Quotes

[on his ethnic background] Half-Italian, half-African-American, and English and Irish thrown in there somewhere.

A child's day is too often filled with mind-numbing facts solely designed for the next high-stake test, and not life application. An arts education is imperative to our children's growth and well being, and is proved to have a direct and positive effect on all other forms of reasoning.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully it's salvation, not a train coming at me.

I've traveled all over the world but I found the woman I love right in my own backyard

I'd be completely lost without music, and bursting with emotions that I couldn't comprehend or control.

Let them laugh at you, their joy will turn to ashes in their mouths. Let them talk, their scorn will be the ink with which you write.

Success is like a high-rise building I'm on the first floor. There are a lot of people in the basement or the parking lot but I was lucky enough to have made it to the first floor and I'm looking to make it to the penthouse.

American Idol did wonders for my career, but it was also extremely damaging for my life.

I have a love-hate relationship with the media. I love 'em, and they love to hate me.