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.

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.

It's hard to find normal celebrities.

I respect country music because I feel like it's more about the talent and the songwriting.

Nobody's going to tell me that my dog doesn't love me. That's crazy talk.

I've been surfing once in my entire life and I wasn't terrible at it, but my love for music is like the Hamilton family loves water. I understand it - but I'll stick to music.

If I can convince others that there is a God and that they need to know Him, then I have done my job.