During my whole year as Miss America and afterward, I was calling agents, looking for advice and opportunities. When I was in New York or in Los Angeles doing different appearances, if I had time on my schedule, I tried to meet with executives.
If you Google me, you'll find plenty of 'dumb blonde' references - even though I graduated with honors from Stanford and studied at Oxford University. I don't let it bother me.
Men need to hire more women and put them in higher positions of power within organizations.
Be brave and be fearless, and for God's sake, stand up for yourself.
I grew up thinking that I could be anything I wanted to be in this world because my mom told me that every single night.
I wanted to play the piano.
Becoming Miss America was one of those things. It immediately changed what I thought I was going to do with the rest of my life.
I'm setting up a fund to empower girls and women to speak up - on all issues, not just sexual harassment. For me, it's about inspiring women to come together.
I respond to every email. I sign every autograph for every person.
Half of the equation is men, and right now, unfortunately, men are running the majority of corporations, so we have to make sure that if that is the case, that they are respectful and honor women for their true accomplishments.
I've been for women's empowerment my entire life.
I am saddened by the prevalence of powerful men disrespecting and objectifying women - and getting away with it for years.
I am particularly distressed when people in the public eye who influence our culture perpetuate sexism.
My vibrato was my weakness. With romantic pieces, I could be a lot more schmaltzy. My wider vibrato fit that.
Everyone knew how powerful Roger Ailes was. I certainly felt intimidated by that; the culture of 'Fox and Friends' was intimidating to me.
A lot of things I've done in my life have taken incredible mental fortitude.
I'm a huge believer in visualizing achieving the task before it happens.
I wish some days that I didn't have as much drive as I do. I'd sleep better.
I've always been an incredibly strong person, and I've also been underestimated.
I've been truly blessed to have so many supporters and, of course, blessed to have my family and all my friends.
