“I don’t like to look typical.”

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken is going on American Idol and trying to be myse

I am gay, and I’m very comfortable with it.

Carving out an identity for yourself is important so I’m trying to do that as well.

I wanted the focus to be on my ability as a singer and as an entertainer – not on my private life.

For me, one of the important things about keeping vocally healthy is warming up and making sure I’m aware where my voice is at, drinking lots of water and getting plenty of sleep, and just taking care of myself with exercise and eating healthy.

It’s late at night and I can’t sleep.

Life is all about taking risk to get what you want.

No escaping when I start, once I’m in I own your heart

I wanted to look different because I felt different

The kids that are different and out there and expressive and are bold with those choices, those are the people that grow up to be people we all want to hang out with,

If My New Album Isn’t Out in 2014, Something is Seriously Wrong!

And they don’t deserve that. What you’re doing by being yourself is you’re keeping it real, and you’re being really brave.

I never wore full-on eyeliner in high school, but I wanted to.

A lot of my male vocal influences are British – people like David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant.

I had a lot of fun with my costume designer.

People want to talk about whether I have rock cred, whether I’m selling out, the theatricality, the gay stuff… Chill out! And just enjoy yourself.