From Mickey Mouse to The Golden Goose

By Katherine Spafford

The dictionary may have to be reprinted to include a picture of her under the definition of Pop Culture. At twenty, she’s up in the ranks with Oprah, Julia Roberts and Tom Cruise as the 100 Most Powerful People in Show Business. Yes, Britney Spears, whether you love her or hate her, you can’t deny that the little Mouseketeer has made it big.

Britney’s list of accomplishments include three albums (the third was certified quadruple platinum) and has a huge advertising contract with Pepsi with ads that run in the ultra-exclusive (and expensive) time slots during the Super Bowl. She’s shared the stage with fellow pop icon, Michael Jackson and dates the almost as popular Justin Timberlake, N’SYNC’s male version of herself (she claims to be in love), and now Crossroads, her film debut was the number two movie in the country the weekend it was released. Can this girl do no wrong?

Since coming onto the scene in 1998, Britney has changed her image, to put it mildly. Long gone is the innocent, demure, doe-eyed girl-next-door featured on the cover of her first CD. With her sweet Southern drawl and overflowing charisma, Britney has grown to be quite the seductress, Her provocative videos and concerts have raised an eyebrow or two. But although some may disapprove, something, if not everything, seems to be working.
Britney, sat down with UniverCity to talk about her celebrity, her film debut, and her best disguise…

UniverCity: As a singer, it’s not always that easy to switch to acting. Why do you think that is?
B: I don’t know man. I’ll I know is that if my movie had been a big flop, then I would have known what not to do next time.

UniverCity: Since the basic idea for the movie was yours, was it your idea for your character to sing?
Britney: I came up with the general idea of the girls going on the road trip, but the whole story and all the details and stuff the writer came in and helped me with. In the beginning of making this film I didn’t really know if I wanted to have singing in it, but the writer and I started talking about it and thought it would spice it up a little bit to have a little performance in there.

UniverCity: The scene where you were dressed very provocatively in your underwear - why did you decide to do that?
B: Because that’s real. All girls wake up in the morning and I personally sleep in a T-shirt. She had her briefs on and she was just chilling and singing. I don’t know. That’s what I do.

UniverCity: Where you embarrassed at all that you had to perform like that in front of the whole crew?
B: We made sure that not that many people were allowed on the set that day. It’s part of the character and what she was about. I think it brought a realness to it.

UniverCity: You have your little sister in the movie. She seems to be natural performer.
B: It’s really eerie to look at my little sister because she reminds me so much of me when I was younger. She is so much more talented than I ever was though. She’s a little genius, she really is.

UniverCity: How much different is it to prepare for a show than it is to do a scene in a film?
B: They’re two totally different things when you’re on stage and when you’re acting. I was so used to being on stage and getting that instant reaction. When you’re on camera there is so much time waiting and then you’ve got to get into character. It’s also cool because if you mess up you can do it over again. It’s so fascinating that you can do one line so many different ways.

UniverCity: You have become this huge success. Is it overwhelming and how do you react to it all?
B: I think it’s very flattering. Honestly it’s 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.

UniverCity: And with your success you’ve made lots of money. Is there anything that you need?
B: Honestly I have everything I want, so I would probably say health and for me to have healthy kids and to marry the man of my dreams.

UniverCity: In your life, have you gotten any advice that still rings true to you today and who was it that told you?
B: Probably my mom telling me to always be true to yourself, and do what you want to do, and don’t take any bull from anybody…and show them what you’ve got.

UniverCity: Everyone makes mistakes. What do you think your biggest mistake has been so far?
B: I don’t want to tell my biggest mistake to the whole world. Trust me, I’ve made plenty. I don’t regret them because they have made me the person I’m right now.

UniverCity: Do you keep a diary?
B: No, I don’t. I say my prayers in my diary because I usually fall asleep if I say my prayers out loud, so I write them down in a journal. But I don’t write about my day or anything.

UniverCity: What about writing songs and that kind of thing?
B: I write poetry and stuff.

UniverCity: What really makes you cringe in life?
B: Interviews [laughs]. Not being with my boyfriend as much as I want to be.

UniverCity: Speaking of Justin, how did you maintain a relationship with another high profile performer and maintain a degree of privacy at the same time?
B: It’s kinda hard sometimes. We’re trying to see each other whenever we can. But we have such a major foundation and I think if you love that person you just work it out.

UniverCity: Was he jealous with the kissing or love scenes that you did in the movie?
B: We’ve both come to accept that’s it's just a part of what we do. I don’t personally like it. It doesn’t make me feel like a million dollars, but it’s just acting.

UniverCity: Because you have such a high profile romance, when you come into an interview with something big and sparkly on your finger, it makes me wonder if it’s something more significant than just a friendly ring?
B: It’s just a ring. It’s just a butterfly [laughs].

UniverCity: What is romantic to you?
B: 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 I love, be intimate with them, and have good conversation. I find that romantic.

UniverCity: What is the craziest thing a guy has ever done for you?
B: Justin suprises me all the time. He totally fascinates me on that level.

UniverCity: When it comes to the music, what favorite CD’s do you have in your collection?
B: I listen to Otis Redding a lot. I love him. I think he’s just awesome. There is nothing better than putting him on and getting in a tub, lighting some candles and just chilling.

UniverCity: What was the first concert you ever went to?
B: TLC and Boys to Men.

UniverCity: It must be hard for you to maintain friendships especially with other girls that you grew up with considering your lifestyle now. What is your criteria for good friendship?
B: I’ve been really blessed with my friendships that I have right now. I have three girlfriends. That is kinda what inspired me to even do this movie. I still have my girlfriend that I grew up with. We went to daycare with each other. We’re very close. We feel comfortable with each other and we’re honest…and total goobs. True friend’s are still your friends when you’re away for six months and then when you see them again it’s like "Hey what’s up?" You have that connection with your true friends.

UniverCity: You’ve been criticized for the provocative stage persona that you’ve taken on. There are some people who feel that it’s not appropriate for somebody your age. How do you answer that?
B: Everybody has got an opinion. I do what I want to do. I get on stage and I love to perform. You either like it or you don’t.

UniverCity: As your concerts become more complex with more choreography, are they as much fun as they used to be?
B: Gosh, yes. That’s what drives me to do what I do. 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.

UniverCity: Your mutual admiration with Madonna is documented. What is it about Madonna that you dig and what is it about you that she digs?
B: I don’t know what it is about me that she digs [laughs]. I love the fact that when she goes on stage she is so amazing. She is one of the best entertainers of all time. I love the way she controls the audience. The fact that she has been able to do it all, I respect that. She has been able to do movies and she has got a beautiful kid. I respect that a lot. I’m not going to follow in her footsteps completely but she’s definitely an inspiration for me.

UniverCity: Do you have another movie lined up?
B: There is a script that I’m reading right now that I’m absolutely in love with, but I don’t have the part yet, but I’m going to see what I can do.

UniverCity: Are you recording another album?
B: No. I’m going to try the acting a bit first. It will probably be awhile ‘til I do another album.

UniverCity: Your character was Valedictorian. What were you like in school?
B: I wasn’t Valedictorian, but I was on the honor roll. I played basketball…but I definitely wasn’t the most popular girl in school.

UniverCity: What do you do in your spare time?
B: I just love hanging out, watching t.v, and ordering room service. I’m addicted to spas. I love going to the spa and getting massages.

UniverCity: What’s your best disguise to go in public?
B: I have some really dorky granny glasses that I wear with this big cap. Every time I wear that, nobody says anything. I shouldn’t have just said that man! Damn!