I grew up in a sport that didn't allow you to grow up. There was always the threat of younger competition. So you had to maintain the image of youth.

Actually, performing is a lot like golf. You are alone, so vulnerable.

In high school I never went to the prom because I was too consumed with gymnastics. Also, with my hair in pigtails and looking about 10, I wasn't exactly date material.

I will jump into most any role.

An athlete learns how to hold her breath, but that doesn't work in singing. You have to learn to relax.

It's that athlete's obsessiveness - the need to prove yourself and work harder than anybody else. I think it's what helped me do well in the theater.

There's no disgrace in failure, the disgrace is not to try.