The world when I was 13 wasn't truly driven by tabloid magazines and social media and reality shows. I was able to have a little more of a private life.

There comes a time in every life we find the heart we're looking for.

I don't earn my money from trying to hurt people or get in the tabloids.

I think singing traditional country is wonderful, because I'm bringing it to my generation and to the younger kids.

I should try to be strong, but baby, you're the right kind of wrong.

We live in an epidemic of self-hatred. I see it daily with people coming at me, and they do it to everybody, it's not just me. The hatred is really stemming from them not liking themselves. When you look at it that way, I feel so much empathy and understanding for those people.

As a singer and songwriter, I have great admiration for many of the budding stars who come to try their hand at performing and can relate to the hopes and aspirations of all the contestants, no matter how good or bad.