Cody Simpson
I found myself in a meeting on my 13th birthday, which I really had no idea the enormity of, but I was in a meeting with the CEO of Atlantic Records, who sort of signed me right then and there as I was playing guitar for him.Collection: Birthday
My cell phone is the number one way for me to communicate with my fans. I love the direct connection I can make via social media whether I am on the road or at home.Collection: Home
Intelligence is the sexiest thing in the world.Collection: Intelligence
For Valentine's Day, I wrote my crush a song and had it professionally recorded. I never released it, though, because I wanted it to be a song just for her. I thought it would be more special that way.Collection: Valentines
My dad really inspired me to start playing music.Collection: Dad
I have a fresh start, now that I've turned 18, which feels like such a symbolic age of independence and hopefully a new phase of my life.Collection: Independence
I'm always online, 24/7 Facebooking and tweeting, because that's where my fans are.
I grew up a competitive swimmer. I wanted to go the Olympics. Both my parents were professional swimmers. I competed internationally quite often, right up until I moved to California to pursue music.
As a songwriter who uses lyrics to connect with others, it made perfect sense for me to partner with Hallmark, the leading greeting card brand that also uses words to help people make meaningful connections.
Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Neil Young and Bob Dylan are my main influences.
I write about everything that happens in my life, whether or not the songs actually are released or not.
I used to listen to Keith Urban and Johnny Cash and stuff.
Bullying is a topic that's been close to my heart for a while.
Our society is set up in a way that's so against the natural state of nature, and the way it's all initially intended to be. I kind of have to - not rebel, but peacefully rebel, in a sense - and do my part to protect it, regardless of the way that society is set up.
Being a public figure a lot of people will really love what you do, but you know there is also a ton of people who will hate on it.
I'm very, very, very romantic.
Miley Cyrus has always been, always been my childhood celebrity crush. I knew all the words to her songs, I'm not gonna lie. I'm not ashamed about it at all.
Music is just where I sort of write my emotions down.
I'm like the male Taylor Swift.
Obviously spending my teenage years in music, and in popular music, I wanted to continue this career, but in a way that allows me to dictate it and create it myself as opposed to relying on third party or more corporate decision making.
Having pop sensibilities from my past and also being a lead blues and sort of rock guitarist allowed me to bring that kind of beachy rock groove.
I'm a seeker of transcendence through music, and that's kind of where I'm at with the live shows - wanting to help people get out of their heads a little bit.
I've grown up listening to Jack Johnson and John Mayer. But I also love to groove on stage like Justin Timberlake.
I feel like if you can do multiple things, you shouldn't shy away from them.
I'm pretty drama-free.
I have a good time performing for girls. I think the guys will come when I grow up musically. We'll see.
I'd like to be the best boyfriend I can possibly be.
Miley is one of my best friends, and she helps with some of that transitional stuff - trying to escape your childhood. She's super open-minded, and I'm working on becoming more like that.
I feel like at 18, you're half of someone else, as opposed to all of yourself. You're still figuring yourself out.
It's nice to have a lot of people supportive of what I'm doing.
I like a girl that's just fun to be around. They make me laugh, but also they're faithful and honest. And it's all in the eyes.
I actually grew up listening to country music.
It's my biggest advantage with girls - I'm going to try to keep my accent as much as can.
I have an ear monitor to block outside noise when I'm performing. It makes it easier. But sometimes I like to take the ear monitor off and listen to the craziness going on.
My first taste of theater was my middle school play. We did 'The Jungle Book.' I auditioned for Mowgli, which I didn't get. I ended up playing a part as one of the monkeys.
There's not a lot of ego in the Broadway community. Everyone's out to do well.
I grew up on the Gold Coast of Australia, on the beach, basically.
I like girls who are laid back and fun to be around.
I really like 'Wish U Were Here.' It's about being on tour, but really missing someone and wishing she was there with me. I shot the music video at different places all around the country, where I've been on tour.
You know, as far as public perception goes, if you get seen with some people one time, everyone thinks you're in that group.
I think 'Free' captured a moment in my life where I was finding myself. There's a lot of content on there about breaking free and just developing your own philosophies, and ideologies, or world views or whatever.
My main focus now is playing the guitar. I'm not really like, dancing on stage anymore.
No pop for me. Pop's dead in my mind.
As a musician, you want to be your own favorite artist and be able to make the music that is an accumulation of all your favorite influences.
I realized I can do other things. I started developing opinions on serious matters and it's not all sugar and spice.
The very first time I came to The States I came right to New York and I remember walking around Times Square, I saw a couple of shows and I thought, 'I'd love to come here and do this.'
I think typically you'd start in a supporting role or an ensemble role, or maybe even an off-Broadway role. So to come into a lead role on Broadway, especially taking over a role that has been played by two phenomenal actors in the past, that is some large shoes to fill.
I've always been interested in kind of doing the thing that you weren't necessarily recommended to do.
I have a lot of variety on my iPod. Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, artists like that, but I also listen to hip-hop as well.
With the Internet, fans feel like they know you and I love that kind of connection.