Uk Heat Interview

[MARK]

* = Interviewer

UK Heat

Justin Timberlake is half of one of the most famous break-ups in history. But, as Jo Carnegie finds out, getting to the truth about it isn't easy.
Things are about to kick off. Heat is in LA to interview Justin Timberlake just weeks before the 21-year-old *NSYNC star releases his first solo album Justified. It's a surprisingly grown-up debut; a mix of, as he puts it, "rock, hip-hop and R&B". The industry has such high hopes for Justin that stellar names like P Diddy and Janet Jackson rushed to collaborate with him on the album.

But, of course, what Heat wants to know, along with the rest of the world, is exactly what went on between him and his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears.

The pair, who first met on US TV's The Mickey Mouse Club aged 11, went out together for four years. Since they announced their split in March, rumours have been circulating wildly. First that Justin dumped Britney because she wanted to get married. Then there was a story that Britney had, in fact, cheated on him. When Justin's bandmate Joey Fatone appeared at a charity event wearing a T-shirt that appeared to insult Britney, it only added to speculation, as did preorts of the couple having slanging matches in LA nightclubs.

Since the split, Justin's frequently been portrayed as a playboy - we've heard he's been dating *NSYNC dancer Jenna Dewan, Britney's rival Christina Aguilera, and having hot sex with Janet Jackson. More recently, he has reportedly been seeing Charmed star Alyssa Milano, eight years his senior.

So, as you can understand, we have a lot of questions to put to Justin. Unfortunately, his obsessively protective American publicists don't share our vision. They've let us fly 4,000 miles over the Atlantic before deciding that, in fact, they aren't going to let us ask him anything at all about Britney or his love life. Three days of arguing and demands ensure. First the interview is off. Then it's on again - providing they can see the questions. When we refuse, the interview is off again. Then it's back on, providing heat promises to only ask one question about Britney - a question of their choice. We're damned if we've flown all this way for nothing, so heat agrees. But they, we never were very good at keeping our promises...

When we finally walk into one of the bungalows of the exlusive Chateau Marmont hotel, just off Sunset Boulevard, a huge minder is sitting by the front door. He doesn't smile when we introduce ourselves and grips our hand in a formidable handshake lasting at least 15 seconds.

Finally, we get to meet Justin. And yes, as Britney has said herself, he is very cute. Over six feet tall, he as Beckham-esque physique of broad shoulders and lean, narrow torso. His large blue eyes, the colour of faded denim, look out guardedly from beneath a baseball cap, which has the words "Work Sucks" emblazoned across it. [All right, we get the message.]

Justin is tired. He has also been warned we want to ask him about his love life. It's tricky. Here he is, for all his success and millions, a 21-year-old kid who's had his heart broken for the first time. According to one of the friendlier factions in the Timberlake camp, he is "still hurting about it".

But unfortunately, as Justin knows only too well, having your private life exposed is part and parcel of being famous.

For the record, when Justin isn't being forced on to the subject of Britney, he is dry and funny. But in the meantime, there are two publicists and his music manager sitting in on the interview - one of whom has been instructed by Justin's lawyer to turn heat's tape recorder off if we dare go beyond our one allotted Brintey question. Yes, they are that paranoid.

*We hear you're a big Manchester United fan.
Mmm.

*Do you follow them?
As much as I can.

*You should try and catch a game when you visit the UK.
[Silence]

*You album's really good.
[Perking up] Thank you.

*Like I Love You is the first single from it. What's it about?
It's about being completely ingatuated and in love with this girl.

*Where did you get inspiration for the song?
From my experiences.

*Anyone in particular?
[No-nonsense tone] Just from experiences I've had.

*Is this the end of *NSYNC?
No, I don't think so.

*Everyone from a pop group says that when they do their first solo album.
This isn't me going solo. This is my first album. I want everyone to know that the two can exist together.

*You've had some interesting hairstyles in your time. The Afro was especially brilliant.
[Smiles] Do I detect a sense of sarcasm?

*Never. We have to say though, we loved it when you shaved your head.
Really? I was thinking about shaving it again.

*You should.
You think I should?

*It was a big hit. You turned into a bit of a sex god overnight. What happened?
I don't know.

*You do realise that you're going to have a lot of British women throwing themselves at you when you come over to promote your album...
All after a piece of my big old American pie.

*They certainly will. Be warned...
I appreciate your concern. [Laughs] I'll probably get over there and there'll be, like, on e old granny going [puts on shaky voice], "I think your music is really hot."

*In the UK, we've got this image that all celebs in LA are teetotal.
Everbody I know here drinks.

*Do you go mad for it when you hit the town then?
When I go out, I dance. I get on the floor, I cut a rug.

*Cut a rug? In England we throw a shape.
No, we're in America at the moment, sweetheart. When I come to England, then we can throw a shape. [Laughs]

*How does one cut a rug then?
You f*ckin dance like you've never danced before.

*You're actually quite funny. I thought you'd be one of those bland Hollywood types.
Well, that's cool. I'm not Hollywood though.

*I heard you were worried about doing this interview today.
I was?

*Well, that's what I've been told. I don't know what your perception is of us but...
[Interrupts] I've got no preconceptions.

*I've been told I can't ask you certain things but let me explain the situation.
OK.

*The thing everyone is talking about is your love life.
OK.

*If you don't set the record straight, people are going to keep asking you about it.
Yeah, I get it.

*You get what?
I get the concept.

*So if you want to set the rumours straight, it will be...
[Interrupts] It will be a little easier?

*Yup.
Erm...

atmosphere has become very uncomfortable to say the least. Trying to postpone our one killer Britney question as long as possible, heat decides to just sit back to see if Justin starts talking. Sixteen seconds pass. It feels like an age. But then he starts to talk. And talk. And talk. A look of panic crosses the publicists' faces.

Well, I am single. [Pauses again] At the moment I am very single. And if you want the truth about the way I feel, I don't want a girlfriend. I had a girlfriend for four years and it was wonderful.
[At this point heat decides to shut up completely.]
I love Britney. I think she's a wonderful person. I just think our timing was off.

*[Encouraging smile.]

For the past six months... [Sighs] I've been trying to live my life in a differentay. On top of that, I've been very upset about the things that keep being said about me. It went from "he's this "goody two shoes" to "playboy" as soon as I broke up with Britney.

*[Raised eyebrow.]

Or as soon as we broke up, should I say.

*[Nodding of head.]

At first I was like, "I don't give a @#%$ what people call me." But this has been so close to my heart for four years. I've held on to so much out of respect, but at the same time, I'm so torn. I don't understand why there's been this "mock-up" of who people think I am. Because I never did anything wrong.

*[Symnpathetic noise.]

And the truth is, we're not together. Why we're not together is our business. Nobody's entitled to it. I wish that things could have been different. Empathetic look.
As far as the people I've been linked to go - I know Janet, we're good friends, we're not dating. I have never had any interaction with Christina Aguilera - period. And as for the rest of them, it's pretty much the same.

*Apparently you're meant to be dating Alyssa Milano now.
[Corrects my pronunciation]
A-lys-sa.

*Oh, so you do know her then?
That's the next one I've been linked to.

*Have you met her?
Yeah, I know Alyssa. But the hardest thing ofr me to do as a celebrity is date. So even if I was dating somebody, I wouldn't tell y'all. I'm not being a @#%$. It's just that my life is my life.

*So you're saying even if you weren't single you wouldn't tell me?
I am single.

*OK. I've been told I can only ask you the following questions: What's the deal with you and Britney? But I'm going to ask you something else instead.

[Publicists visibly stiffen round the table.]

*Did she cheat on you?
I can't comment on it.

*Why not? You were quoted in the press saying...

[PR interrupts : "Stop"]
No, that's cool, you can explain it.

*You said, "Something bad happened." That sounds ominous. Did she cheat on you?
Well, it's not my job to clarify anybody's interpretation. Even if... [Stops and thinks] It's hard to go through. I will say that I love her. We both made a promise to each other not to talk about it.

*So you're not going to tell me if she cheated on you?

[PR interrupts again : "Stop there."]

*OK, but it seems you genuinely still care for her. Are you annoyed the press are making out there's some bad blood between you both?
Yeah it upsets me because I don't want people saying anything bad about either of us. I wish that what we ha could just be between us. We could just honour it for what it is or what it may be in the future.

*Are you going to get back together then?

[Warning nudge from PR]

I don't know.

*You're not sure? That's a pretty big statement to make...
I don't know how I feel. I know I'm still friends with her and I love her family. They will always be close to mine. That's as much as I can say about it.

*OK. I can understand why you don't want some random stranger from across the pond asking you about your love life.
That's cool. [Does a big stretch/]

*[Clutching at staws] Do you do yoga?
No, but I'm going to get into it because I am so not flexible.

*Try to touch your toes...
[Jumps up] See, I can do it. [Sits back down again] I thought you were going to smack my ass then.

*It was hard holding myself back.
Sorry, I should say [puts on very good English accent], "My bum."

The publicists announce the interview is over. We don't know who's more relieved, heat or Justin. Under the circumstances, he's proved to be a pretty good sport. Unlike the people who work for him.

[lancesgrl]

i don't know... i'm sure i'll get all kinds of comments about being schmoozed by his looks and persuasive way of speaking for saying this, but i feel bad for him. he isn't really doing anything that any other guy his age wouldn't be doing in his personal life.

it just kinda sucks that everyone constantly looks to label him. i know what it's like to be in a long term relationship and break up and everyone is pissed because you can't play ken and barbie for everyone else's benefit anymore. it's very annoying to be in that situation.

i'm rambling, but that's my opinion anyway...

[princess buttercup]

I tend to agree with you lancesgrl.

It seems SO ridiculous that they have to be TOLD what they can ask and can't ask. Simply out of respect, personal information should stay just that ...PERSONAL

This whole negotiatin thing will be viewed AGAIN I am sure as J and his "people" being a-holes for putting restrictions on the questions, and maybe to an extenet that is true seeing as he knows well that these annoying questions are part of the job that he loves....but DAMN when you are promoting like Justin is......How the hell annoying can THAT be to be asked the SAME question a thousand times AND stay nice and respectable about it....c'mon...ANYONE would get a little tired of that!

That is MY opinion anyway. I also have to say that from my observation, he has tended to be rather consistant in his answers to things during this promotional stuff, even about the album. again that is MY opinion but, I really think he has.

anyway, I am sure people will disagree with me too. By no means do I beleive that Justin is perfect but, yes I DO have some "faith" in him as a person that he is not a constant bullsh&*er in EVERYTHING that he says.

O.K--now that I have all acted like I know him personally and can speak for him !!! LOL sorry, that is just what I think. Perhaps I AM naive but...I guess no one can TRULY ever know.

[MaryL]

i agree with the both of you i kinda do feel bad and yes i know he's not perfect but i think i would go crazy if i got ask about my love life a millon times a day it just seems like they still think it's his fault for the break up or that they keep trying to get to the truth every time they don't even care about his album coming out i just think people need to get over it they were together for about 3 or 4 years it's probably hard to talk about it then theyhave to get the PR involved deciding whether to say anything or not it just seems hard.

but i guess that's celebrity life for ya i know i'll probably get the "you think he's perfect" thing but there are times that i feel kinda bad that they care more about his love life more than his album coming out.

[MARK]

HOW CAN YOU FEEL SORRY FOR HIM?

HE IS THE ONE THATS MADE HIS PERSONAL LIFE A ISSUE!

IF HE DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE ONE THEN HE SHOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT ONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!

IF HE ACTUALLY GAVE A COMPLETE AND HONEST ANSWER TO THOSE PERSONAL QUESTIONS NO ONE WOULD STILL BE ASKING HIM ABOUT THEM!

[lancesgrl]

yeah mark, and if he gave a complete and honest answer about personal issues concerning his relationship with britney, you would turn around and accuse him of selling her out!! you are totally contradicting yourself! just weeks ago, you were all PISSED when he DID comment about his and britney's personal stuff on that radio interview, and now you WANT him to comment in THIS interview. make up your mind, dude!

he says that he's trying to keep certain things about their relationship just between them... how can you fault him for that?

[MaryL]

i'm with Katie on this one

Mark, one minute you want him to shut up about the relationship now you want him to say something? and if he gave an answer it wouldn't matter anything he says you think he's lying so what the hell do you want? and why do you care? don't read them if you think he's lying or whatever

sorry had to rant

[MARK]

LANCESGRL I WAS NOT PISSED AND IM NOT REALLY EVEN TALKING ABOUT BRITNEY!

THAT WAS A DIFFERENT THING ALTOGETHER ANYWAY! THAT WAS TALKING ABOUT THERE SEX LIFE FOR MORE SPINS ON THE RADIO!

IM SAYING WHEN HES ASKED A QUESTION ANSWER IT DONT BARGIN FOR THE ANSWER!

ON THE SUBJECT OF THE DIFFERENT WOMEN HES BEEN LINKED TO SAY THE SAME THING THAT ALLYSA IS SAYING OR WHAT HE SAID HIMSELF ABOUT JENNA A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THAT WILL PUT A END TO ALL OF THOSE TYPE OF QUESTIONS!

AS FAR AS BRITNEY GOES SAY FLAT OUT THAT SHE DID NOT CHEAT ON HIM JUST LIKE HE SAYS IN THIS INTERVIEW THAT HE DID NOT CHEAT ON HER!

THEN GO ON AND SAY WHAT SHE SAID AND THATS THAT BASICALLY THEY GREW APART!

THEN THESE STORIES WOULD STOP!

ALL HES DOING RIGHT NOW IS MAKING SURE THAT THIS IS A ISSUE THAT KEEPS BEING BROUGHT UP TO GIVE HIM MORE PR!

[Lovergurl17]

I totally agree with you on one hand, but i have to agree with MARK as well. I mean yeah, it's not right that they keep on nagging at Justin about is personal life and he does have the obligation to keep it PERSONAL. But, then again if he doesn't want people to keep asking or wanting to know certain things about his love life then he shouldn't comment on it at all, like when he said " some bad things happened" they just adding more gasoline to the fire, it's like if you don't want people to comment on your love life then you shouldn't make certain comments about it, now everybody thinks one of them cheated because Justin said " some bad things happened.

And he kills me when he says " What happened between me and Britney is our personal bussiness." Well i guess it wasn't personal when he admitted to going "downtown' on her in that radio interview just so he could get his song played on the radio. You see what I'm saying is everything that Justin as been saying lately about there relationship as been a bit too SHADY.

[MARK]

EXACTLY LOVERGURL 17!

[Egirl2000]

Oh, wow! He's still spewing bullsh** with the best of them, eh?

It's as if they're still "dating". They have the nerve to restrict questions and complain about labeling, yet he gets on national television and radio talking as indepth as he possibly can about their breakup without saying exactly, she's cheated on him. It's pathetic. And yet again, all for publicity. He's trying to clear his name as well as keep both their names circulating while she's making pointless appearances at people's 30th b-days. Not to mention, sneakily hinting at something possible to come up again in the future. (another PR stunt, cause Spears ain't doin' so good)

Why lie now? Trying to keep certain things quiet? He went as far as to tell the world he's eaten her coochie, not necessarily bad, but also not necessarily something 10 million people needed to know. Let's keep it real, here. The kid is still filled with absolute nonsense when it comes to him and Britney. Absolute comedy.



<!--EDIT|Egirl2000|Oct 20 2002, 04:24 PM-->

[OrangeJuice233]

Okay I have a question:
How did everyone find out that they broke up in the first place?

[MARK]

I CANT BELIEVE THIS BUT I ALMOST COMPLETELY AGREE WITH EGIRL!

WHERE I DISAGREE IS ABOUT HER! IT SEEMS MORE LIKE HES TRYING TO CLEAR HIS NAME BY DESTROYING HER NAME!

THE ONLY REASON HES HINTING AT GETTING BACK TOGETHER IS SO IT DOESNT LOOK SO OBVIOUS THAT HES TRYING TO END HER CAREER!

[lancesgrl]

what??!!! did you just say that justin is trying to end britney's career? i'm just making sure i didn't read that wrong.... :confused: cuz... i dunno... that would have to be the most rediculous thing i've heard in a long time!! is that what you're really saying, mark????????????

[lancechica4]

Oh. My. God. So much drama.

Mark- I agree with Katie and would seriously like to know HOW Justin is trying to ruin Birtney's career. He has kept his mouth shut about why they broke up... just like he promised Britney. I think he's been very professional considering it is NONE of our bussiness what so ever. The only comment he has made that would be a low blow to Brintey was that coochie comment. That's the only thing I can think of. Every time he's been asked about why they broke up he's said how much he still loves Britney and promised not to discuss it. How can you not give him respect for that? And YES I DO feel bad for him. How can you not? Mark just picture this. You broke up with someone you really cared about. It would hurt, wouldn't it? Well, as you are not a celebrity you could put it behind you and move on. But Justin gets bombarded with question after question on it. He's trying to release an album with all this going on and I think he's probably really stressed. Just give the kid a break. :rolleyes: