In life, there is always that special person who shapes who you are, who helps to determine the person you become.

It's the universal feeling that we all are alone - that we're all different. I think the movie's one resounding theme is that everybody feels the same, and we're all alone together. Some people come up to me on the street and thank me for helping them get through their teen years.

I can't' really sing a song unless I really connect with the lyrics.

I grew up in a home filled with music and had an early appreciation of jazz since my dad was a jazz musician. Beginning at around age three I started singing with his band and jazz music has continued to be one of my three passions along with acting and writing. I like to say jazz music is my musical equivalent of comfort food. It's always where I go back to when I want to feel grounded.

I think when people hear about a celebrity writing a book of any kind, the assumption is that it was dictated to a ghostwriter.

I never really felt like I belonged in California.

Getting the pretty back is about getting back in touch with your essential self: the part of you that knows what you really want.