Question: Who has influenced your personal musical style?
Answer: I love listening to the older music artists like Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. Their songs are timeless and it's fun to listen to their songs and turn them around and rearrange them to make it your own.
Question: Who is your favorite male artist and why?
Answer: I loved Michael Jackson because he was probably the #1 influence in the male side of the music industry. He made the best variety of songs!
Question: Who is your favorite female artist and why?
Answer: I have a couple favorites: Beyonce, because she can sing, dance, act and she's an overall performer. She is a triple threat and I aspire to be like her. I also love Etta James, Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys.
Question: What was the first concert you attended?
Answer: My first concert was the Cheetah Girls and Hannah Montana Concert.
Question: If you could perform in any venue?
Answer: I wish I could open for a Leona Lewis concert because I like her singing style and singing like her.
Question: How has music inspired you?
Answer: It inspires me to think more deeply and notice things I've never noticed before. It opens my eyes and it helps me express myself.
Question: Do you have any formal singing training?
Answer: I actually have taken a couple singing lessons. Without the help of my lessons I wouldn't be the singer I am today.
Question: What album would your friends be surprised you own?
Answer: I actually have a couple of Disney Princess CD's.
Question: If you could perform with any person or group, who would it be and why?
Answer: I would perform with Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis, Christina Aguilera or Beyonce because they would be amazing mentors and would teach me a lot.
Question: What do you do to unwind after a performance?
Answer: I can never unwind! Ha-ha. I sing constantly. I have to always watch my performance back to see what I can do better next time.
Question: Which theme week would be most challenging to you and why?
Answer: I think the birth year is tough. The songs in my year, 1995, don't suit my voice to well.
Question: What theme week would you love to have for Season 11?
Answer: I would love to do a Mariah Carey theme.
Question: What's your dream song to perform?
Answer: I wanted to bring my audition song back. 'Something's Got A Hold On Me'.
Question: What makes a great performer?
Answer: Someone who relentlessly practices and has leadership and diligence.
Question: How do you combat stage fright?
Answer: I take tons of deep breaths and I always say that 'God has good plans for me' otherwise I wouldn't be in Top 13 right now.
Question: How do you plan on differentiating yourself in the competition?
Answer: I am different because I'm so tall and I can see from a bird's eye view.
Question: If you could model your career after an artist, who would it be and why?
Answer: Beyonce because I want to be a triple threat like her.
Question: If you couldn't sing, what other talent would you most like to have?
Answer: Volleyball player.
Question: What has been the most unique job/chore you've ever had?
Answer: Babysitting 7 kids (girls) about 5 years old each at a sleepover . . . that was interesting.
Question: How would you define success in life?
Answer: I would say that you should feel successful when what you do is your 'passion' and it's not 'work' to you.
Question: What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever seen or experienced??
Answer: When I was performing with my singing group on stage, I was dancing to 'Meet The Flintstones' and as I was dancing, my costume slipped right off down to the floor and I looked naked because I only had tan tights and a tan leotard on.
Question: What's your proudest moment in life outside of American Idol?
Answer: Learning how to harmonize.
Question: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Answer: I surprise myself every day and I can't wait to show everyone things I haven't done yet on the show.
Question: If you have 24 hours to do anything you wanted, what would you do?
Answer: Rent out the whole mall and get anything I wanted for FREE!
Question: Who is the person that you would most like to meet?
Answer: Beyonce.
Question: Do you have a favorite quote, phrase or personal motto / words to live by?
Answer: My dad always says 'if you're nervous and you have butterflies, make the butterflies fly in formation and make your song sung with passion'.
Question: What's been the most surprising part of the Idol experience so far?
Answer: Getting into the Top 13!!! So thankful! WOO HOO
Question: What have you learned about yourself by going through the Idol audition process?
Answer: That I can actually sing higher than I thought I could.
Question: What are you hoping to get out of your Idol experience?
Answer: To grow as an artist and performer.
"You have mad potential. You're fearless. Good job."