A lot of people are afraid to face themselves, especially when something goes wrong. But that's important, because if something happens within a relationship, it could be how you're allowing someone else to treat you.

Just the whole concept of burlesque, I've always been fascinated with it. I've always collected so many books about burlesque.

I went through my first big breakup, with a boyfriend who I had been with for more than two years. He had been one of my dancers, and it was my first love and his.

I am Ecuadorian but people felt so safe passing me off as a skinny, blue-eyed white girl.

Mormons aren't gonna buy my album but, you know, what are you gonna do?

I've been through my highs, I've been through my lows; I've been through the gamut of all things in this business. Being too thin. Being bigger. I've been criticized for being on both sides of the scale. It's noise I block out automatically. I love my body.

When you're seventeen years old, green and inexperienced, you're grateful for any guidance and direction you can get.