Scotty McCreery: 'You won't see any twerking from me'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
"American Idol" Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery has never been shy when it comes to expressing his faith. The 20-year-old country singer has relied on his strong beliefs to guide him past the pitfalls of fame since winning the world's most famous singing competition.
FOX411 spoke with McCreery about the challenges he faces as a religious person in an industry that isn't always known for its moral behavior.
"I don't want to put anyone down, but you won't see any twerking from me," McCreery joked.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
McCreery, who found his niche singing country music, says there are fewer challenges within his genre than say, rock or hip hop.
"I'm not ashamed [of my faith] but I know that everyone doesn't agree with me," said McCreery. "I think especially in the country music world, if there's anyone that's going to accept it, it'll be them."
When McCreery began his career, he made it clear what kind of artist he would be by including religious songs on his albums.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
"I wanted to have more songs with religious backgrounds," McCreery explained. "The Christmas record has strong, traditional hymns but it also has a song called "Christmas in Heaven" about missing someone that you love that's passed on and wondering what's going on up there on Christmas."
On McCreey's first CD, he included a song called "Old King James" which "talks about a bible being passed down in a family" and was nominated for the Mainstream Inspirational Country song at the 2013 ICMAs.
The "See You Tonight" singer recently released a new album and is about to embark on a cross-country tour, another part of the performing lifestyle that comes with temptation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
"The road is a fun place and it's a great place to get out there and explore the country," he said. "But as far as the road life with the 'rock and roll temptations,' there's not much of that with me."
McCreery says he keeps a tight knit group of friends that support him close.
"Luckily I've got a great group of guys in my band we we don't usually face the temptations that you see in the old rock style kind of folks."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
With Season 13 of American Idol up and running, McCreery has advice for the new contestants and others first starting out in the music industry.
"It's a lot more than you bargained for," he warns. "It's a crazy, wild ride and you've got to be ready for it. "It's a lot of hard work and blood, sweat and tears but it's fun and very rewarding."
And don't worry about being yourself, especially when it comes to your beliefs.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
"When you're out there talking about your faith and what you believe in, you'll face some backlash," McCreery told FOX411. "But mostly, I've received support."
Faith & Fame is a regular column exploring how a strong belief system helps some performers navigate the pitfalls of the entertainment industry.