YM - October 2001
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH BRITNEY
This is NOT the full article in the October issue of YM. It is merely the online article. www.ym.com.
The Scoop Behind the Scenes
Britney arrives an hour late for ym's cover shoot, but not because the pop princess was out partying the night before — a studio session that ran until 4 a.m. is Brit's excuse. Makeup-free, looking cute in granny glasses, with her hair in a top knot, Britney makes her first stop at our catering table for coffee and bagels. Before she's even had a chance to finish her breakfast, she's whisked off for a marathon three hours in hair and makeup. While she's being pampered and preened, Brit spills her style philosophy, talks about her new album, and gives us the lowdown on life with Justin.
Tell us about the new album...
This next album has a variety of songs. It's a lot rockier and edgier, like if I was in a bad mood, I would like [to listen to] an attitude, badass album, you know? But a lot of the songs are talking about me just being in love. "Bring Me Home" is just a really sweet song talking about when I'm on the road so much and I get so lonely — If you really want to know me just listen to that album and you can see totally what I'm going through. There's one song called "Before Goodbye," which is talking about when you're with someone and you're trying to savor every moment, but you can't really be in the moment, because that person's about to leave you. And there are other songs about being overprotected and just people scrutinizing every little thing that I do and not being able to win. How I'm always tired of being someone and trying to please everyone — just let me be me.
And you've worked with some great producers on this album, like BT...
BT did Pop for *NSYNC, too. When you're in the studio with him, he's a genius. You'll hear a song and you'll be like, oh it's cool; then, six weeks later, after he's done something to it, you're like, oh my gosh! I remember the first time I heard Pop, I was listening to it and sitting there, then eventually I had to get up — I just wanted to dance; I was freaking out; I just wanted to get up on the table!
Are the songs on this album different from those on the other two?
They're different in that they're coming from me, and when you write something yourself you have a totally different approach. It's a lot more mature, I think. On the last album I did, there are so many songs that are weird when I listen to them now. I'm like oh my God! I feel like I've changed so much. Just the way I look and sound and the kind of music I listen to. I don't know what the difference is — maybe it's just because I'm a little bit older.
Do you think your style has changed a lot since you've become famous?
Yeah, I do. You know how when you go through a photo album at home, you're like "Why was my hair like that?" Well I have to do that with the whole world! I went to a store and I was seeing all these pictures of me from three or four years ago, and I wanted to cry. I was like, "Oh no, people are gonna see these and laugh at them."
What's the next look for you?
Oh, I don't know. Honestly, I change my hair way too often; my mom's worried that it's going to fall out. I've got this thing where I go to the grocery store and I color it myself. It's just easier. Actually, my hair stylist, who's one of the most expensive in the world, is like, "Who did your color? It looks so wonderful!" I did it myself and everyone thinks it just looks beautiful. But the next look? I don't know, whatever hits me at the moment. I'm starting to get over this blond hair; it's really getting on my nerves, so I may change it. We'll see.
Do you ever get inspiration from TV or movies?
I don't really watch too much TV. I look at magazines and stuff like that. I have some stores here in New York that I get inspiration from, but a lot of times I just make my own stuff. When I was doing the movie [working title Not A Girl], I made so much jewelry, I was getting really crafty. Bracelets and shoes and stuff. I like taking a pair of jeans and messing them up and making them unique. Girls should do that at home. Me and my girlfriends, they'll come out and get the BeDazzlers and we'll sit there and we'll BeDazzle our shirts — it's fun!
Which celebrity closet would you like to raid?
Probably Kate Hudson. I love stuff like her old, worn-out jeans and sweet little tops. Either her or Drew Barrymore, because I think her clothing's kind of crazy.
Do you think you'd be getting all this attention about your love life if you weren't dating a celebrity [Justin Timberlake]?
I don't know. I guess it does make it more of a challenge, because he's in the biggest boy group in the world! You know, when I do my thing, or anything that we do together, it does make you stand out. But what are you going to do? We just try to be with each other and not pay attention to press.
When you have fights, who is the first to say I'm sorry?
He is … I'll admit it! I'm just very stubborn, I can't say I'm sorry and I don't know why. I just can't admit I'm wrong. I know it's bad, it really is. He is great at that. He's really good at ending arguments and stuff. He's always the one to just talk it out. Like when I get mad, I just walk away.
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