Being a part of SKECHERS is exciting. It is such a hip company with a great attitude and image.

There's a lot of things that are said on the American Idol message board. I quit reading them because most of the people are very mean.

I'd sleep in a little, work out, do laundry, run errands, buy presents for people with birthdays coming up. I like it when I don't have to be anywhere, and anything I do is my choice.

So many people always try to help me carry my luggage and help me do things I can do myself. If I can do it myself, I'm going to do it myself. I'm not going to let other people do it for me, and I think that's a big part of where I came from. I'm not a real prissy girl.

I wondered how people would take me being a country music singer. I thought about deviating from that and singing other things. But... it doesn't really make sense for me to try to be something that I'm not.

A brand is a little different. Me, as Carrie the person, wanders around in sweatpants. And then, when I have to be Carrie Underwood, there is definitely a departure from your human side. It's good to make that separation from person to brand.

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