Katharine McPhee

"In my view, I’ve had tons of success but, in the way the world views success and they expect Idols to do, mine has just been a longer journey to get there. And I’m grateful for it. It just makes the journey that much sweeter in the end."

"America is a country with so much opportunity. After returning from a recent trip to West Africa, I gained a new perspective on what our country’s colors mean to me. Even in our worst times, we have so much more and give so much. Everywhere I went people wanted to know how they could get to America. On my way home I realized that I now looked at our flag differently. I thought about those that fought so hard for our independence; to give us the right to pursue our dreams."