s-so-weird-because-i-don-t-see-it-as/) [Avicii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avicii/) > [Other kids were watching John Elway. I was watching Tom Landry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lane-kiffin/other-kids-were-watching-john-elway-i-was-watching-tom-landry/) [Lane Kiffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lane-kiffin/) > [I wanted to make something that I wanted to hear that I wasn't hearing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/i-wanted-to-make-something-that-i-wanted-to-hear-that-i-wasn-t-hearing/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [John Waters is one of the sweetest, dearest, most adorable men I've ever worked with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-bergen/john-waters-is-one-of-the-sweetest-dearest-most-adorable-men-i-ve/) [Polly Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-bergen/) > [John Waters has certainly gotten to a place in his life where he doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do. He's always been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-witt/john-waters-has-certainly-gotten-to-a-place-in-his-life-where-he/) [Alicia Witt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-witt/) > [Artists, whether they're Tom Cruise or John Waters or Ron Howard or Oliver Stone, you can empower them to become a better version of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-grazer/artists-whether-they-re-tom-cruise-or-john-waters-or-ron-howard-or/) [Brian Grazer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-grazer/) > [I'd work for John Waters again, because he's so off the wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tab-hunter/i-d-work-for-john-waters-again-because-he-s-so-off-the-wall/) [Tab Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tab-hunter/) > [It was there that, through a mutual friend, I met John Waters - proving what I've always said: you meet the best people on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mink-stole/it-was-there-that-through-a-mutual-friend-i-met-john-waters-proving/) [Mink Stole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mink-stole/) > [John Waters is a genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/john-waters-is-a-genius/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) > [Every year I used to write a musical inspired by John Waters, and I would get all my friends together and put on this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-hegarty/every-year-i-used-to-write-a-musical-inspired-by-john-waters-and-i/) [Antony Hegarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-hegarty/) > [I actually did do a musical many years ago with John Waters called Cry-Baby, but technically it was only half me - it wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-actually-did-do-a-musical-many-years-ago-with-john-waters-called/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [I love John Waters. There's stuff in it that's beyond the boundaries of my taste, but his movies have always been like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracey-ullman/i-love-john-waters-there-s-stuff-in-it-that-s-beyond-the-boundaries/) [Tracey Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracey-ullman/) > [I love John Waters. You see, I want to be the next Divine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pia-zadora/i-love-john-waters-you-see-i-want-to-be-the-next-divine/) [Pia Zadora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pia-zadora/) > [I remember John Waters's 'Pink Flamingos,' that was the film where I realized you could do anything you want - there were no boundaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-levinson/i-remember-john-waters-s-pink-flamingos-that-was-the-film-where-i/) [Sam Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-levinson/) > [“Once I climb in, will they believe it’s me even if they know who I am, or think I’m just a John Waters impersonator?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/once-i-climb-in-will-they-believe-it-s-me-even-if-they-know-who-i-am/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) ## More by Kathleen Hanna > [There's still a lot of misogynist pop music out there, and I think that hearing something that's so explicitly feminist and so angry -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/there-s-still-a-lot-of-misogynist-pop-music-out-there-and-i-think/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [When I get stressed out my de-stress default is - not cat videos - but I just watch his surrogates. They're so entertaining. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/when-i-get-stressed-out-my-de-stress-default-is-not-cat-videos-but-i/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [In terms of men being feminist allies, it's just important to speak from your own place. I'd love to hear men singing about masculinity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/in-terms-of-men-being-feminist-allies-it-s-just-important-to-speak/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [ I got hit up for a tampon commercial and so I asked \[JD and Jo\] if they had anything. Jo sent that over and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/i-got-hit-up-for-a-tampon-commercial-and-so-i-asked-jd-and-jo-if-they/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [Clearly, gay marriage is on the top of the agenda right now. It's pretty amazing, considering where stuff was at when I was in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/clearly-gay-marriage-is-on-the-top-of-the-agenda-right-now-it-s/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [When you're the person who's kind of in charge of everything a lot of the time, it's sometimes nice to get bossed around. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/when-you-re-the-person-who-s-kind-of-in-charge-of-everything-a-lot-of/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [I've always talked a lot on stage - I really wanted to communicate my ideas and when you're playing at a lot of shitty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/i-ve-always-talked-a-lot-on-stage-i-really-wanted-to-communicate-my/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [I belive power can be used for good, I don't think every form of power is absolute evil. I wish I would have stepped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/i-belive-power-can-be-used-for-good-i-don-t-think-every-form-of-power/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [No one's female and male, we all have so many different traits. It's just a lie that these certain traits are male and these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/no-one-s-female-and-male-we-all-have-so-many-different-traits-it-s/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [I think that the Internet is really cool because a lot of young feminists don't feel like they have to reinvent the wheel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/i-think-that-the-internet-is-really-cool-because-a-lot-of-young/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [Every band I've been in, it's just become my total life. I feel like a child star - I've missed out on so much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/every-band-i-ve-been-in-it-s-just-become-my-total-life-i-feel-like-a/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [If I can't sing them myself, there's nothing better than writing songs for other people and watching them be performed. It's kind of more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/if-i-can-t-sing-them-myself-there-s-nothing-better-than-writing-songs/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [You feel like people are looking at you like, 'I wanted the old Kathleen. Where's the old Kathleen?' I felt that way in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/you-feel-like-people-are-looking-at-you-like-i-wanted-the-old/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [I don't want to waste the precious moments I have, and I've felt that way since I was 17. I have to take risks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/i-don-t-want-to-waste-the-precious-moments-i-have-and-i-ve-felt-that/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [Singing is my life, and I have to do it, or I'm going to go totally bananas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/singing-is-my-life-and-i-have-to-do-it-or-i-m-going-to-go-totally/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) [Explore all 213 Kathleen Hanna quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) ## More Interesting quotes > [Sometimes a sign or a quote is simply interesting by itself and does not require anything beyond being framed on a page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/sometimes-a-sign-or-a-quote-is-simply-interesting-by-itself-and-does/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [The faster you go, the shorter you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-faster-you-go-the-shorter-you-are/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [... Arthur Gride, whose bleared eyes gloated only over the outward beauties, and were blind to the spirit which reigned within, evinced - a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/arthur-gride-whose-bleared-eyes-gloated-only-over-the-outward/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [It is sort of interesting that in our society this days we are very quick to apply the term 'war' to places where thare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-schneier/it-is-sort-of-interesting-that-in-our-society-this-days-we-are-very/) [Bruce Schneier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-schneier/) > [If you do a black character or a female character or an Asian character, then they aren't just that character. They represent that race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-mcduffie/if-you-do-a-black-character-or-a-female-character-or-an-asian/) [Dwayne McDuffie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-mcduffie/) > [We're wired to expect the world to be brighter and more meaningful and more obviously interesting than it actually is. And when we realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/we-re-wired-to-expect-the-world-to-be-brighter-and-more-meaningful/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) > [Failure or success seems to have been allotted to men by their stars. But they retain the power of wriggling, of fighting with their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/failure-or-success-seems-to-have-been-allotted-to-men-by-their-stars/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life can be difficult sometimes, it gets bumpy. What with family and kids and things not going exactly like you planned. But that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-van-patten/life-can-be-difficult-sometimes-it-gets-bumpy-what-with-family-and/) [Joyce Van Patten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-van-patten/) > [Here are the good things about independent films: They do the more interesting, chancy scripts. They're run by love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-macy/here-are-the-good-things-about-independent-films-they-do-the-more/) [William H. Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-macy/) > [If you make something interesting, inevitably not everybody is going to like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rian-johnson/if-you-make-something-interesting-inevitably-not-everybody-is-going/) [Rian Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rian-johnson/) > [Groupon has some interesting assets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cohler/groupon-has-some-interesting-assets/) [Matt Cohler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cohler/) > [It's an interesting fact that fewer than 17 % of Real cats end their lives with the same name they started with. Much family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/it-s-an-interesting-fact-that-fewer-than-17-of-real-cats-end-their/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) [Browse all 9,270 Interesting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interesting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm really going off of watching John Waters speak one time and I remember he just kind of talked and it was totally interesting. I wanted to hear about his life and how he got started and when did he think he made it, stupid stuff like that. And what his relationship with the mainstream is because he's so far out there, but then he became part of the mainstream in this weird way. He was really funny, though. 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