Britney Spears: Gurl Talk

With her first film Crossroads hitting theaters, Britney was happy to talk to journalists and we got a rare chance to chat with her in person at the posh Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills, Ca. The superstar looked very casual, young and "girl-next-door" in her jeans and red and white off-shoulder top. It was the glam diamond jewelry that screamed "diva". The singer/actress wore diamond bangle bracelets, earrings and a couple of diamond rings; one a butterfly that she insisted wasn't an engagement ring or anything special. In her charming, little girl southern voice, she talked of her movie star dreams, her relationship with Justin and what making a female road trip movie was like.

Teenhollywood: You were instrumental in getting this film made and written for you. What kinds of decisions did you make on what you wanted on the screen?

Britney: (I was involved with) the whole generalization of the girls going on the road trip and I had a lot of input into their characters and what each one was going through. Just the whole story line, as far as why (my character) Lucy was going and why Taryn (Manning) was going. The writer (Shonda Rimes) came in and helped me elaborate on that a little bit. It was kind of a combined effort between both of us. I came up with the general idea, but the whole story and all the ideas (Rhimes) helped me with.

Teenhollywood: You also had input into the casting of the leading man. Was it fun to go through that process and maybe kiss all these guys?

Britney: It wasn't fun doing that. (She laughs.) (Anson Mount) was a sweetheart. He was so nice and he made me feel very, very comfortable. At the very beginning when the cameras were all around me it was at first a little nerve-wracking. But afterwards, he made me comfortable. It was totally fine.

Teenhollywood: In the film, your character keeps a diary. Do you do that in real life?

Britney: No. Actually, I say my prayers in my diary because I usually fall asleep if I say my prayers out loud so I write my prayers down in a journal but I don't write about my day or anything.

Teenhollywood: What about writing songs?

Britney: Yeah. For like four years now.

Teenhollywood: Was the music always part of the Crossroads script?

Britney: At the very beginning of making this film, I didn't really know if I wanted to have singing in it. But once the writer started talking to me, we thought it would spice it up a little bit to have a performance in there.

Teenhollywood: Would you do a film where you don't sing?

Britney: I would love to in the future. I think that would be very cool.

Teenhollywood: Why do you think some singers don't make it as actors?

Britney: I don't know, man (she laughs). I don't know how my movie's going to do. I'll just see how it does and if it is a big flop, I'll know what not to do next time. (laughs)

Teenhollywood: Has Madonna seen the movie?

Britney: I don't think she's seen it yet.

Teenhollywood: What is it about Madonna that you dig and what is it about you that she digs?

Britney: I don't know what it is about me that she digs. (giggles) I just love the fact that when she goes on stage she is so amazing. She is one of the best entertainers of all time. I just love the way she controls the audience. The fact she's been able to do it all, I respect that. She's been able to do movies and have beautiful kids. I respect that a lot. I'm not going to follow in her footsteps completely but she's definitely an inspiration for me. Definitely.

Teenhollywood: Why did you choose to open the movie singing Madonna's Open Your Heart?

Britney: I always wanted the opening scene to be me jumping around and playing around. Honestly, that song is one of my all-time favorite songs. When they asked me what song I wanted to do, I said this one. It's just a lighthearted, fun song, something that all girls like.

Teenhollywood: But did you want to do it in your underwear?

Britney: Yes. Because it's real. All girls wake up in the mornin' and personally I sleep in a T-shirt and (my character) has her little guy briefs on and she's just chillin' and singin.' I think that's what we do, well, that's what I do personally.

Teenhollywood: Did it embarrass you to perform that song in your undies before the whole crew?

Britney: I'd been with the crew for a while. We made sure that not that many people were allowed on the set. It's part of the character and what she's about. I think it brought a realness to it.

Teenhollywood: How was it having your little sister (who plays the younger Lucy) in the movie?

Britney: It's really eerie to look at my little sister because she reminds me so much of me when I was younger. I think she is so much more talented than I ever was, though. She is a little genius. There's no telling what she'll do.

Teenhollywood: How different is it preparing for a concert versus preparing for a scene?

Britney: I had a week and a half to understand who the character was and what she really was about before I went in to do it so I just felt like I knew what I was doing. I had to feel prepared. They're two totally different things when you're on stage and when you're acting.

Teenhollywood: The characters in the film put something representing their dreams in a box and bury it. Have you ever thought about what memento you would put in a box of dreams like that?

Britney: What would I put in right now? Oh, that's a good question. For me to do more films. I would love that. Honestly, I have everything I want. I would probably say health and for me to have healthy kids and to marry the man of my dreams.

Teenhollywood: The film will appeal to your young fans, yet your character doesn't appear to practice birth control such as condoms. Is there a responsibility?

Britney: As far as Lucy goes, they leave it to the people's imagination that she was responsible enough and hopefully did do that. The scene after (my character) talked to my dad-when I talk to Dan Aykroyd-at the very beginning of the movie, there was a scene where I did actually open a box of condoms, which they took out because the movie was too long. That was our attempt. As far as (the) Mimi (character) being pregnant, that's real.

That goes on every day. I think teenagers do make mistakes and I think that it's cool that teenagers can go and watch that and see that they're not alone and to know that they have their friends to talk to about it.

Teenhollywood: Is your success ever overwhelming and how do you cope?

Britney: It's very flattering. This is my dream come true. I can't believe this is happening right now. I can't believe I even have a movie. I feel very blessed to be where I am right now.

Teenhollywood: Who gave you the best advice?

Britney: My mom just telling me to always be true to yourself. Do what you want to do and don't take any bull from anybody and show 'em what you got. (laughs)

Teenhollywood: What do you think your biggest mistake is so far?

Britney: My biggest mistake? I don't want to say my biggest mistake. I don't want to tell the whole world that. But trust me, I've made plenty, but I don't regret them because it's made me the person that I am right now.

Teenhollywood: What does the media say about you that really upsets you?

Britney: They can talk about personal stuff and whatever as much as they want as long as they don't talk about-knock on wood-my performance and what I do. That would hurt.

Teenhollywood: What makes you cringe?

Britney: Interviews! (laughs) Using the phone and probably not being able to be with my boyfriend as much as I want to be, that makes me really cringe.

Teenhollywood: Speaking of your boyfriend, 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake, a lot has happened since Sept. 11. Has your relationship with him changed since then?

Britney: After that happened it did put a lot of things in perspective for us and we wanted to embrace each other as much as we could. Definitely.

Teenhollywood: How hard is it to maintain a relationship with another high-profile celebrity?

Britney: It's kind of hard sometimes just trying to see each other whenever we can. We have such a good foundation and if you love a person you just work it out.

Teenhollywood: Did he get jealous of your love scenes in the movie?

Britney: That's a part of what we do. I don't like it. It doesn't make me feel like a million dollars. I do accept that it's just acting.

Teenhollywood: What CD do you have that we might be surprised you listen to?

Britney: Hmm. I listen to Otis Redding a lot. I love him, man. I just think he's awesome. There's nothing better in putting him on, getting in the tub and lighting some candles and just chillin'.

Teenhollywood: What does that ring on your finger signify?

Britney: It's just a ring. It's just a butterfly. See? (she holds up her hand).

Teenhollywood: What was the first concert you went to?

Britney: TLC and Boyz 2 Men.

Teenhollywood: Why did you go?

Britney: I was in New York and it was my first time there and why not? At the time TLC was doing Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls, and they were hype and they were amazing.

Teenhollywood: This film is about friendship. What are your criteria for maintaining friendships?

Britney: I think I've been really blessed with my friendships. I have three girlfriends-that's kind of what inspired me to do the movie. I still have my girlfriends who I grew up with. We went to daycare with each other. We're just like this (she says crossing her fingers). We just feel comfortable with each other. We're honest and total goofs. That's why I wanted to do the movie. I wanted girls to go see the movie and be inspired by (the bonds of friendship) and want that.

Teenhollywood: Do you think it's possible to reconnect with friends you've grown apart from?

Britney: It's definitely possible. I think your true friends are the ones that you can be away from for like six months but then when you see them again it's like, Hey, what's up? And I still have the outfit that she has on. You have that connection with your true friends.

Teenhollywood: Some people think you are getting too sexy on stage. How do you respond to that?

Britney: I say everybody's got an opinion. I do what I want to do and I get on stage. I love to perform. You either come and watch it and you like it or you don't.

Teenhollywood: Do you still have fun on stage despite the fact that the sets have gotten bigger and more elaborate?

Britney: Oh gosh yes. That's what drives me to do what I do is being on stage. Definitely there will be a show maybe two years from now, who knows, that's more intimate. I love doing my shows. I come from theater so there's nothing like being on stage and having the people right there. I just love that.

Teenhollywood: You talk about how exciting it is to be on the stage. What charge did you get from being on a movie set?

Britney: It's really different and I must say I was so used to being on stage and getting that instant reaction. When you're on camera, there's so much hurry up and wait. You're waiting around thinking, I've got to get into character now. It's also cool because if you mess up you can do it all over again. I found that fascinating because you can do one line so many ways. They're two totally different things.

Teenhollywood: Are you recording anything else now?

Britney: No. I think I'm going to try the acting thing for a little while just to see. It will probably be a while before I do another album.

Teenhollywood: It's Valentine month. How do you best describe what romance is to you?

Britney: I don't like big things. A guy doesn't have to do all that for me as long as I can be with the person that I love and be intimate with him and have a good conversation. I find that romantic.

Teenhollywood: What's the craziest thing someone has done in the name of love for you?

Britney: Justin surprises me all the time with so many things and I've never been in a relationship like that. He totally fascinates me on that level. He's a very cool guy and just being in his presence makes me... I don't want to go into detail about what he does. (laughs)

Teenhollywood: You play a brilliant girl in the movie. How were you in school?

Britney: I wasn't the valedictorian. I was honor roll-A's and B's. I was the point guard on my basketball team. I wasn't the most popular girl in school. I just hung out with my friends.

Teenhollywood: What was your favorite subject?

Britney: I loved English and reading a lot, Biology.

Teenhollywood: What do you do in your spare time?

Britney: I just love hanging out, watching TV, ordering room service. I'm addicted to spas. I love going to spas and just getting massages. Oh my gosh, I just love that.

Teenhollywood: Is there another movie you're considering doing right now?

Britney: I would love to do another movie. Actually, there's a script that I'm reading right now that I'm absolutely in love with but I don't have the part so I'm going to see what I can do. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. (laughs)

TeenHollywood: What's your best disguise when you go out?

Britney: I have some really dorky glasses that I wear-they're granny glasses. And I wear a big cap. And every time I wear it, nobody says anything. Oh no! I shouldn't have just said that! (laughs)

With that, Britney sipped a Pepsi someone at the hotel brought her, waved, thanked us and moved on to her next whirlwind stop.

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Interviewer and writer Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.