For many years, I struggled with how I felt about myself. I hid and harbored very self-destructive eating issues, namely anorexia, which at its worst caused me to lose half of my hair and brought my weight down dramatically.

The biggest ingredient in a best friend is someone whose actions you respect and who you can truly be yourself around.

I want to speak up and tell you that mascara and clothes don't make you cool, neither do name-brand handbags, but being a leader can.

I just always loved to perform and I was lucky enough to be in front of the right people at the right time!

Picking a best friend who stands up for what she believes in, is true to herself and allows you to be yourself without judgement of how 'cool' you are? Well, now you're picking a friend for life.

I encourage all of you to seek out teachers and mentors that challenge you to think for yourself and guide you to find your own voice.

Taking away from someone else will never make you any better.