The day that I got the phone call to tell me that I booked ‘Glee’ I was shooting ‘CSI Miami.’ I was playing this heroin addict…I’d been on a million auditions where I sang and looked exactly the same way and didn’t do anything different. And so for this to be the one that popped it was just like what happened? It was the perfect timing and the perfect role for me. It was like everything came together.

Going to regular public high school and working and auditioning was really, really tough. I never really fit in and hit the stride that all the other kids were on. Instead of going out and hanging out with my friends at that age, I remember being in my bedroom and putting on like a Christina Aguilera tape and just like belting. And seeing if I could hit every single note just like her.

It's kind of cool—and it makes me feel like a badass. I get more girls than my boyfriend. They always tweet me about my booty.

Music is one of my greatest loves. I don't think I would be able to live without music in my life.

I can relate to girls with self esteem issues because growing up in this industry there is the side of you that is obsessed with perfection. You want to please everyone because if you don't, you won't get the job. There is always someone prettier, smarter, or a better actor that you. You start to nit-pick everything. That perfectionism kicks in and it can take over your life if you let it. You have to get comfortable with yourself. Then, if you get the job, it is an added bonus.

Aside from being a Latina, my family immigrated from Puerto Rico and Yugoslavia so I know all about that. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do today if they didn’t come to America. Everybody has an immigration story.

There are very few ethnic LGBT characters on television, so I am honored to represent them. I love supporting this cause, but it’s a big responsibility, and sometimes it’s a lot of pressure on me.