Blues and soul and jazz music has so much pain, so much beauty of raw emotion and passion.

My elementary school days were miserable. After Star Search, the jealousy got really bad that our neighbors slashed our tires.

I'm a bit of a night owl because that's when I feel the most creative and alive.

You can never be too perfect, too thin, too curvy. I'm very confident and happy with my body.

If I was having a bad day, or if something was really getting me down -- boy troubles, whatever -- I wanted to go out and get a new piercing. It was definitely a release for me. Something that made me feel a little more strong or empowered. Because it was something that had to do with me and no one else.

I think it's a given that people know what I can do vocally.

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.