Britney Talks "Crossroads"
Feature film debut to open in two
weeks.
Reigning pop diva
Britney Spears had a big year in 2001 -- singing at the Super Bowl, landing
a Pepsi endorsement deal, releasing her third solo album, Britney, touring
the U.S., and turning twenty. Mention any of this to Britney and you'll
find her unfazed.
Taking to Madonna's
school of reinvention, in 2002 Britney has already surprised and delighted
fans with her American Music Awards performance of "Not a Girl, Not Yet
a Woman," in a simple evening gown, sans dancers and snakes. Fans now await
the release of her first leading role in a movie, as Lucy in Crossroads,
which opens on February 15th. During a Friday conference call with press,
Britney talked about crossing over onto the big screen.
When did you feel you completely
connected with your character and became Lucy?
I had a week before
the movie where I really just sat down and really thought through the character
and who she was. I think probably two weeks into it I really had a good
idea of who she was and what she was about. But I think just playing her
every day and the more interaction with the other characters made me feel
her character even more so.
How would you compare what goes through
your head performing onstage to what happens when you're acting?
Two totally different
feelings. When I'm onstage, I get that instant gratification of the audience
being there and with it being live and everything. But when you're doing
a movie it's more . . . laid back. And you can do a line over if you mess
up. And you can do it so many more different ways. It's still you expressing
yourself. I think one is just more intense than the other.
Were you afraid of a script that
dealt with such heavy issues as teen pregnancy?
No, not at all. I think
as much as we want to try to cover up things like that, that's real. And
I think it's important . . . kids see that and they don't feel alone in
that.
If you could remake a movie with
Justin [Timberlake of 'N Sync, Spears' boyfriend] which one would it be?
I would love to remake
Love Story. I like the way their chemistry between each other [worked].
What was the hardest scene for you
to film in Crossroads?
Probably the scene
when I [as Lucy] went to see my mom [played by Kim Cattrall]. It was really
devastating to picture someone having to go through that, and when I had
to do the crying scene all the cameras were on and I'm like, "OK, I gotta
cry now." It was just very hard and it wasn't fun at all trying to . .
. imagine a little girl going through that.
Did you ever talk to Kim Cattrall
about guest starring on Sex and the City?
No, I didn't, but you
know what? That's a really good idea 'cause I would really love to be on
the show, and I think it's amazing.
Is it true your co-star Anson Mount
ate garlic before your first kissing scene?
Yes, I didn't appreciate
[laughs] it, but boys will be boys!
Can you tell us about your upcoming
role in the next Austin Powers film?
I can't give anything
away [laughs], but I will say it's very entertaining.
Do you prefer comedic or dramatic
acting?
I would have to say
its easier for me probably to do comedy like SNL because I grew up in the
theater. When I was like twelve-and thirteen-years-old, I did Ruthless.
And that's where I really feel at home.
Why isn't there a soundtrack for
the film?
I'm only on the second
single of my album. I'm concentrating on that instead. There were three
songs [in the movie] and the timing of my album gave me a chance to put
them on that. And other than that there weren't that many things to be
incorporated to do a soundtrack.
Would you give up singing for a film
career?
I would never, ever
want to leave my singing career, but I have to say it was one of the most
exciting things I've done in a while. I'd done two albums and two tours
and I needed something different, where I could really challenge myself.
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