We all remember growing up with mean girls, right?

Let's teach our girls and boys how to show the same respect to their colleagues in the workplace they show their moms and sisters at home.

I wasn't prepared for the environment I encountered trying to break into television news. In the world of music, where I spent my formative years, we were judged solely on our talent, and gender wasn't a factor.

I've been for women's empowerment my entire life.

After eight years on 'Young and the Restless' and eight years on 'Criminal Minds,' I'm ready for that next phase of my career.

I don't want to be known as just an actress. I want to be known as an entertainer and entrepreneur.

When you're young, it's hard to see the reality behind such a demanding career, but I loved it, and I couldn't see myself doing anything else. So in my mind, from the minute I had to seriously start thinking about my future, I knew musical theatre was it for me.

I've tried to move on with my life and my career for the last two years and do my own thing, and 'American Idol' and FOX, they've just been making it really tough for me to do that.