I was keenly aware that I didn't want to draw on too many typically doomed aspects of the fated singer. Whether it's Judy Garland or Norma Desmond, there is this tragic quality to older women that one can revel in, and you want it to be more three-dimensional than that. So it was important for the character to be strong and resilient, because there are so many victims in opera.

My dad and I have always been somewhat competitive.

The artist who gave me the most inspiration and direction, especially as a singer - and I absolutely consider myself a singer, 100 percent - is Nina Simone. She's my ultimate pianist-singer-type person.

I really do fear that I'm dying I really do fear that I'm dead I saw it in your eyes what I'm looking for I saw it in your eyes what will make me live.

I came out of the closet very young, and I had to cut my teeth pretty fast.

I think everybody identified at a pretty young age that I was fairly entranced with myself. And that I had to be tempered.

There is this church that I go to a lot in New York. I'm not religious but I love lighting candles and stuff. I find it useful.