My dad said to me, 'Work hard and be patient.' It was the best advice he ever gave me. You have to put the hours in.

Beyonce is good-looking. Jennifer Lopez is good-looking. Madonna used to be good-looking.

My life honestly isn't as weird as people think it is. I work longer hours, maybe I have a bit more money, but fundamentally, I'm not really that different.

You have an advantage if you win. I always think it's best to be remembered as a winner rather than as the runner-up. It's definitely more fun getting the gold than it is the silver.

I didn't realise how important stupid people are in your life, because you ask yourself, what made stupid people so stupid? What made them the way they are?

If we had to choose one American Idol to go out to dinner with, it would be Fantasia. There are no airs and graces about her. ... I like her.

At 20, you're cocky and you think you can rule the world, and you get it all wrong.