For me, I try to see difficulties as a way of expanding and growing as a person inhabiting this planet.

And that might have led to other shows but you know what LA is like. I was in my early 30s and it wasn't going to get easier. You know, that's when you start to wonder if you might have to get lots of plastic surgery.

For the pageants, it was my mother who got me involved in Miss America. It really gave me the opportunity to sing all around New Hampshire. And it was great when I was young, but looking back, it was also unbelievably stressful.

I think it really holds you back having to think about your image.

I think Dad didn't really treat us like children; he treated us more like little adults. We were good kids.

I never borrowed money from Mom. I lived at home, but my parents never helped me. I worked hard and moved out. I treated my blog like a business; hard work is important.

I want to thank my mother and my father for teaching me to have a dream. You are seeing my dream come true.

My folks are in Jersey. And I have a lot of friends and other family there. So, I try to visit as much as possible.