My mom had a job, and she also took care of us, and she also took care of Dad - I always saw her pulling triple duty, doing more than I ever felt like she needed to. I made a promise to myself that it would be more of a team effort in my family someday. And because of that, I became more independent.

[When] opportunities present themselves, I take them. It's just how I roll!

Writing down everything I eat makes such a difference, because you never realize how much you're consuming unless you read it later in the day.

I've grown up a lot. I've become more independent. I can talk to my parents more like friends. When I was going to college, I was still only an hour away from them.Now, after Idol and touring all over the place, I feel like I have become a lot more independent.

I have no attention span. I get bored so fast.

I think Nashville could use some better shopping!

And all the things that break you are all the things that make you strong. You can't change the past 'Cause it's gone, and you just gotta move on.