I talk openly about my past and what I've gone through - abuse being something that was very real in my household, and a lot of chaos growing up as a child. I think that I naturally just gravitated towards music that I could really feel on a deep level - and that meant sadness. I was able to connect with that at a really young age.

When I learned how millions of children go to bed hungry, my only response was, 'What can I do to help?'

Some people are only alive because it is illegal to kill.

I was 21. At the time, I was under the thumb of my label, and I felt like I had to do, say and act out everything they asked me to do. I was trying to please them and the public and finally I had to say, "Enough. I'm going to make a record that makes me happy and addresses all facets of being a woman. I don't care if I sell one or one million records." That's how I came to make Stripped.

I'm not one that just throws music out there to keep it coming, and all that. I believe in the craft, and the time it takes to really nurture something and put a lot of effort into the details.

I've always been inspired even more by any naysayers to keep going for what I really want and they've almost been my inspiration many times more so than any positive people around me to conquer.

I enjoy real people, down-to-earth people who are true to themselves and honest to your face - good or bad.