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

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

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 think my songwriting has developed over the years. As I get older, I have become less afraid to share real experiences.

I think my entire songwriting catalog reflects where I was in my life at the time. I capture whatever moment I am experiencing in life.

If I can help encourage or inspire someone out there who is struggling with some of the same or similar issues as myself, then I think it's worth talking about.

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