When I'm out on the stage, it gives me this rush and anything that's on my mind and everything I'm going through is forgotten about.

I've been wanting to sing for a long time. I've been singing all my life, and I've tried different record companies, but it seemed like - it was such a struggle and so hard to get out there. So, I said, 'I'm gonna go on American Idol and see how far it takes me.'

I always say you've only got one life to live, and you're not promised a tomorrow. So, you might as well just have a good time with it.

I wanted people to see me, to change their minds about me.

I think my purpose was just to get out and sing. I love to sing. I wasn't even in it for the - you know, the prize. I was, like, 'Hey, man, I'm going to sing.

I guarantee that if you talk to some of the young ladies that are out on the street selling their bodies -if you sit them down and really talk to them - they'll tell you that they've been abused, physically and mentally. They go through this stage where they don't care, because you don't feel like you're worth anything.

I knew exactly what I was doing. You can't accidentally take a whole bottle of pills.