Britney Spears GQ Uk Interview

I've seen Britney Spears three times a week for the last ten months, and always when I'm not wearing much more than a sweaty T-shirt and a pair of running shorts. Britney's videos are big in my gym, as I'm sure they are in yours, in fact as I'm sure they are in gyms all over the country; and my thrice- weekly 60-minute work-outs are not complete without fashion TV, Aerobics Oz style and VH1's constant rotation of her pop promo's: in the gym at One Aldwych Hotel in London "Baby One More Time”, Oops I Did It Again" and the like have become as ubiquitous as Sky News or MTV's Cribs.

It is through these erotic pop promos, and her highly choreographed photo-sessions- like the new one here- that Britney Spears has built up a fan base that perhaps has not yet brought into her records. I wouldn't imagine that many of the men in my gym are dedicated consumers of Britney Spears CD's, but to them age is as famous as Madonna, and about 20 years sexier. Britney (so called because her grandmother Lil came from Britain) is a proper postmodern sexual icon. A perfect contradiction of angel and harlot, which is how we like our sex symbols, be they Marilyn Monroe, Debbie Harry or Elizabeth Hurley. In the last four years she's sold more records than Madonna has in the last ten, nearly 50 million all-told, and she's only 21. She seemed destined for stardom at an early age, entering a talent contest at the age of six, auditioning for the Mickey Mouse Club soon after, and kick-starting her career by endlessly touring shopping malls. This was all followed a stint at the Professional Performing Arts School (basically the "fame" school), and then hit records (big hit records) from the age of 16. Her new record seems like a conscious attempt to attract an older audience without alienating her beloved twenties, containing, as it does lines such as "don't stop, we're halfway there”, "arching my back" and would you undo my zipper please" (how Britney of her to say please). Her new songs are overtly sexual, and display a new level of self awareness: they have hints of both Donna summer and Prince - at their peak, both successful merchants of slick lasciviousness - and seem more playful and less constructive than her earlier stuff (at times it sounds like Donna summer actually having sex with prince) The Louisiana gal is working with hip producers, too and her new album has contributions form the Matrix (who worked with Avril Lavigne), Mirwais (Madonna), 7Aurelias (Ashanti) and the Neptunes (everyone).

So having spent so much time with her in the gym, I thought I ought to meet her in person. GQ was invited to New York to spend a day with her, so I thought it would be rude to say no. As editor, you can sometimes feel like a glorified travel agent, sending the likes of AA Gill off to Rio, Martin Deeson off to Angola, and Will Self off to walk round Oxford with Radiohead's Thom Yorke (I once attempted to send Boris Johnson off to test drive a tank). Some things, though, you occasionally want to do your self. And what curious, red-blooded gym going chap between the ages of 15 and 50 wouldn't want to meet the sexy little pop princess? She turned out to be delightful: fantastically sexy, funny and smart. Pop princesses are obviously not meant to be like this, and several of my lady friends were mortified when I told them what she was like. But there you are: Britney is a libidinous deity, and there's nothing any of you can do about it.

GQ: How the devil are you?
Britney Spears: Once I get a cappuccino in me, I'll be cool

How many do you need?
Just the one.

Your new record seems like a fairly calculated attempt at appealing to an older market. Is this fair?
It’s not deliberately meant to be an adult record although it does have that feel to it. It was accidental more than anything, but I see what you're saying. A lot of people were like. " Let's write dark stuff!" but I'm not a dark person, I don't like dark things.

Lyrically it's overtly sexual.
A lot of the songs are kind of sexual, but I think when you're being sexual and really putting yourself out there, there's nothing sacred anymore about it, and there's nothing subtle about it. This is more sensual than sexual. It's mischievous, that's my interpretation of it. Sometimes you see a girl in a video and you think, "God, she looks like such a @#%$," so you've got to make sure you're not too vulgar.

Well, you don't seem vulgar, but a lot of your success is based on the fact that you're not only appealing to tweenies but also guys in their twenties, thirties and forties. You are sex incarnate. There must be some kind of initiative here?
Honestly, I don’t think there is intent. When I write a song, I'm not like, " I'm going to have all these guys."

But you are a good-looking woman...
Well, I've always been... It's not like I'm sexual person, but I think that I'm a very spiritual person and when you're in touch with all sides of yourself, I think that’s attractive. When someone comes into a room and they’re trying to be sexy it comes across in the wrong way. I think when you're just open about yourself and you feel comfortable, and when you're in touch with your sexual side, that’s a lot sexier. Of course there's a time and a place for everything. I don't go into the room and talk to my mom about sex.

I should hope not. One of the things, which come across so strongly from watching you perform, is your astonishing confidence.
Do you want me to be completely honest with you? At heart, when I was at high school, I was always a very confident person. I look back now and I'm like, "Boy, I really believed in myself". If I had to do everything back then today, I'd be really nervous because I think you become more insecure the more famous you get. I had an uncomfortable period about six months ago when I didn't feel myself, but I'm out of it. You have to be confident. I feel better now than ever and maybe I had to go through real insecurity to feel like that.

You have a definite idea of how you want to project yourself.
Well, you can't worry too much, you know I did an interview from a magazine the other day and they made me sound like such a dumbass. I read the interview and I was like I'd never say that", y'know what I mean? So you just go with it and be yourself and they say what they want to say, the @#%$.

Britney said @#%$! You get a fair amount of criticism for the way you dress.
In everyday life, I wear what I like. I seriously just threw this @#%$ on. No wonder I get on the worst dressed list because I go out there a bit. Sometimes what I wear is inappropriate but I'm not into gowns and when I'm out at events I guess I kinda stand out. You've got to dress the way you feel otherwise what's the point?

Are your clothes beginning to reflect your new grown-up image?
The Imagery? Hell, no. I mean, I'm not going to go around dressing like a grandma or something like that.

How important as a woman is it for you to be attractive to men?
I think when women really want a boyfriend, it shows and it looks so stupid. They act so forward, it's like, "Just freaking be yourself!" The only time you have a really perfect relationship is when you're completely comfortable with yourself and you're happy with being alone. A guy doesn't want a girl to get on his nerves and be all over him. I've always been a tomboy; I've always ended up being the man in the relationship. I know it sounds really wired, but it's hard for me to let go and let the man take control, put it that way. That can be unattractive sometimes; I need to work on that.

When did you first realize that you were a sex symbol?
A sex symbol, I don't know. I really don't like being called a sex symbol!

Come on, you're one of the sexiest women in the world!
Oh my God! I can't believe you just said that!

Come on, you're being coy. It's not a bad thing is it?
I guess it's kind of flattering.

Yeah, it's kind of hugely flattering.
Yeah OK, How did I realize? Probably the first Rolling Stone cover, shot by David LaChapelle. He came in and did the photos and totally tricked me.

Were they those teddy bear pictures? They were fabulous.
They were cool but I didn't really know what the hell I was doing. And, to be totally honest with you, at the time I was 16, so I really didn't. I was back in my bedroom, and I had my little sweater on and he was like, 'Undo your sweater a little bit more." The whole thing was about me being into dolls, and in my naive mind I was like, "Here are my dolls!" and now I look back and I'm like, "Oh my gosh, what the hell?" But he did a very good job of portraying me in that way. It certainly wasn't peaches and cream.

What's the biggest misconception people might have about you?
There's no telling what all these people think, but some people may think I'm into this diva thing, but actually I'm very low-key.

You're not high maintenance?
Not high maintenance at all. As long as I have a starbucks I'm happy...

When did you last have a hissy fit?
The other day, and I don't mind talking about this, because actually I need to talk about it. I think there's a time and a place for you to lose your temper. I don't like to be taken advantage of because I'm young and sometimes people do that. They think I'm young so they try and suck me in.

Do you think people like the fact that you're obviously not as innocent as they once thought?
As far as the whole sex thing goes, I really did think that Justin [Timberlake] was going to be the one I was going to marry so I did the thing with him after three years. And I don't think that's a bad thing. You can still be a nice person and wholesome and still go out every once in a while. Just because I've admitted to having sex doesn't make me a bad person, does it? I think they [the press] thought even before I had sex, that I was going to do it one day anyway, so I don't really think it makes any difference at all.

You're far more open than I expected you to be.
That's because I need therapy and I talk to guys and I get out.

Good answer.
Oh @#%$.

What about movies? One assumes there are going to be more after your debut last year in Crossroads.
I would love to do another film, but the scripts lately really suck, every script that I get... everyone's trying to copy Legally Blonde; let's get a girl who's kind of a ditz and throw her into a totally different world. It's so clichéd and not what I want.

How did you handle fame at such a young age?
I don't know. I think my Mom raised me really well. Seriously, when I was six years old I was singing all the time, singing and performing obnoxiously. My mom's friends thought something was wrong with me because I wouldn't shut the @#%$ up.

How easy is it to deal with unwanted male attention?
I don't put myself in situations where I feel uncomfortable. If I go to a club and there are a bunch guys and they start saying vulgar things we just go to the next place.

Do you get groupies? I suppose you must do.
Yeah, sometimes. They come to the hotels and you walk out and sign their autographs, it's kind of cute.

Cute, but there's a line between cute and stalker.
There are some people that I see and I'm like, " Oh my God, They're scaring me right now." There's just a look in their eye that makes me think, "Get away from me!" I've seen those people they're weird.

How bling are you?
Not very. I've got a Mercedes SL500, and I've got a Navigator - I think that's what it's called. It's just a really big truck. I'm not really a big spender, man. I don't like brand names.

Oh come on.
No, I'm for real. The other day I had this new stylist and she was like, "Oh we need to get you this new blah collection," and I went across the street to a little vintage place and brought a five-dollar shirt. If I go to an event and there's this crazy outfit from Prada, @#%$, I'm going to wear it. But in everyday life I don't like the hoop-la going on. I think it's stupid when you see guys with big necklaces, I think that are the biggest turn off in the world. Who do they think they? I think that shows a lack of something. Sorry!

What do you eat?
@#%$, I don't know. I like sushi, tuna fish. I'm really weird; I eat the same thing everyday. I like Nobu. The black cod it serves the best food in the world.

Books?
Mastery Of Love: A Practical Guide To The Art Of Relationship by Don Miguel Ruiz, I like that a lot. It's an inspirational self-help book. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is also an amazing book; I'm in the middle of that right now.

What about the books from childhood?
I didn't read that much when I was a kid.

No? OK, tell us about an item of clothing that shaped your identity.
I always got into trouble at school for my clothes, man.

That doesn't surprise me.
I would start the freaking trends but then I'd be the one that got sent home for it. One time this teacher just totally lost it with me and I was like, "Go get laid!"

Are you a good liar?
Horrible. When I lie, this part of my jaw goes to the side like this [does funny thing with her mouth.] It'll go to the side and I don't even know it. I cannot lie at all.

OK, you sure? What keeps you going in a crisis?
Starbucks.

Do angels exist?
Definitely. I have some stories that I won't share with you because people will think I'm crazy, but yes, they definitely exist.

Share one.
No, they're my stories.

All right, suit yourself. Under pain of death, would you ever eat human flesh?
Hell, no.

Look, if you don't eat it, you're going to die.
No.

So, you'd prefer to die?
I'd prefer to die.

If you could change one thing about you body, what would it be?
My nose, my hair, my fingernails, my elbows and my toes.

OK, I just asked for one, but that's all right. Do you like men with facial hair?
Uh-Hun, not the body though. I don't want any hair on your back or on your chest. I do like it on the face, though. I think that's really sexy.

What's a perfect Friday night?
Going to a movie with the guy you really like and then coming back and watching more movies and having ice cream and sitting there and then having a kiss and then he leaves. I want that so bad right now.

You really want me to believe that?
Yes, because when you're first dating a guy, you can't really go there with him. I think it's more sacred and special if you just kiss.

I so don't believe you, but whatever. Do you have it within yourself to kill someone?
Hell, no. No, if someone hurt my little sister, I would kill them instantly, no doubt about it. So yeah I guess I do.

You have 20 seconds to advertise something. Go on.
Starbucks is really great.

If you could make one apology, what would it be?
I wouldn't apologize because I think everything happens for a reason and if I did make a mistake I wouldn't be the person I am today. So, I wouldn't apologize for anything.

Nothing at all? Good for you. Now is there a discernible difference between British men and American men?
I would need to hang around British men more to have that answer because I really don't know. I do like your sense of humor though. It's fun to be around anyone that makes you laugh. It makes the whole environment a little bit lighter so I think it's really cool that you guys do that.

OK, you are currently one of the most eligible single women in the world. So, what's the worst thing a guy can do on a date?
Don't take me out somewhere too nice. I'm really easy, seriously.

Starbucks, we'll take you to Starbucks.
Honestly the only advice I can give is just be yourself and be fun and just be light and make me laugh.

Who were your role models when you were younger?
Madonna. Hmmm, ultimate role model? Madonna.

And, Madonna and Madonna...
Yeah, she was the one person I really looked up to. I just liked her whole projection; she was sexy without trying to hard. A lot of performed think that everyone's against them, so they end up putting up barriers. And I'm like, "just let go and express yourself." Madonna did that. She did not give a @#%$. I idolize that. There's no @#%$ involved with her.

Do you find it odd that you have replaced her in people's affections?
I don't know. I think Madonna got away with more vulgar things, she was more explicit. That's the thing about Madonna. She was completely herself to the core. That's what made her a true star. But it's not really me to go that far.

More insecure people would not relish any kind of comparison but you seem to like it.
Yeah, I like that, why not? @#%$, I really like being compared to Madonna. I don't have a big ego everybody knows that. But when you're compared to somebody you've always looked up to, it's natural for you to be totally flattered.

But we all have egos, whatever we do. How important is rivalry?
Bribery?

Rivalry.
Honestly, I don't have a rivalry with anyone. The press makes you have rivalries with people, but for me, when I see other artists doing things, it seriously inspires me. It's like, "Oh God, I better do something cool now." Do you understand what I'm saying?

Yeah, but your mouth is doing that thing again.
It is?

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