Sarah, Do you visit Switzerland for the first time?

Yes! This will be my very first time to Switzerland! I'm really excited and honored to be coming! This is the coolest thing that has happen to me so far!

What do you know about Switzerland?

Honestly, I don't know too much. I'm trying not to read up on the country very much because I want to be amazed with something new everyday! I've heard about how wonderful the chocolate is in Switzerland and I can't wait to try it!! I'm a sucker for chocolate!!

You are only 22 years old. Is it your plan to make music to your main profession or is it just a “current event”?

Singing has always been a part of me, it is who I am. I'm working hard everyday to make singing a profession. When I feel sad, happy, angry, excited...I sing!! The best advice I can give anyone is decide what you want to do or who you want to be and don't be afraid to go after it!

Most people in the US know you from „American Idol“. Many people say, these kind of casting shows bring the winners instant fame only and soon they get forgotten. What do you think about that?

I think some of that is absolutely true!! I was lucky in a way not to be in the finals, because some of those singers will NEVER be able to break away from the Idol name. It's very hard to be known as something else, that's why I'm working hard to be a successful artist on my own, and not with the Idol name backing me. I also think some of the people that go on Idol just give up after they get eliminated. It really makes me sad when that happens. Most people don't get the opportunities that I did either - right away I was signed by a label, put out a CD, and had a top ten hit. Now I've moved on working with new management and getting ready to record my next CD! My personality won't let me stop pursuing my dream or let me be forgotten...that's just not who I am. :-)

When you went alone to the casting in New York (where you finally got the golden ticket to Hollywood), your parents did not know about it (you told them that you are staying at your friend’s house). Do you personify  a little bit the “bad girl” image?
No, I don't think so. I was the oldest sibling and nineteen at the time, my parents were overprotective and had a hard time letting me grow up. I had to prove to them and to myself that I was destined to become a singer, and that I would go to great lengths to do it. I was always my best support system, I was my own cheerleader, and I wasn't going to put off my dreams any longer. I wanted to put them to a reality. I felt being on my own and doing something for myself made me grow up as a person, I found out who I was. My parents are now very accepting and encouraging of my dreams, because now they know just how possible it really is. I think I lost the bad girl image as soon as I cried on national Television!

With „Cool School“ you will visit 65 schools during 3 weeks. Did you liked to go to school?
I loved all music-related activities, of course! However, I was not one of the best students, and I often struggled with other subjects. Many of my classmates gave me a hard time because of my high aspirations, as well, which made going to class miserable at times. In the end it has made me a stronger person.

What do you expect from the students you will visit at school?

I'm expecting everything because I don't want to be surprised!! Haha! I think the students will be very welcoming and will have a lot of questions for me! This is an exciting experience for me and them, together we'll make it a great time! I can't wait to meet all of the super cool students in Switzerland!