When you're young, it's so easy to get bull-dozed.

Etta James is my all-time favorite singer. I've said it in every interview, in every story, in every on- and off-camera question. That music was always such a huge escape for me, even from a young age.

All I want to do is be normal. But really, it's other people who won't let me be that way.

It's important for someone who's dealt with violence to be able to talk to someone, no matter who it is. So I'm vocal about how I feel. That's how I've worked through a lot of my problems.

Basically, what I'm saying is there is nothing fake about what I do. I'm up-front, I'm real, I'm honest and I'm open with my feelings.

I turned to music originally because of my past and needing a release or an outlet to get out anger or frustration or hurt.

The roughest road often leads to the top.