I definitely caught a lot of backlash in my situation, not just from students but also from faculty, which was unfortunate, given that I was spending a lot of my time outside school working on a career, which a lot of people didn't really agree with.

I went to a public high school that had a very small graduating class of 156 students. I lived a relatively normal childhood until I turned probably around 16. Things started to take off career-wise.

With any character, the main objective is to bring authenticity to the role.

I want to keep everyone happy but at the same time I also have to be confident with what I'm putting out and be secure with it.

My mother was not the cook in the family. My dad was. I'd watch him behind the grill, and I said, 'If I ever make it and have enough money, I'm going to make sure I dine in the best restaurants.'

Kids are pretty brutal.

I went to school every day, like everyone else, and I played baseball for my high school team. I was a part of a lot of different activities outside of school.