I would tell myself, "Love yourself and don't be afraid to take risks." I was often afraid to take risks, socially, because I was young and a little more shy and still figuring out who I wanted to be. Sometimes I look back and think, "I should have just been bolder and more confident."

As a nation - and as a world - we need more truth.

I'm honestly not a great gift giver. I could give better - my girlfriends have always complained about that.

Marvin Gaye was one of the coolest. I look to him as a style icon and as an artist.

I thought it would be funny to take a photo in the White House bathroom, I take pictures everywhere I go, but I don't think I can top that one.

I have a structured songwriting process. I start with the music and try to come up with musical ideas, then the melody, then the hook, and the lyrics come last. Some people start with the lyrics first because they know what they want to talk about and they just write a whole bunch of lyrical ideas, but for me the music tells me what to talk about.

I've written good love songs when I have been in love and I've written good love songs when I haven't.