I always had an idea for what I wanted to do in the future and throughout my career. This wasn't, like, me figuring out what to do after Idol. I've always known the steps in what I had to do to get where I was.

My friends are mostly familiar with music that plays on the mainstream radio.

When I found out that I was going to be singing with Jennifer Holliday, I literally freaked out! I grew up listening to her, and I was going to cry because I sang with someone who is a huge inspiration to me.

Even though it was a stressful time in my life, I have a lot of good memories from my Idol experience.

Do not let anything get in your way of chasing your dreams.

I was 16-years-old when I appeared on 'American Idol,' and the show was my boot camp. It was a crazy, stressful at times, experience.

I was born in America, but I consider myself a Filipino.