Clay Aiken

The greatest glory never comes from falling, but from rising each time you fall. ”

I don't really feel like I have anybody to answer to but myself and God and the people I love. ”

I really love live performing! ”

You know, I think I'm a stronger person for realizing that you can't make everybody love you. ”

There are stars out there who would die to have this much exposure. ”

I decided to study special education and fell in love with working with individuals with autism. That's what I planned to do with my life. ”

I kind of had my life planned out for me. I'd be married at some point, have, you know, 1.5 children, and be a principal possibly one day. But I think that that was kind of my problem. I allowed myself to plan out my life and didn't let provident direction guide my life. ”

But I was going to be a teacher my entire life, so I wasn't counting on money to much. ”

It's not the money. It's not the fame. It's the influence. ”

My mother taught me that we all have the power to achieve our dreams. What I lacked was the courage. ”