If your family - just because they're blood doesn't mean that they necessarily give you the best advice.

When I perform in front of large audiences, I'm much more comfortable, because I've already performed in front of tiny audiences - which is much harder, honestly. The smaller you strip things down, the more you depend on the songs and yourself, as opposed to arrangements.

Only joy comes from song.

I'm very blessed to have a phenomenal husband, son, and beautiful family and friends around me.

I've always been very private, maybe because I discovered my mother, who is a wonderful lady, is very emotional.

I've seen so many lives turn around from the impossible. I have come to embrace the idea that even the simplest act of understanding, love and attention can produce the biggest results.

I have my mother who is an Irish-Italian, and my father who is African, so I have the taste buds of an Italian and the spice of an African.