Being Latin parents makes us extremely expressive with our affections.

There are so many difficult things we're living through in the world today, so many horrible events, but we cannot let them stop us. No matter what happens, I feel you must move forward with optimism and not get totally sideswiped.

Having felt people's love and support first hand through difficult moments in my life makes me feel it's our responsibility to help one another.

I wrote poetry, which got me into lyrics. Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Elton John pulled me into pop. I started singing with a band - just for fun - when I was 17. And pretty soon, I was thinking I could sing pop in English as well as Spanish.

As an artist, you dream about accumulating enough successful music to someday do just one greatest-hits album, but to reach the point where you're releasing your second collection of hits is beyond belief.

You don't have to give up who you are to be successful just because you're different.

Love you all the time, 'cause when I close my eyes, I still can see your smile, it's bright enough to light my life