My mother taught me that we all have the power to achieve our dreams. What I lacked was the courage.
I kind of had my life planned out for me. I’d be married at some point, have, you know, 1.5 children, and be a principal possibly one day. But I think that that was kind of my problem. I allowed myself to plan out my life and didn’t let provident direction guide my life.
But I was going to be a teacher my entire life, so I wasn’t counting on money to much.
It’s not the money. It’s not the fame. It’s the influence.
UNICEF is working for the survival of children worldwide. What can we do to get more Americans committed to the cause?
In my ideal world, no child would suffer. Charitable instincts would prevail. There would be global acceptance of all different types of people.
And I don’t think that success can be measured by how many TV shows you’re on.
I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn’t raised that way, and I’m not going to raise a child to do that.
I did get a degree in special education.
I was on TV for almost sixteen weeks during American Idol. It’s at the point now where it’s old.
I had the greatest time on Broadway and made friends I never expected to make!
I’d hate to have a job where I had to be rude to people.
A song is like a smile. If you meet people from another country, even if you don’t speak the same language, you know what a smile means. A song works the same way. Music produces feelings that need no translation.
I thought about that the other day after I went to the grocery store and had to sign fifteen autographs before leaving. On one hand, it’s just so flattering. On the other hand, sometimes it would be nice to get the bread and leave, you know?
Well, fortunately we found out that the runner-up our particular year was going to get a record contract also. So it was kind of a – it was bitter sweet but it was an opportunity.
Pain happens to everyone. To grow up, to fulfill your potential, to develop into what God wants you to be-this process takes support. No one succeeds alone.
I like to talk. I’m a terrible dancer. I love my hometown. I have freckles and oversized ears. I’m a geeks. I have tried not to hide who I am or what matters to me.
As long as you’re living right, then you don’t have to worry about what people see.
It’s a whole team of people working 24 hours around the clock to make me look like this.
I am never going to sound like Johnny Mathis.
Working with children with autism has provided me with an opportunity to see the world in a different way. I see them strive to overcome obstacles and persevere, and learn to persevere myself. They are my inspiration.