Growing up in the public spotlight and having insecurities like every other girl, I really know what it's like to feel self-conscious.

I am not going to talk about my personal life anymore. You have to learn that lesson sometime.

I definitely am looking to do some more dramatic roles; I'd love to do a period piece. I'm just getting started; I feel like there's a whole wealth of options out there to try my hand at.

When two people - regardless of gender - long to care for each other, to protect each other, to treasure each other, we should do everything we can to foster that.

When people come up to me and say, 'You made it,' I think, 'But I'm not done yet. Not everyone's heard my music.' I want to be a household name.

I would never discredit anyone that is working their way up on a show like "American Idol." I think they work so hard overcoming all of the obstacles to get on the show in the first place and then every week they are judged in front of all of America... I give them complete credit for getting up on stage... I think they deserve all the success that they get.

I take advantage of the opportunities that have come my way. I think I've lucked out that I've never been thrust in the spotlight where people wanted to dissect every aspect of my life. I've been given a lot of distance and respect. It's allowed me the best of both worlds. I have the job of my dreams, but I also have the freedom that doesn't always come with it. I feel very lucky in that sense.