Ariana Grande could probably use a nap. She just opened the MTV Video Music Awards, dropped her sophomore album, My Everything (out Aug. 25), and starred in the new video for her Jessie J and Nicki Minaj collaboration, “Bang Bang” — all in the span of two days.

Earlier this summer, TIME caught up with Grande to get an explanation for the nonsyncikal lyrics of her summer hit “Break Free.” Now, read the rest of our interview with the pop star as she chats about her favorite emoji, her love of the ’90s and what people just don’t understand about her.Ariana Grande: There was no mischief or pranking, but it was definitely a fun experience. She’s a lot taller — I had to stand on a box for our shots together. I [was] like, “I need a ladder over here.”

So what are you breaking free from in “Break Free”?

It is a great breakup song, but for me, personally, I didn’t have a boy to sing it about because I’m not breaking up with anybody. I sang it about my personal things that are holding me back, my fears, certain negativities in my life that were holding me back. Things I was afraid of like, ego and fear and all of that. I wanted to break free from all that I felt like was making me enjoy my life a little less.

It shows off your dance-diva side. What are your go-to moves in the club?

It’s hard to describe it. There’s a lot of strutting to the beat. There’s a lot of sitting down and leg-kicking and voguing and posing and hair flipping involved.

Oh my God, we don’t have the time, there are so many.

Please describe the emoji that best represent you.

There’s a brunette, severed head with the driest expression of all time on her face, and I really like that one. I feel like I relate to it. After that, I put the thinking bubble emoji followed by the boy emoji so it’s girl-thinking-of-boy. I really like that combination. There’s a navy blue square with stars in it, and it’s supposed to look like the universe. I really like that one as well.