I've just never cared what people think. It's more if I'm happy and I'm confident and feeling good, that's always been my thing.

Everyone says I'm like the girl next door... Y'all must have really weird neighbors!

I love dressing up and doing the red carpet every once in a while, but I am very much a jeans kinda girl, so it's all a little embarrassing for me.

The question I love to get asked is: 'What's the hardest part of your job?' And literally, the answer is probably real sad, but it's to just to be me. Like, it's really hard, because I think people, you know, have a set idea of what a pop star should be.

I have a big fear of change, or negative change, anyway. I'm basically the same person I was when I won 'Idol,' or when I was 10.

Oh, there's all these rumors that I'm a lesbian. I have a boyfriend now, Brandon Blackstock; my manager Narvel's son, Reba McEntire's stepson.

My experiences remind me that it's those black clouds that make the blue skies even more beautiful.