Usher on competition with Justin
(3/22/04) Shaheem Reid MTV

...Always aiming to stay ahead of the curve, (Usher) elaborates on why he decided to open up like never before, his competition with Justin Timberlake and an alleged altercation with Mr. Whitney Houston.

[MTV Editor's note: The following Q&A session is culled from two different recent Usher interviews.]

...MTV: Another soulful cat who's been critically acclaimed and given kudos by fellow artists is Justin Timberlake. Since he emerged as solo star, people have really been comparing the two of you — the music, the stage performances. Do you see him as competition?

Usher: Nah, not really. I'm out doing my thing. And you know, Justin is doing his thing. Much success to my man for having such success on his first album. It takes a lot to make it this long in the industry, and I'm so happy and fortunate to have had all my fans for so long and to actually still be able to be creative. Here it is, four albums deep. Justin has to continue to do that. I encourage it, I encourage it 100 percent.

MTV: There was talk that Pharrell Williams was trying to get you and Justin Timberlake on a song last summer but it never panned out. Is working with J.T. something you want to do in the future?

Usher: Yeah, that's sort of been up in the air. A few times we talked about it. I talked about it with a few different producers, spoke to Justin's people about it. I think my people spoke to Justin's people and who knows? It might happen. I don't know. There's always the element of surprise. If it does [happen], it'll probably be one of the wildest experiences for MTV. The whole nine — the whole world will be shook...

Star Sightings: Making the Scene
(3/22/04) Extra

...We found Bill Maher, J.C. Chasez, and Owen "Hutch" Wilson among the stars over at the Hollywood hot spot, White Lotus, on Friday night for the club’s one-year anniversary party where Chasez said he was taking a much-needed break from promoting his new solo album.

"This is kind of like the first night I’ve had to myself in a month," Chasez said.

JC Chasez, Schizophrenic?
(3/22/04) Laura Arnáiz, Seventeen magazine (in Spanish), April issue
(thanks dotcita for the translation!)

He was the most serious in *Nsync, for some girls he was the most handsome. Now, through Schizophrenic, his solo album, he also wants to be the most talented.

Crazy, we?
After a long break, JC Chasez finally returns to the stage, but now as a solo artist, he wants to become crazy to all of us. Do we want it?

How and where did you decide to release your solo album?
It was last year, in January. I never planned it, I was resting after having been a part of *Nsync for so long. I really enjoyed being me, being with my family. I needed to be with them and give them the best of me, then I thought: “Well, I can’t sit here any longer”, and I decided to do what I like on my own, without the help of anybody, so I began to work on Schizophrenic.

How was the process for making the record?
It was so cool. I woke up every morning deciding what to do during the day. I never planned anything.

What’s your favorite music?
There are many different styles. I like music so much. On my record you can hear rock, reggae and love songs. I grew up with my fans and they like many music styles, so I want them all to enjoy my music.

What is your opinion about the pop music?
I love it. I think this style broke barriers and you can find it in ever music genre.

What inspires you? When did you begin to write songs?
I started a little bit before joining *Nsync, since then I discovered everything is inspiration, like waking up in the morning.

Is it better to sing your songs or to hear them by another voice?
Both, but the feeling I get when I sing my songs and seeing how I can connect with the fans, is one of the best feelings you can experience.

Do you think your participation in the Mickey Mouse Club when you were a kid helped you in your singing career?
Of course. I think it helped me to try a lot of things. My mind is ready to hear and experiment with some music styles. I think that makes a complete musician.

COME BACK AND PRINCIPAL STAR

Do you think you will feel different as a solo artist, compared to being in *Nsync?
I think it will feel different, not worse or better, simply in another way. If I sing an *Nsync song without the other members, then it will be difficult, but if I sing something of my own, then it will be natural. I miss traveling with my friends because we always have fun, but at the same time I’m excited because I have the chance to share my own music. Because when you are in a group, the songs always have to be changed so all the members can participate, but now I don’t have to compromise, this is more personal.

What do you think about Justin Timberlake’s work and him as a friend?
He is one of my best friends; he’s a wonderful human being. I think he was the best pop artist of 2003. I’m so proud of him. I hope to achieve the same with my solo album.

What is your best memory inside the music business from the past few years?
Each day is something different. I like to be near people and excite them with my music, but, principally, being with my friends.

A bad memory?
I think the hardest thing in this line of work is being without your family for a long time.

Do you have a girlfriend or are you dating someone?
I’m not dating and I don’t have girlfriend.

Do you have a platonic love?
No. I’m interested in meeting a normal girl who likes to have fun, doesn’t pressure me and is romantic.

And physically?
A girl with beautiful hair and an beautiful smile.

Pets: dogs
Designer: Cavalli
TV channel: MTV
Movie: The Lord of the Rings
Singer: Sting
The best gift: My first guitar. I was nine years old when my parents gave it to me.

Toledo Blade Review: Schizophrenic
(3/22/04) RICHARD PATON Toledo Blade

SCHIZOPHRENIC JC Chasez (Jive)
Chasez follows former 'NSync band mate Justin Timberlake into a solo career with a debut that moves to the rhythms of dance, rock, R&B, and reggae. He co-wrote all but one of the 17 tracks, and proves he is well able to stand on his own as a writer and vocalist. He easily moves among an array of musical genres, from the chunky groove of "She Got Me' to guitar-riffing rock and '80s synth-pop. He's also impressive on the ballads. But while his diverse musical influences are evident, he retains an individual, energetic style of his own.

The Fatone stand-ups alone
(3/22/04) New York Daily News

The Fat-one is becoming the funny-one.

'N Sync-erator Joey Fatone says he wants to follow bandmates Justin Timberlake and J.C. Chasez with a solo album. But don't expect to be able to dance to it.

"I've thought about doing a comedy album," he told us at the party for Tommy Hilfiger's new line, H Hilfiger, the other night. "That would be fun."

He has just completed filming the musical "Red Riding Hood" with Lainie Kazan, who appeared with him in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

As for a new 'N Sync album, don't hold your breath. Fatone says: "Everybody's doing their side projects here and there, so once that dies down, we'll start picking back up again."

Aiken doesn't blame Chasez
(3/22/04) Jae Ha Kim Chicago Sun-Times

...It's a difficult concept for (Clay) Aiken to grasp that less than two years ago, no one knew who he was. Now, his publicists are setting up so many interviews for him that each is limited to just 10 minutes. That's in the same league as Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and the boys in 'N Sync.

Speaking of 'N Sync, J.C. Chasez was quoted recently saying that while he liked Aiken, he was tired of all the media attention Aiken was receiving. When this bit of gossip is relayed to Aiken, the singer doesn't let on if the comment irks him.

"I can't blame him," he says. "Those guys worked for years touring and recording before they got famous. Then I come out of nowhere and I'm everywhere. I would be tired of me, too, if I wasn't me and saw as much of me as everyone else. I've been very blessed to have gotten so much publicity from the show for having done such a little amount of work comparatively. All [of us contestants] are..."