I was brought up in a household of chaos and I never felt stable at home. At a really young age, I decided I was never going to feel helpless, I was never going to feel weak around a man, and I was never going to rely on anyone. Independence was a big, big thing for me.

I was very pushed to look a certain way and act a certain way, and it wasn't me, but I played by their rules to get my foot in the door.

There was no way in hell I was going to jeopardize my baby for my show.

I got along better with the guys than with the girls. Only two girls came up to talk to me. Later I found out they were telling their boyfriends, 'If you talk to her, I'll kill you.' It's always rough with that high school thing.

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

I am very honest, even in interviews.

You've got to make a decision: Are you going to go down with the situation, or are you going to focus and succeed? My dream...kept me going.