Favorite Male Artist:

Jason Mraz

Favorite Female Artist:

Whitney Houston

Do you have a favorite quote or personal motto?

It's an opportunity, take it and run.

When did you first start to sing?

3 years old.

Do you have any formal singing training?

A couple of months.

What other talents do you have?

Acting, dance, (I can also touch my tongue to my nose).

What has been the most unique job/chore you've ever had?

Busgirl (not that exciting).

What are your personal goals in life?

To become a professional artist.

What music would your friends be surprised you own?

Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra.

Do you have any rituals or things you do before you perform?

I pray and thank God for everything He's given me.

What's your most embarrassing moment?

The judges told me I was going to Hollywood and gave me the golden ticket, I turned to thank them and was walking backwards and ran into a pillar!

What's your proudest moment?

When Ellen told me that I was in the Top 24.

If you couldn't sing, which talent would you most like to have?

To be able to do crazy backflips and to be flexible.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I speak Portuguese fluently.

What have you learned (about yourself) by going through the Idol audition process?

To always be myself and to stay grounded at all times.

How do you plan on differentiating yourself in the competition?

To be myself because I am me and that's something no one else has.

Who are your musical influences?

Whitney Houston, Taylor Swift, and my brother.

If you have 24 hours to do anything you wanted, what would you do?

I would go skydiving, ride a camel or an elephant, and go to Disney World.

Who is the person that you would most like to meet?

Denzel Washington

Of the past 8 seasons, who's been your favorite Idol contestant thus far?

Carrie Underwood

If you could perform in any venue in the world, where you that be and why?

Madison Square Garden because it is such a big venue and I've never been there.

What was the first concert you attended?

Britney Spears for my 9th birthday.

How has music inspired you?

It teaches me how to feel in a different way, and has taught me how to express those feelings.

What makes a great performer?

Someone who can relate to their audience and involve them in the performance

How do you combat stage fright?

I tell myself that I'm the one on stage and that many people wouldn't have as much confidence as I do to get up there.

What's been the most surprising part of the Idol experience so far?

Making it into Top 24, I was shocked!

If you could redo any moment in your life, what would it be and why?

Honestly, I wouldn't redo anything because everything I've gone through has led me to where I am today.

If you could perform with any person or group, who would it be and why?

Andrea Bocelli because he is so inspirational and has an incredible voice with a lot of emotion.

Which theme week would be most challenging to you and why?

If there was a rap week because I can't rap at all. It would be embarrassing.

What theme week would you love to have for Season 9?

Disney song week.

What's your dream song to perform?

"I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston.

What one performance in a past AI season will you always remember?

Katharine McPhee's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".