The Most Vulnerable People Have Tough Exteriors

I Was 21. At The Time, I Was Under The Thumb Of My Label, And I Felt Like I Had To Do, Say And Act Out Everything They Asked Me To Do. I Was Trying To Please Them And The Public And Finally I Had To Say, "enough. I'm Going To Make A Record That Makes Me Happy And Addresses All Facets Of Being A Woman. I Don't Care If I Sell One Or One Million Records." That's How I Came To Make Stripped.

Independence Was A Big, Big Thing For Me. I Saw My Voice As A Way Out - When My Parents Fought, I'd Run Up To My Room, Put On The Sound Of Music, Open The Window And Sing Out. My Voice Was My Escape.

Etta James Is My All-time Favorite Singer. I've Said It In Every Interview, In Every Story, In Every On- And Off-camera Question. That Music Was Always Such A Huge Escape For Me, Even From A Young Age.

Right Now I'm Pretty Single... My Career Is My Boyfriend.

I Feel Things Deeply.