If I had the opportunity to speak to a young immigrant girl that just arrived to the U.S. the advice I would have for her would be: ask, speak, search; because there are opportunities out there. And, know that you aren't the only immigrant or the last to come to this country. Many that have come before you have succeeded. It is possible.

My mother never let on that anything was wrong. She kept her chin up and acted as if everything were just fine. So we did too.

I made a living out of singing Mexican music.

My inspiration is always what I think my fans want to listen to. I often write about social problems. If I'm not going through it or I haven't gone through it, I want to make sure it touches someone. That's what I base my music on.

My ass is big because a lot of people have to kiss it.

No one else has ever opened doors for me - I opened them myself.

I've been recording since 1993. It was a hobby for six of those years. In 1999, I decided to do it full time and take it seriously.