I loved performing every week, but all of the activities and amazing people we met when we were not filming stick out to me the most.

I focused more on sharing my gift and performing than worrying about it being a competition.

I am extremely grateful for my 'American Idol' experience, and I enjoyed every bit of it.

My songs always tend to have a good element to the story. That is who I am - an optimistic person.

My songwriting and overall approach to music go beyond just good singing and strong musicality - I want people, now more so than ever, to feel something and be moved somehow by the content I create.

Even in the sad songs, I want people to know that it won't always be like that.

Ordering pizza and jamming out with the contestants in our hotels and traveling the country together brought me so much joy.