I graduated high school and I didn't have a skill set and I didn't want to go to college. I needed a job.

That's always been my philosophy: I try to just be as straightforward as possible, and then I don't really have to question what I said or regret anything.

I do believe that you don't have to act like a man to be strong. You can still be feminine.

I was a pretty scrappy, tough kid; I got in all sorts of fights at school. I defended myself - boys didn't mess with me. But as one of seven children, you have to fight for everything anyway.

Moving out to L.A. for me was a leap of faith. I was very secure in my dinner theater world; I loved it, and I was just like, 'I think there's something else out there for me and I just have to go for it.'

I like Cinderella - she has a good work ethic and she likes shoes.

I come from musical theater, and a lot of musical theater is about accepting fantasy. I think it is more about just being open and accepting.