Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves some turn up their noses and some don't turn up at all.

In no relationship at the top of any walk of life is it always easy least of all in politics which matters so much and which is conducted in such a piercing spotlight.

You go on these Internet blogs and people say the meanest things. I'm a normal person. Just because I'm in the spotlight doesn't mean I'm God's gift to the world. I'm learning and making mistakes just like every other 17-year-old girl out there.

The spotlight will always be on me but it's something I'm learning to live with as the years go by.

I'm just not one of those naturally funny relaxed actors who enjoy the spotlight and are so good at it.

I don't really get shaken very much. People could heckle me a spotlight could go out I could forget a lyric... I'm not operating on somebody's brain you know what I mean? So I just think it's all funny.

In my circle of friends I've always been loud and funny and talkative. But as soon as I step out of that circle I get very quiet and introspective. I don't want the spotlight on me.

Some people are willing to betray years of friendship just to get a little bit of the spotlight.

I felt extremely uncomfortable as the focal point in the spotlight. I really like the behind the scenes role because all my freedom is there.

I didn't get hugely famous really quick. It was a slow gradual process so I was able to sort of grow into myself and figure out who I was and what I wanted without the glaring spotlight on me telling me who I was.

You know when everyone's watching your mom and dad your friends in high school who thought they were better than you. You get your chance to get in the spotlight and shine.

The stores and the things like that the business side of things came out at the point when I'd say probably in the early '70s it looked like the year of the singer-songwriter was over 'cause music changed in our time and the spotlight was out.

You'd think I'd have been happiest in my life playing music in front of 50 000 people at Gillette Stadium. But let me tell you it's an odd feeling to feel alone in the spotlight.