On being announced the winner: Right up until the last second, they’re playing this horrible music. I was just telling myself, 'Gosh, I’ve made it to the top two.' I was thinking they were going to call Gabe’s name, so I was so shocked, so excited. There were so many things going through my mind, like, O'K, I have to go sing the single, and try not to cry.' I kept playing it through my mind, how am I going to sing this song. I was so joyous, I just kept laughing. I couldn’t even believe it.

On Shawn Mayer and Gabe Garcia, the runners-up: Shawn is really like one of my children. I really just want her to stay confident; that’s a challenge for her, she’s really hard on herself. Gabe is literally the most laid-back, mild-mannered man I’ve ever met in my life. He does not raise his voice. I’ve really enjoyed meeting him, because I think it’s his personality that shines through the singing.

On her first album: I’m very critical of myself; I like to re-do stuff, especially when you’re making an album -– it’s going to be there forever! Obviously I love those powerhouse ballads. I love anything in the style of Trisha Yearwood, a Martina McBride style. Maybe if you meshed those sounds together, you’d have the sound I’m going for.

On getting in shape (and losing 45 pounds!): I’ve spent a lot of years yo-yo dieting, and I never got thin. I’d gain 20, lose 20 –- the same 20 were going back and forth over and over again. Ultimately I ended up at 298.5 pounds and I saw that 300 mark coming up, and I freaked out. That, and I pulled my back out, and it laid me up for four days. I realized it’s selfish of me to choose food and non-movement over playing with my kids, plus I was teaching my kids terrible eating habits. I made the decision to change. Fast food physically makes me sick now – I just can’t do it.

On staying close to her family:  There’s no doubt that it will be a challenge, but life is full of challenges. I definitely won’t be an absent parent. (My husband and I) call it Team Parenting, because it takes two to raise ‘em. My kids take music lessons from my husband and myself, and they all sing. Even my 2-year-old walks around playing air guitar and singing.

(photo by John Russell/NBC)