So Alexia, you released a new album ("Happy"), this year. How did you feel about it?
"I was very pleased to put together a third album. It's a promising sign because it means that my career is blooming. When I look back at 1995 when my first single was released, I remember feeling as though I'd finally achieved something but on the inside I was worried that there would not be a follow up single and that I would be a one hit wonder. To get to the stage of where I am today means that I have been more than just a one hit wonder. There have been changes since "The Party" album. When I put this album together, I was very enthusiastic and lived in state of imence joy. When I started working on the album "Happy", however, my enthusiam changed more into responsibility. The third album has been more of a meditated album with an outline to show my real capabilities. Marco Canepa has worked alongside my producer, Roberto Zanetti, for
many years. He was already on the DWA scene when I was working with Double You. Our vision of the third album and its heavy commitment needed someone who could work with great zeal. Marco Canepa fit the bill perfectly."
And as for the songs on the album, which do you like best?
"The songs of which I'm most proud of are: "Goodbye" and "Save a prayer". I think that "Goodbye" is a good song even if it's a different kind of style to what my producer had got the public used to. I think that it reflects the growth of my artistic career during these years. I am a "real" singer and I wanted to show this."
"Change your life" was going to be released as a single but wasn't, what happened?
"Even though there is a preference of a single for release, sometimes things can change direction. The management, the record company and production team often change their minds because it's just not easy to know which is the right song to release at the right time."
And then "Goodbye" got delayed in the UK.
"Things work differently in the UK than in other countries, this I'm sure you know since you live there. It's a very important country, therefore the record company decided to dedicate more time for promotions in the UK. Although first of all, it's important that I promote it in other countries too."
Did you enjoy the video shoots for the singles?
"Yes, I really enjoy shooting my videos especially when I'm in the right mood. Not every day's the same, it can sometimes happen that I find it difficult to give my best but overall it's a part of my job that I very much enjoy doing."
This years seen a major Italian tour. What were the highlights?
"There have been many important events in Italy. Out of all of them I reckon the most important event was taking part in the Italian show "Caramba che fortuna" (I think it's called "Surprise, Surprise" in England) which is shown on Saturday and followed by a large part of the Italian public. I've just recently taken part in a huge concert organised by Wella in Milan infront of 9000 people."
And as for other countries and the future?
"I visited Japan recently. Japan was very interesting. They're extremely organised and polite. I'd quite happily return to the US, I really liked it there. I'll be mostly in Italy at the end of December. In the new year I'll get back into the full rhythm of promotions."
You also met two of your biggest fans this year, how was it?
"I was thrilled to meet them. They're both lovely but very different from one another. Stelios is very chatty whilst Tero is extremely shy. It was a great satisfaction to meet huge fans of mine and I think very highly of them both."
Any rumours that appeared in the Italian press this year that you want to deny?
"Yes, there is a rumour going around that is very untrue: that I no longer like dance music. It's not true! I still like and will always like dance music."
What do you think of the Spice Girls solo projects?
"I've always believed that whoever has talent gets what they so rightly deserve. Who doesn't have talent goes back to where they belong. That's what I think anyway. Reality decides. It doesn't take away the fact that the "Spice Girls" were huge and I've always been one of their fans."
And Geri's music?
"I think she's honest with herself. She knows she hasn't got a strong voice and has therefore worked on her other strong points such as her freshness and cheerful personality. She has a good sense of humour and is achieving success in an intelligent way."
Why was there a switch in labels from Dancepool to Epic?
"It was a choice made by the record company and not mine personally. However, it gave me great satisfaction."
This years seen you pose with your mother for a magazine, go clubbing at "home" and meet famous people. How was it all?
"I really enjoyed myself at "home". It's a great club. Have you ever been there? Take my advice and get down there (if you haven't already that is)! Me and my mother had some photos taken together that have been published in some recent magazines here in Italy. I was very proud to see my mother and I posing together in magazines. When I meet famous people, I behave exactly as if I were to meet a normal person. However there are exceptions: if I were ever to meet Whitney Houston or Tina Turner then I would have to have twenty camomile teas to calm me down, let alone ask for their autographs!"
And as for the fans?
"My fans are adorable. Thanks to the Internet I've had the chance to get to know lots of wonderful people that I hope will continue to keep in contact. I'd like to say "hello" to them one at a time, but there's too many names to mention! The pages dedicated to me are the best I've ever seen. I'd like to say to my fans that I shall never forget them, not just because they have always shown great affection towards me, but because they have respected the difficult sides to my character such as shyness and decretion. This is their way of showing the greatest and most sincere affection on their part.
I'd like to take the opportunity to wish all my fans a wonderful Christmas and a very happy year 2000."
