JOHN: Is this cool, special for you?BRITNEY SPEARS: I know, it's so exciting to be home, my hometown.
JOHN: Is this cool, special for you?
BRITNEY: Yeah, oh God yes.
JOHN: Anything special planned for tonight's show?
BRITNEY: Um, no not really. I'm just gonna talk to the crowd a lot, you know, 'cause my family's out there and all my friends, you know. They'll be screaming for me. I'm excited.
JOHN: Well, as you know, we kinda spent the day in Kentwood and kinda delved into your past and met some family and friends. Do you...first of all, let me talk to you about growing up in a, in a town that's pretty small of, you know, by most standards. A lot of people would think that it would be tough to, you know, to really break out and do what you've done, coming from a town that small. How tough was it?
BRITNEY: Well, it was really strange because, like, I was always the one telling my mom, you know, "I want to go to gymnastics, I wanna go to vocal lessons" you know, and, you know, people were like, "You're taking your child to New York?" , you know? 'Cause I'm like, from such a small town it was just, like, really strange but I'm just so thankful that they were so supportive throughout the whole time. They just knew this is what I wanted to do and they just went that extra mile to support me, you know? So, I'm just so happy for that.
JOHN: What is the best thing and the worst thing about growing up in Kentwood?
BRITNEY: The best thing and the worst thing? Well, the best thing is just that, you know, I mean, it's just, I can...it's just your home, you know? You've got your...my grandpa, and my, you know, my granny and I can just go next door if I want to and if she's gonna cook me some pie or whatever, you know? It's just so laid back. But then again, um, everyone knows your business. That's the bad thing about it. Everyone, you know, talk, you know, talking behind your back and stuff like that. And um, so when I do come home I kind of have to keep it a secret sometimes because they're like, so many people who are just, you know...
JOHN: Low profile?
BRITNEY: Oh yeah, oh yeah.
JOHN: You can't go hang out at Sonic anymore?
BRITNEY: Oh yeah, yeah, I can. Yeah, me and my cousin Laura Lynn, we always drive up in Sonic so...
JOHN: So now, I know you were back there for Christmas, in Kentwood right? Is the reaction of people different? I mean, do they treat you differently now after what's, everything that's happened in the last six months?
BRITNEY: No, I mean, there's a lot more like, "Congratulations", you know, "I'm so happy for you," and stuff like that but no, 'cause like my friends are like my sisters, you know? So, I mean, it's like, when I go home it's so like, "Oh, let's go do this, let's go..." It's completely normal. I don't have to worry about, you know, them treating me any differently at all. Because I've known them for all my life. I grew up with them, so...
JOHN: Do you think, do you think the small town environment, the small town roots, helps you, as far as being out, seeing as much of the world, being around the things you're around now as opposed to having grown up kind of a wild child in midtown Manhattan, for instance?
BRITNEY: I think so, I think I'm more grounded, you know, and I know what I want out of life and I'm, you know, my morals are really, you know, strong and I have major beliefs about certain things and I think that has helped me, you know, from being, you know, coming from a really small town.
JOHN: Speaking of which, I mean, I'm sure there are some conservative types in a small town. Did any of them think, "Wow, you know, why are you letting your daughter get into such a, you know, big bad business like the music industry?"
BRITNEY: I'm sure there were. I mean, 'cause my mom, you know, there were times that she would be like "You know, some lady called me up and was like, "What are you doing, you know, sending your child to New York and..." You know, it was really a crazy thing to do, but then all of the...
JOHN: A stranger or...?
BRITNEY: Just a friend.
JOHN: So there were some people who had something to say about...
BRITNEY: Yeah, but it was really weird because all of the sudden, six months later, they're sending their child to, you know, away and trying to, you know, so that was funny. JOHN: Do you, do you feel like you've been an inspiration to other kids in Kentwood or anywhere else?
BRITNEY: I mean, I hope so. I hope that, you know, if they have something that, you know, talent singing, dancing, or acting, or whatever it may be, and you know, God has given them that gift to do that, then they should, you know, go for it and try to, you know, let the world see it.
JOHN: I gotta' tell you, I was, um, impressed and kinda surprised when I talked to your mom about the period when you guys went to New York and you did the off Broadway show and, that, she was, she didn't seem to like, be very concerned about you, you know, young girl, being in the big city and, granted, she was with you but, um, she seemed like she was completely supportive of it.
BRITNEY: Oh yeah, totally. Oh, gosh yes. My dad and my family and everyone has been so supportive. And it was really strange because it was really hard at first, you know, being in New York at such a young age but then I went to school and then like, being younger, you're gonna find new friends and you're gonna' have certain things that you do during the day to have fun. So, yeah, it worked out good.
JOHN: Yet, you're lucky to have parents who are supportive like that. 'Cause I'm sure there are a lot of people who'd be tougher, right?
Britney: Right, right.
JOHN: I guess they had been convinced because you had already done quite a bit up to that point. You did the MMC thing, you did...I mean, you had some success before you...
BRITNEY: Right, right and I just drove my mom crazy, singing all the time and she's like, "Lord, she needs to sing." You know, with the hairspray, in front of the mirror.
JOHN: She said something about it was hard to get you to shut up. Did you have any idols that you wanted to emulate that you really listened to a lot growing up?
BRITNEY: Yeah, Whitney Houston, oh my God. I loved her. And Madonna, you know, in "Like a Prayer" and all those songs. Prince and, oh God... Mariah Carey.
JOHN: So, was...I read, something I read recently, that it was in church at age four that was, I guess, officially your first public performance?
BRITNEY: I don't even remember!
JOHN: And it said you did "What Child Is This"?
BRITNEY: Right, and I saw a video camera of it and I had my head turned to the side like that 'cause I was so nervous, it was so cute.
JOHN: Oh, so a tape exists of this?
BRITNEY: Yeah.
JOHN: Oh wow, I'd love to see that.
BRITNEY: Oh my goodness.
JOHN: So, um, do you remember was there any point at which you...was it a gradual thing that you decided, "This is what I want to do for a career?"
BRITNEY: It was probably um, when I was on the Mickey Mouse Club that I realized that I had such a major love for music, because we had concerts and we got to be in the recording studio and I was just in love with music. And that's when I realized, I wanna' go for this. But when the show was canceled, um, um sad, I went home and I was just like a normal kid, you know, I went to the Prom and the whole Homecoming deal. And then I was like, you know, "I want to perform again and I want to get out there." And I had an entertainment lawyer, Larry, in New York and I came up there and pop music was coming back and it just really made sense. So I went to Jive records and they signed me so...
JOHN: This is like a year and a half ago?
BRITNEY: After...yeah, yeah.
JOHN: So, what...how was it coming back to Kentwood? Because, I mean, you had been in New York, you'd been in Orlando doing the Mickey Mouse Club, and then to go back to a relatively small town and kind of a normal, you know, teenage life...was it...did you feel restless being back there?
BRITNEY: Um, not really because the Mickey Mouse Club was really laid back. They really pampered you. You were on for six months and then you went home for six months. So, I mean, this right now, this is my dream and this is what I want to do but it's a lot crazier than that. So when I came home, it was a little different, because I was used to having my little schedule and having certain things I'd do every day. But for the most part it was completely normal. It was satisfying.
JOHN: But then, there was a point, there must have come a point, where you said, "I gotta' do something 'cause Mickey Mouse Club is over..."
BRITNEY: Oh, oh yeah. Then, oh yeah, totally. I went home and it was like a year and I was just like, "Eh!" I wanted to sing and I wanted to perform and performing for all these functions in my home town just wasn't enough, you know? So I hooked up with my entertainment lawyer and thank goodness, I mean, it just, the timing was awesome.
JOHN: Now, was it through him that you eventually met Max Martin and the Swedish people that you work with?
BRITNEY: The record label hooked us up.
JOHN: Right. What was it like being over there working on that?
BRITNEY: Actually it was my first time to be overseas so, that was just phenomenal. It was really, really nice. But I didn't get to see that much of Sweden because I was in the booth the whole time. We were actually supposed to do only three songs in ten days when I went there, but we just worked so well together, with Max's crew, and they were just like, "I want you to do this song, I want you to do this song!" So we ended up doing, like, half the album over there and we got a lot of work done. So, I was happy with that.
JOHN: Do you feel there's a real difference between the Swedish half of the album and the New York half of the album? Do you hear a real difference?
BRITNEY: Yeah, I do hear a difference but it goes well together. You know, I think it blends really well together. Because Max's stuff, you can hear a little bit of that European twang to it, totally.
JOHN: Did people associate it with other people he's worked with, Ace of Base, whoever.
BRITNEY: And 'N Sync and Backstreet, yeah. He was the guy that I worked with at first and, you know, that's when the label realized, "Oh, we do have something here!" He's just brilliant. He's incredible and they went to the next level with me. But yeah, his stuff is more American. He's awesome.
JOHN: Does the way that 
"...Baby One More Time" [28.8 RealVideo] has just exploded in the last few months surprise you at all or did you have a good feeling about that song to begin with?
BRITNEY: Well, I hoped and I dreamed...
JOHN: Did you think that was the one, though, that would break through for you?
BRITNEY: Oh yeah, I totally did. The first time they brought it to the record label and they played the song, I was just like, "This song is, you know, is gonna be it." I was so excited. And you know, I was really worried because I'd worked for a year, for so long and I was really hoping and wanting it to do well. But then when it debuted at so, you know, really high, I was just like, "Aaaw!" I was so excited. I was really overwhelmed.
JOHN: Do you have another favorite, personal favorite track on the album?
BRITNEY: Yeah, it's a slow song called "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart." It's just, it's a really nice song. It talks about your first love and, you know, every girl can relate to that.
JOHN: Speaking of which, as I understand, you had a relationship that kind of ended as your career took off. Is that that right
BRITNEY: Uh huh.
JOHN: Is that just because it was hard to have, maintain, that...
BRITNEY: Yeah, 'cause when you're traveling, you just get caught up in so much stuff and there's no time to have a relationship. I mean, I'm home, what, every six weeks, you know? Not even that, now. And it's just really hard to have a relationship and that trust thing. If he doesn't trust you then, there's nothing there and, you know, the possessiveness. You can't have that. And I'm young and I just want to have fun right now.
JOHN: Do you, so you don't really miss that? I mean, there's so much else going on in your life...
BRITNEY: No, no not at all.
JOHN: Right. Um, I'm glad. Another track I wanted to ask you about is "Soda Pop," which is a kind of cool reggae-oriented thing. Whose song was that?
BRITNEY: That was Eric Foster's song. Yeah, it's like a party song. It's a song that, you know, you get ready to before you go out at night. Yeah, and Mikey Basie, he does the, the reggae thing. Yeah, it's just a fun party song. I like that song.
JOHN: Now, the next single is "Sometimes," right? Anything you can tell me about that song or the video that's coming up?
BRITNEY: We're looking at treatments right now but we haven't found the right one because we want the video to be really, really neat. So, we're looking for that. But it's probably gonna' be similar to "Baby One More Time," with the dancing. But it's gonna' be to the next level. So yeah, I'm excited about it 'cause it's like the type of song that's mid-tempo -- you know, it's just like, it's a really cool song.
JOHN: How much do you think the video for "Baby One More Time" has helped the single do as well as it's done?
BRITNEY: Oh, I think it's helped tremendously, because it's, you know, it's with girls being in school, something that girls can all relate to, and they're bored. I wanna' get out of school. And we get out and there's dancing, and that makes it more interesting and there's like a storyline with me wanting the guy, wanting him back. So, yeah, I think it's helped a lot.
JOHN: Are you happy with the critical response? Do you read reviews and, secondly, have you been at all surprised by them?
BRITNEY: I really haven't read anything yet. I mean, I might. They show me the good ones. I haven't read the bad ones.
JOHN: I haven't seen too many real negative ones, actually.
BRITNEY: Good, good. I'm happy to hear that.
JOHN: It doesn't really affect you one way or the other?
BRITNEY: No, I mean, critics are gonna be critics, you know? And then just, you know, whatever the audience hears and whatever they like and whatever they want is what I'm concerned with.
JOHN: Ok. Let me get back to questions just about Kentwood before I forget. I heard a few old stories from your friends and family that I just want to run by you. I heard a story about when you were running track and you didn't hear the starting gun? Does this sound familiar? Would you like to elaborate?
BRITNEY: Well, I was, like, standing there and I was getting all pumped up to go and it was so fast and he just did the gun and I was just like (looks vacant)...
JOHN: It just came all of the sudden.
BRITNEY: Yeah! And he did it so fast, I was just like, "Oh well." I was really embarrassed.
JOHN: I spoke to your third grade teacher who told me about when you just handed her your retainer before you had to go perform. You took your retainer out and shoved it in her hand, do you remember this?
BRITNEY: No, I don't remember that one. Oh, I can't believe I did that, oh well.
JOHN: Brian, typical brother, was like...I asked, "What was she like growing up?" and he goes, "Basically a pain."
BRITNEY: Oh, whatever. He was the pain! I mean, he's like the overprotective bother, which is good though, you want that in an older brother.
JOHN: He is? See now, it's funny you should say that 'cause I asked him, I said, "Are you a little worried about her being out there in the real world?" And he said, "Oh no, you know, I trust her and all." But does he still...?
BRITNEY: Yeah, but when I come home it's different. Like, he trusts me out 'cause basically he can't do anything about it, right? So when I come home, he's just like, "Where you going? What you doing?"
JOHN: Like you're gonna get in any trouble in Kentwood that you're not in New York or L.A.
BRITNEY: Right.
JOHN: He also said, basically that he taught you everything you knew.
BRITNEY: Oh, ok.
JOHN: I think he just wanted to take credit for that. Anyway, I saw your collection of dolls. That was really cool. Is that something you've done for a long time?
BRITNEY: Oh yeah, every Christmas I get a doll. I'm in love with dolls. Yeah.
JOHN: There's hardly any room left in your room.
BRITNEY: I know! I need to get, like, a big cabinet to start putting them in 'cause they're just like...my room is so small and I have these dolls everywhere!
JOHN: I did see some more Mickey Mouse Club pictures...
BRITNEY: Oh, you did?
JOHN: A very little Justin Timberlake when he was about, what was he, eight years old or something?
BRITNEY: Um, probably like twelve, oh goodness. We were so little. We were like babies.
JOHN: I know, you're right. Does it look weird when you look back at those pictures?
BRITNEY: Oh yeah! I was such a baby. And I thought I was so, you know, knew everything. Still do.
JOHN: But like you said, there were some pretty successful alumni from that Mickey Mouse Club. Keri Russell, who's on Felicity...
BRITNEY: Yeah, Felicity, J.C. and Justin. Ryan Gosling, he's on Nickelodeon right now, doing the new Hercules. And, um, I think that's it. And Christina Agulularia, she's signed to RCA now and her album should be coming out pretty soon.
JOHN: When you go back home now and you actually walk into the room you grew up in and having blow up in the way that you have in your career, is it good for you or is it, "Wow, this is still part of my life too?"
BRITNEY: Oh, it's so good! I just see my bed and I get to sleep in my bed, you know. I love my bed and my fan. I'm such a homey person, I have everything where it's supposed to be and, you know. I love going into my room.
JOHN: I hear Jamie Lynn has kind of taken over your room.
BRITNEY: Oh, she has. Every time I come home I'm like...'A hem!' Because all my dolls are put somewhere different and I'm just like...ugh! I have everything, I'm such a clean nut.
JOHN: Yeah. You a Virgo?
BRITNEY: No.
JOHN: Oh, ok...'cause they're supposed to be real...
BRITNEY: No, actually Aries.
JOHN: Oh, you are?
BRITNEY: Yeah.
JOHN: I hear that, speaking of your sister, that she's showing signs of wanting to follow in your footsteps.
BRITNEY: Yeah, she sings! She can really sing. It's really weird because when I was younger, I was really quiet and shy, but when you first meet her she's like that too, but oh my goodness.
JOHN: She kept saying "Yes sir" to me. I'm like, "I'm not your dad, please!"
BRITNEY: I know, I guess it's a Southern thing. Because I say yes sir, yes ma'am, wherever I go. But like, she is really, really like, you know, a wild child. She is like, full of personality and everything so there's no telling what she's gonna do.
JOHN: Have there been other people in Kentwood who've been kind of inspired, do you think , by you?
BRITNEY: Um, I hope so. I mean, I've seen some younger kids that were like, "Oh Britney, can I have some voice lessons from you?" which is so flattering, you know? It's really cute. It's really sweet that they want to sing and express their music.
JOHN: When you think back to growing up in that house, in that town, were you always optimistic that something like this would happen someday?
BRITNEY: Yeah, I think I've always had it in me.
JOHN: The confidence?
BRITNEY: Yeah, I wanted it, really, really bad, you know? But, um, there was times when I was just like, eh, that's a fantasy world, you know, living that. I could never. But then, I always had it in the back of my head. I'm gonna go for it and if it works out, that's fine but if it doesn't, well great.
JOHN: A lot of people talked about last year being the year of the boy bands in America. All of the sudden they came back. For a long time it had been hard for them, now Backstreet, 'N Sync. And then I read a thing the other day, one journalist saying that they thought that this year would be the same kind of thing for young females, for people like yourself as an example. But, also a lot of yk, they mentioned Bewitched, Cleopatra, all these girl groups coming up. Do you see that happening at all? Would you like to?
BRITNEY: Yeah, I would, I totally would, yeah. I mean...I mean, I think it's just like a period, yk, that all the sudden...I think it's so strange how there was New Kids on the Block were really, really big and everything went down and it was just a period of (John: Kind of a backlash)...Right, right, but that would be good for me.
JOHN: Spice Girls? Into them at all?
BRITNEY: Oh, I love the Spice Girls, yeah, yeah. I just like their whole, you know...
JOHN: Yeah, they're a lot of fun. And, speaking of boy bands...you're obviously been associated with 'N Sync very much up to this point in your career. Is that a good thing or did you feel like sometimes, "Oh, at some point I need to get out of the shadow of 'N Sync"?
BRITNEY: Um, well right now I think the timing of me opening up for them is really, really great. Hopefully, you know, one day I'll have my own tour. It's a big dream. But, right now, I think it's, you know, really, really good and the guys are really, really cool guys. But the only thing I was worried about was the girls having that jealousy with me opening up for them and them loving the guys and [being] like, "Who is this girl? Get off the stage, I wanna' see 'N Sync!" But so far the crowd has been really responsive.
JOHN: And, speaking of jealousy, I should at least clear up, 'cause I know you've answered it a million times, but there's this, this continuous rumor about you and Justin...
BRITNEY: No, it's not true. No, no, they're just like big brothers to me. Yeah.
JOHN: You have known him and J.C. a long time.
BRITNEY: Right, right, I guess that's why they think that, because we were on the, you know, Mickey Mouse Club together so they just assume that.
JOHN: So, it's not like someone's publicist started this rumor or something like that?
BRITNEY: I don't know where it came from.
JOHN: Well, less people are asking about it now, so I think maybe it's starting to fade away. Let me ask you about another comparison. These guys, 'N Sync and Backstreet and all these boy bands always get the question of, "Do you feel like you're continuing the tradition of New Kids?" And then the name from the past that I keep hearing brought up as compared to you is Debbie Gibson. Do you feel any kind of, like, there's ground for comparison between you and what she's...
BRITNEY: I think people say that just because she sang pop music and she was young. My music is totally different. It's edgier and you know, we're two totally different people so I don't see why people say that. I guess people wanna' say things...
JOHN: So, also, when we were sitting down with some of your girlfriends in Kentwood they mentioned the fact that there was never, never a lack of dates for Britney Spears. Is this true, were they like, beating down the doors?
BRITNEY: Noooooo! Not at all! I never really dated dated. I just dated a bunch of guys, like, as friends. So I could have fun so, yeah.
JOHN: 'Cause I said, the town has only got 2,225 people. You'd have to run out of guys sooner or later. They said, "Well she never did!"
BRITNEY: No, no, I just, um, had a lot of guy friends.
JOHN: How do you deal with the guys and the guys who probably wait for you after shows and write you letters or send you...do you get all kinds of crazy gifts?
BRITNEY: Um, yeah but they're all really, really sweet and I haven't had any that are freaky. That's good, I wouldn't like that at all. But so far they've been really nice.
JOHN: So there haven't been situations where you feel like security was an issue?
BRITNEY: There was one time when I was at home and this guy came to my house, but he parked, like, half a block away. And thank goodness I wasn't home alone. So he came and he came knocking on the door and I was like, "oh my goodness", and it was really freaky, I didn't like that. But that's the only thing that's happened.
JOHN: On the good side of this success, I would imagine that you feel like, with a lot of young girls in your audience, that you're a role model. I mean, do you get a lot of letters asking for advice?
BRITNEY: Yeah, but it's mainly about, you know, how can I get into the show business and stuff like that. So, it's nothing, and they have had problems and everything, but nothing too deep.
JOHN: Well, I tell you I was really impressed today when we were there in a parking lot with just car after car after car and banners just written on, "We love you Britney!" It was amazing. It must be something special being from a town that's a real tight community like that. As you said, sometimes they're kind of in your business, but...
BRITNEY: Yeah, but when I go home, it's just like you can go to everyone. Everyone's like, your family because you've been there for so long and you're neighbors and it's awesome.
JOHN: Did you ever, as a fan, as a kid growing up, make signs and go to concerts for any particular artist?
BRITNEY: No, not really. I was never one of the ones...I mean, I would put like, posters up of people on TV shows in my room, but I was never the type of person to like, go crazy and scream and da da da da da. I was never like that. I don't know why, maybe I missed out.
JOHN: So now, let me ask you about, say, five years down the road. Is pop music and being a recording artist definitely what you want to do or would you like to incorporate it into, say, doing theater, I know you've done theater before. Or would you rather continue recording on your own?
BRITNEY: I want music to always be a part of my life. It will always be a part of my life and I just want to grow as a person each time each album comes out. I wanna focus on my music right now and if, like, film or something comes up, I'd go for it. But music will always be my main priority. Just like Madonna. I respect her so much because every time, she has changed, and I just totally admire that.
--MTV Online, www.mtv.com
