It's been quite a roller coaster ride, but I've grown and learned a lot about myself. The greatest thing is being able to interact with fans and touch people's lives... for that I give thanks.

• It's an amazing thing to say, 'I'm beautiful,' without feeling like you're cocky.
• I turned to music originally because of my past and needing a release or an outlet to get out anger or frustration or hurt.
• I love doing normal things - movies, shopping, going out with friends, writing, reading, taking hot bubble baths - that's a big one for relaxation. I also love to go to art and history museums.
• I don't think there is such a thing as being too raunchy when it comes to the art form of burlesque.
• Blues and soul and jazz music has so much pain, so much beauty of raw emotion and passion.
• Whatever I do, it's my business. It's not my job to parent America.
• It can be hard in this business, especially when you're very young, to figure out who you can and can't trust.
• It's been a joy to be a part of other people's journey, to be able to inspire and be a part of new singers coming up in this business.
• In order to effect great change, we need to look at how we can help those in our own communities as well as globally.
• Right now I'm pretty single... My career is my boyfriend.