My mother is Greek and my father is Bulgarian. I am a first-generation American and native Los Angeleno. I was born and raised in Hollywood.

Awareness is empowering.

Be fearless in trying new things, whether they are physical, mental, or emotional, since being afraid can challenge you to go to the next level.

You've got to want to be married to the person you're married to.

I would go to school and be American and then come home and be Greek.

Performing live actually thrills me. Just get me a stage, get me a mic, and I'm going to be happy.

I do think you have to scare yourself. That's where your creativity or your growth comes from. Scaring yourself, challenging yourself, taking those risks, and not caring about what anyone thinks.

As a woman, I feel women get the shaft all the time.

The Greek side of me definitely loves a good meal, a lot of laughing, loud discussions.

I always did sing. It's always been something I love to do but it has also been the most private and most secret thing that you don't really want to let the world in on.

I'm not trying to prove anything.

Effective leadership is doing important things first. Effective management is knowing what is important.

Cook, at that moment in time, I would have sold my body for a mocha latte

The heavens listen to what is said on these cobbles. Laws of man and nature come together here. Here you must be firm. Here you must be true.

When you consider the opportunity and power He had to really do a job, and then look at the stupid, ugly little mess He made of it instead, His sheer incompetence is almost staggering.

Perhaps we could enjoy ordinary, everyday life more if we learned to celebrate the ordinary.

We can only shine the brightest as SNSD when we stand on one stage as nine.

Venice astonishes more than it pleases at first sight.

Wars happen because the ones who start them think they can win.

In life we try to grow and better ourselves. As an artist, I feel like I've grown tremendously.

Faith is like a bright ray of sun light. It enables us to see God in all things as well as all things in God.