When I realized I was having trouble reading, I was too embarrassed to ask for help. Some teachers believed in me, but I just wasn't focused on school - I was into the music and trying to please my dad.

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.'

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

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 been through some things but I worked hard to get to where I'm at.

It's always good when you can bring two artists together who are totally different.