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Many women see the images in magazines, movies and on TV, and they compare themselves to those culturally defined images as standards of beauty. Since you can't see those images, have you been spared the temptation to compare yourself to those images?

OwensNo, definitely not. Especially since I'm often on the road with guys all the time. And they'll talk about girls very matter-of-factly, like "She's hot," or, "She's got a pretty face, but she has really bad teeth," or all kinds of crazy stuff. Sometimes I think, Man, what do they say about me when I'm not around? They could be so critical and over-analytical of every girl and every feature. And I, especially getting older as a single girl, start to worry about, Gosh, am I going to make the cut ever? Are guys going to ever see me as pretty enough to be interested in? Or whatever. That all comes from those images.

I feel bad for guys, though. The image of girls on magazines or TV is that they're always perfect. So guys kind of have this model that they compare all the rest of us to. Not only that, but for guys, there's nothing left to the imagination; if they want to see a hot, scantily clad girl, it's not hard to do. I think that makes the challenge even greater for guys not to be tempted. Thus it makes a challenge for girls to remain a woman of integrity and yet to - I don't want to say "be in the game," because that's not exactly what I mean. But the cultural definition of "beautiful" has changed so much that I think it's a huge challenge for women.

You've said you've always been the girl who goes without make up and doesn't think about beauty. Is that just the way you are, or a result of your disability?

OwensI think it's the way I am. I think it's a little bit of a defense mechanism. Kind of like, Well, if I make sure I look the best I possibly can and guys still aren't interested in me, then wow, I don't have any excuse. I'm sure there's a little bit of that in me. But more than that, I'm just always in a hurry and I think, As long as my hair is brushed and clean, as long as I've taken a shower, I'm fine. If I could see, my perception would probably be different. But I just don't think too much about it.

But you have to think about it in a business that's so image-conscious. With MTV and such an image-driven culture, it seems like today if you're really good looking, you can make it to the top of the charts without much talent. But it wasn't so long ago that you had to be good to make it to the top. What are your thoughts on that?

OwensInterestingly enough, I think as much as MTV drives this generation's music, I honestly think artists gain popularity when they have music that people can sink their teeth into. To me, having looks and bad music in the pop world is no different from being a worship singer who keeps regurgitating songs that other people have sung a hundred times. To me, both are types of things that the general public, that the masses can get their brains around. Sing-able, simple melodies in pop music or in worship music make people happy. Music that's a little more intellectual, or a little left of center, is always going to have trouble finding its home. I don't think it has that much to do with looks. I think Brittany Spears is a great example. No matter how much skin she shows, she's not selling a vast amount of records right now. So obviously image is not always the most important thing.

That's been my experience. When people in the music industry tell me what to wear, that doesn't make people buy more records. When I change my hair or get better or more expensive clothes, that doesn't help me communicate from stage any better. And it doesn't help people get what I do any better. I'm certain that it helps the package, but as an artist, I know that really isn't what matters most to people in the end.

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