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| 5/5/04 |
I Dance Justin Off the Stage,
says JC Chasez When it comes to having friends in high chart places, they don't come much higher than JC Chasez's pals. Studying his mobile phone he calls out the names of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and, on speed dial, Mr Justin Timberlake. The former NSYNC singer graduated from the same US school of success as his pop megastar pals - TV's Mickey Mouse Club. Now he wants to muscle in on his mate Justin's territory by becoming pop's No.1 pin-up - and he has laid down the gauntlet by saying he's the better dancer. JC explains: "When it comes to dancing, with the high energy stuff I hit hard and I'd say I've certainly got the edge over Justin. But when it comes to smooth, I can't compete - he kills it." There aren't many people who would dare to suggest they are more of a groove guru than Mr Timberlake. But the rivalry is friendly thanks to the pair's long association. JC says: "Justin is a great friend, we talk all the time. I spoke to him by phone just yesterday. When you're together in a band like NSYNC for that amount of time you stay buddies. The whole JT thing blew up and I'm really happy for him, he deserves it." JC is currently touring as support for Britney on the UK leg of her Onyx Hotel tour and says it's like being on the road with an old school pal. He says: "Britney's great, no matter what people say. I've known her since I was 15 or 16 and she was about 12 or 13. And I can tell you from experience, she is great. Going on the road with her is like being with an old friend. I can honestly say that anybody who as met her will know she doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She has a great sense of humour but when it comes to work she is a total, total professional. When you see her and it's time to do a gig she puts her game face on and she gets busy. That's cool. It's funny, she's this huge pop star now but if you grow up with somebody they don't really change in your eyes. I guess that's the same with Justin and Christina. They are all great people who I have known since we were kids. They don't change. I've got a cool circle of friends, there's no question of that. Jeez, if we decided to bring out a pop record together that would be something else, wouldn't it?" For now, JC is happy to concentrate on his new solo album Schizophrenic which, he is very keen to point out, is nothing like Justin's material. He says: "My stuff is different, some of it is more high energy, some of it is more mellow. It's an interesting record and I'm really, really happy with it. I guess the stereotype is that everyone's expecting a record that's gonna sound like NSYNC stuff, but this release sounds nothing like that. It's the first time that I've been able to cut my own record, for myself, for my own reasons and there are really no compromises involved. It's a very eclectic record, that's probably the best way to describe it. There is something for everyone that's why I think people will love it so much." In the States, JC - real name Joshua - can't walk down any street without getting mobbed by female fans. NSYNC were massive and their album No Strings Attached, was the fastest-selling pop record EVER. The band, who first made an impact on the UK charts with I Want You Back, ahd Top 5 hits with Bye Bye Bye and Girlfriend. They faded into the background as Justin's solo career took off. In Britain JC can still walk the streets virtually unrecognised, just as Justin could when he first arrived here. And JC loves our shores all the more for that. He says: "It's really great when I'm in London. I'll go down to Garfunkel's and get a bite to eat and no one will bother me at all. The only place in the States where I can really do that is in my native town, Orlando in Florida. Because I grew up there everybody know who I am regardless of whether I'm famous or not. In other places people point me out and sometimes I get hounded for pictures and autographs and things like that. But that goes with the territory. I chose to do what I do so I'm not ever going to complain about it." Take note of JC - he is about to be a very big star. And coming from one of the biggest boybands in the world, he'll be able to take it all in his stride. And if his dancefloor displays are even better that Justin Timberlake's, it won't be long before he's getting mobbed in Britain, too.
Kitsch, Irony and Posterity ...Justin Timberlake makes music the way mainstream audiences today like it, and indie rockers subsequently criticize it as vacuous and formulaic. That criticism is probably valid, but I would be lying if I claimed that his songs aren't catchy and sing-able. His kitschiness will probably translate for future generations, and those that criticize him now may admit to their guilty pleasures in due time...
Steve: It's in the star "Good Day Live" host Steve Edwards will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame May 14. Edwards, who also hosts "Good Day LA," will be joined by his co-hosts Dorothy Lucey and Jillian Barberie when he gets his star - and the ceremony will be covered live by "GDL" (noon/Ch. 5). George Lopez, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul will be there for Steve's big day - with Lance Bass, Dick Clark, Jim Carrey and others delivering videotaped congratulations.
'Slashing' their way to stardom The keyword for today's hot young stars: multi-tasking. Actor/singer. Comedian/rapper. Rocker/film star. Teen People's annual list of the "25 hottest stars under 25" is out today, underscoring a strong multimedia evolution in the entertainment industry. Savvy marketers and handlers are putting pressure on young stars to cross over creative mediums. "They need to move the needle on box office and SoundScan," says Amy Barnett, managing editor at Teen People. "If they can have success in music, can they leverage that existing audience and see if it works at the box office?" This year's list holds more than 25 names, with a rock group (Good Charlotte), TV ensemble (The O.C.) and set of twins (the Olsens) each counting as one hot entry. The group has tremendous range, from actress and singer Hilary Duff, 17, to a new MTV personality, Jackass' Bam Margera, 23. Among Teen People's hot stars: • Justin Timberlake, 23. He has gone from boy band to solo artist to movies; he's now filming Edison with Kevin Spacey... There are exceptions to the multi-talent rule, Barnett says. Don't expect singer and songwriter Norah Jones, 25, on a TV sitcom. And Hollywood's current It Girl, Lost In Translation's Scarlett Johansson, 19, isn't likely to venture far from film. "It's not necessary to prove talent in multiple areas," Barnett says. "But the increase in the number of hyphenates is definitely making an impact."
Old Spices eye return Hold on to something. The Spice Girls may reunite for a greatest hits album. The Scary One, Mel B., recently dropped the bomb that the fearsome five may actually get back in the studio and write one last new song for the album. First of all, how old are these "Girls" because after 21 I think you technically have to drop the "Girls" from your name. Come on, Baby Spice has got to be a toddler by now, right? Perhaps they could drop the Spice Girls name and go with something like Spicy Soccer Moms. They could show up at concerts in a set of five matching Volvos complete with the standard roof rack and Tupperwares full of orange slices. The saddest news of all is the comeback seems to be a trend that isn't going away any time soon. • The Backstreet Boys are apparently low on funds and regrouping for a new album coming out this summer and a tour in the fall. The only two cute guys in the group are married with kids -- not as cool when screaming 12-year-old fans are friends of your daughter. • Not to be outdone, the Backstreet Boys' arch-nemesis N*SYNC are jumping on the reunion bandwagon, as well. JC Chasez says the solo thing is lonely and he wants things to go back to the way they were. Of course it's lonely --there's no one at his concerts. The only good thing about N*SYNC is Justin Timberlake and he seems to be hacking, out a living just fine on his own. While he keeps putting the reunion off, it looks like the group may get back in the studio this year after all. Maybe the time off from Justin's real career to hang with the four other boy-wonders will count as a tax write-off for JT as charity work. |
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