Britney Spears, Pop's Reigning Princess, Talks to GLAMOUR About Her Relationship With 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake, Her Idol Madonna, and Her New Book.

Entertainment Editors

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 3, 2001

May issue on newsstands April 10th

Britney Spears is lounging on the couch of her swanky room at Los Angeles' Four Seasons Hotel, drinking Starbucks coffee and taking a breather from rehearsals for her first (as yet untitled) movie. In this coming of age drama, Spears plays a demanding role as a straight-A student who embarks on a road trip with two childhood friends. "You're going to think I am crazy," she explains, describing her fake crying technique, "but we all have inner demons, things that make us upset, and I just picture them and put 'em in my throat. I use a different demon every time -- like if I'm stressed out about something...or if I miss my mom." She misses her mom, as it turns out, a lot. In fact, Spears' latest project, the novel A Mother's Gift -- co-written by Spears and her 45-year-old mother, Lynne -- was inspired by their close bond. "There are so many negative things out there for this generation that I just wanted to have something inspirational," Spears' explains.

This month, in addition to releasing the book, Spears will film her new movie, appear in a Pepsi commercial, continue recording her third album in Stockholm, Sweden, move into a new Los Angeles pad -- and in her spare time -- hang out with her boyfriend, 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake, 20. "We try to soak up as much time as we can, but it still doesn't seem like enough," Spears admits. "We go out to dinner and try to have a normal relationship." Still, says Spears, a Sagittarius, "He's an Aquarius, so he's all about being independent, basically the same as me. We have to have our freedom. That's what's really cool with J, because he's such an individual -- when we come together, it's great."

Spears also candidly discusses her idol Madonna. The megastars recently declared their mutual admiration, prompting buzz about a duet. "She's such a strong woman, man!" Spears says. "She's done everything -- music, movies, theater -- and she has two beautiful children." But Spears reveals: "I think if I had called her and said, 'Let's do a song together,' it would have been cool, but with record-company politics, I don't think it's going to work out." So why doesn't Spears just call Madonna? Spears stares a moment then blurts, "I would really love to do that!" Her other role models include Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey. Spears says, "Julia Roberts is my idea of the perfect woman. She seems very vibrant - her energy is electric - and she seems very at peace with herself, so high on life." When speaking of Oprah, Spears says "Oprah Winfrey is the woman I'd most like to talk to. I think she has so much wisdom. I'd ask her about relationships and just chitchat with her."

Maybe Spears hasn't been boldly blasphemous -- but she, like Madonna, has always called the shots. That includes her decision to be up-front and unapologetic about her sexuality -- a stance that has caused some cultural observers to deride her as a nymphet. This perplexes Spear -- and pisses her off. "Guys grab their crotches and nobody says anything, but if a girl does a shimmy and shows her belly, it's a huge deal!" she declares. When asked if she considers herself a girl or a woman, Spears is silent, thoughtfully considering the weight of the question. Then softly, she says, "I'm in-between. I'd consider myself a girl-woman, yeah. But I don't like defining things. I just am."