I was a theater dork in high school and did all the plays. My theater teacher in high school, Janet Spahr, was absolutely incredible and mentored me throughout school. She taught me a lot about relying on my instincts.

I knew from a young age that I wanted to perform. I went to an arts camp called Brookdale Arts Camp, in New Jersey, from the time I was 6, and then I was a counselor there through high school.

TV was my life, growing up. I ran home from school to watch television, and even did my homework with the TV on - my mom had a rule that as long as my grades didn't fall, I was allowed to. So it was my dream to work in television.

There is always a reason. When I look back on things that really upset me at the moment, I can always see why it happened in retrospect.

My grandmother always would say, "This, too, shall pass." It is always true.

My fear is that, had I stayed in Jersey, I would have become Snooki because I'm just a bottle of hair dye away.

I usually need to sit with pain a while. Really feel it. Then I need to talk it out. Luckily, I am surrounded by wonderful listeners who haven't told me to shut up yet.