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'American Idol' has done a great job of defaming my name and throwing a lot of mud at me for the past two years, so that set up a lot of roadblocks for me.

'Idol' was groundbreaking television. I am very fortunate to have won the show at the time. 'Idol' changed my life, and I am thankful.

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.

Winning 'American Idol' is awesome.

I think American Idol is a great career launcher. A blessing for all of us.

I will always appreciate 'American Idol,' and I never forget about where I come from.

Yeah... I was a singer as a kid. I had a lot of stage fright, and what's happened with 'Idol,' it has got me past so much of that.

I felt like I got more comfortable on 'Idol' when I just started being myself and not trying to be what I thought I had to be.

Winning 'American Idol' gives the opportunity to really help make a change to a lot of lives, and making a difference has given me the greatest satisfaction and joy.