“If someone is trying to bring you down, it only means you’re above them.”

I never saw myself as a singer; I never really thought I had the voice for it.

I believe that anyone can become better,if you put in the effort.

My dad would call me his Cuban princess because I had really dark olive skin because I was always in the sun; but I don’t really go in the sun anymore, so that is why I am so white.

To me, being Latin is about more than your looks – it’s how you’re brought up.

I like clean-cut, very proper, very elegant looks.

My family was absolutely supportive. I did have a fear of cold reads because of my dyslexia, but my family’s support and reading classes really helped me overcome my fear!

My big break was becoming the spokesperson for Texas Instruments. Casting directors really started giving me a chance to read for projects.

I don’t think people realize how much work it takes to make an album.

I always finish off my look with a spritz of Vera Wang Pink Princess.

I like “As Long As You Love Me” and “Boyfriend” by Justin Bieber. It gets you moving – you just can’t help it! And “Teach Me How to Dougie” gets Zendaya and I every time.

Partying at a club is very different than when I’m throwing a party at my house. My party’s a rage. People rage when they come to my house.

Start going to bed earlier! It is a tough adjustment when you have had a summer of staying up late and waking up late.

Music is a big part of my life. I listen to different genres, and I choose the music that will inspire the next part of my story.

I’m always on Instagram! I’m like an Instagram stalker.

My makeup artist, Tonya Brewer, taught me the importance of moisturizing daily. Hydration is a must if you want pretty, dewy skin – which I love.

I’m a relationship girl, I like relationships, so I just miss being in one and chilling. And not dating.

Growing up, politics never trickled down to the areas we come from. But people from Obama’s camp, and Obama himself, reached out to me and asked for my help on the campaign. We’ve sat and had dinner, and we’ve spoken on the phone. He’s a very sharp guy. Very charming. Very cool.

I had to discover very quickly that class origins cannot be erased, regardless of whether we climb up or down the sociocultural ladder.

At various points, in big ways and small, we get knocked down. If we stay down, grit loses. If we get up, grit prevails.

I never wanted to just glamorize the playa lifestyle and not touch on the down side. I wanted everyone who’s in a desperate situation to know that, if they wanna choose that kinda lifestyle, they gotta be aware of everything that comes with it! It’s not just about the cars, the ladies and the money.

An it isn’t so much that the church is in bondage to Big Business and doctrines as laid down by millionaires – though a lot of churches are that, too.

Writers themselves don’t analyze what they do; to analyze would be to look down while crossing a canyon on a tightrope.

I’ve tried not to get too bogged down by what people want you to be.

What does democracy come down to? The persuasive power of slogans invented by wily self-seeking politicians.