Yeah, it really has, I have to say. I've been working for a while for this. I was surprised by how fast the album and the single went to No. 1. I expected it to take a while, but yeah, I was surprised.
LAUNCH:
You've been touring with 'N Sync, who has a mostly young female audience. Was it difficult to perform for an audience filled with rabid 'N Sync fans?
BRITNEY:
It was a little frustrating at first, especially because the song wasn't out yet when I started my tour. It was just getting on the radio, but after it got more airplay, they knew me and warmed up to me. At first, the audience booed, but after I started performing they always warmed up to me and started cheering.
LAUNCH:
There's a stereotype that young performers such as yourself have pushy showbiz parents. From what I've read about you, you were the one who had the drive and determination to become an entertainer. Tell me about that.
BRITNEY:
It was totally me from day one. I was always pushing my mom for dancing and singing lessons. I had a completely normal childhood; my mom just wanted to cook for me and take me shopping. I was always determined to do what I wanted to do and I was so thankful that she was there to support me.
LAUNCH:
Tell me how you got involved with working for Disney.
BRITNEY:
That was a long time ago...When I was 11 or 12, I was on The Mickey Mouse Club on the Disney Channel. It was the best experience. It was so much fun. There were 20 other kids on the show, and that's where I got all my performing experience. There have been a lot of people to come out of there who have been really, really successful.
LAUNCH:
Tell me about your audition for Jive Records. That must have been a nerve-wracking experience.
BRITNEY:
I was so used to performing for big crowds. I flew to New York for the day. First, I had to go into this room with three A&R guys. I had to sing "I Have Nothing," "Open Arms," and "Jesus Loves Me" a cappella. I was so nervous. It's so different performing in front of thousands of people, and you're pumped and they're screaming and that gets your energy going. But when there's just three people sitting there staring at you, it's so different. Then I was done, and I thought I could go, but they made me perform in front of these other executives. They took me to this huge room, with about 13 people sitting around this table. It was the most nerve-wracking thing I've ever done. But they signed me, and here I am today.
LAUNCH:
Your contemporaries--'N Sync, the Backstreet Boys--are you all friends?
BRITNEY:
When we see each other, it's good to see them again, but we really don't have time to be friends per se. We're all so busy. It's hard to keep in touch. The friends that I keep in touch with are my friends from home.
LAUNCH:
What kind of things do you do when you're at home?
BRITNEY:
Usually when I go home, I do my studies and I go out with my friends. We go to the movies. It's really nice at home, it's like people know who you are, but they leave you be. I can still go to the movies, go to parties. It's still completely normal.
LAUNCH:
As you become more famous, does it bother you to read gossip and other false things that are written about you?
BRITNEY:
The media and people are going to say what they want to say--no matter what you say. It's just sad you have to deal with it in this business. You hear things and you laugh about them, but then things get blown way out of proportion. I've just learned it's a part of the business, I have to roll with the punches. I love my job and I love what I'm doing.
LAUNCH:
Tell me about your Rolling Stone photo shoot. It's some pretty sexy stuff. How did that photo shoot come about?
BRITNEY:
It was a wonderful shoot, actually. They came to my house and usually you have to go to a studio or something. It was really laid-back. We did it at my school and my house. I worked with this great photographer, David LaChapelle. He's brilliant. I thought the pictures came out really well.
LAUNCH:
Does your sudden fame ever frighten you?
BRITNEY:
It is weird sometimes, but it's a good feeling to know that you've worked so hard and people appreciate your music, sing the words to your songs. It's overwhelming. It's really the best feeling in the world, I have to say.
LAUNCH:
What do you love most about performing?
BRITNEY:
I guess I just love the response from the crowd. It pumps me up so much. I feel so free when I'm out there. People say I'm a totally different person when I'm just talking to them than when I'm onstage.
LAUNCH:
Do you have groupies?
BRITNEY:
I get gifts and stuff. It's really sweet. My fans are really cool. I've had some kind of crazy things happen, but you'll always have that.
LAUNCH:
The stereotypes that people have of you--which ones bug you the most?
BRITNEY:
Sometimes people won't take me seriously because I'm so young, and that tends to bother me because I work really hard. I've earned this. The one-hit wonder thing, like, "will this last?" Of course it will. My goal is to make good music. If Madonna can do it, if Janet [Jackson] can do it, then why can't I?
LAUNCH:
Tell me about the people who worked on your album.
BRITNEY:
The first producer I worked with was Eric Foster White in New Jersey. The record label wanted to "see what we could do." We just worked so well together, everything completely fell into place. We came up with some really good material. Then Max Martin from Sweden came over and we did "Baby One More Time." I was only supposed to do two or three songs with him, but we worked so well together that we did half the album with him and his crew. All the material I got was just wonderful. The guys were so smart and brilliant. They would ask me, "Is this too mature? Too young? Too cheesy?"
LAUNCH:
You mention Madonna and Janet Jackson as being role models. Who do you admire most?
BRITNEY:
Madonna. I love her a lot. She is so smart. She knows what the audience wants to hear. She's been around for so long and she's how old? 40? She's so strong. I totally admire that. She knows how to present herself.
LAUNCH:
Would you ever like to try your hand at acting?
BRITNEY:
If I ever have time, I would love to do a film or something. That would be wonderful.
LAUNCH:
Are you into computers and technology?
BRITNEY:
All of a sudden all of my friends are computer whizzes. They're always on the computer. I wish I could say the same. I'm just really busy. I email my friends. But lately, I just haven't had time.
LAUNCH:
Do you feel like you're a spokesperson for your generation?
BRITNEY:
I think just being out in the public eye as much as I am, it's inevitable that I will be a role model for them, and they will look up to me. But I just can't be stupid and do stupid things--which I wouldn't do anyway. I just have to be confident and positive toward life and hopefully that will rub off on them.
LAUNCH:
What kind of interaction do you have with your fans? Do you get recognized everywhere you go?
BRITNEY:
It's so weird because in some cities, everyone will notice you, but they'll let you be. But in some places they're just crazy, screaming--wacko! You just never know. It's really weird. I'm flattered when somebody wants my autograph. I love that.
LAUNCH:
What other artistic directions would you like to go in?
BRITNEY:
Really, I just want to continue to do this. I love what I'm doing right now. I just want to grow as an artist and let my music grow. Just reinvent myself each time. Hopefully do a film or something.
LAUNCH:
Do you ever wonder about your career longevity?
BRITNEY:
You'll always have doubts in your mind. But I really feel that if you make good music, you can't go wrong. People will always want to hear you and see you.
LAUNCH:
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
BRITNEY:
10 years from now? My goodness, I'll be 27. Hopefully I'll still be in the business, and have my fifth or sixth album out by then, be on tour. I love being on the road. Maybe I'll have done a film in there somewhere. I love acting. I definitely will have time to settle down and have babies. You always have to go back, to be normal, because in this business you travel so much. Every time I go home, I can regroup and calm down.
