BRITNEY: Yeah, it really has, I have to say. I've been working for a while for this. I was surprised by how fast the album and the single went to No. 1. I expected it to take a while, but yeah, I was surprised.

LAUNCH: You've been touring with 'N Sync, who has a mostly young female audience. Was it difficult to perform for an audience filled with rabid 'N Sync fans?

BRITNEY: It was a little frustrating at first, especially because the song wasn't out yet when I started my tour. It was just getting on the radio, but after it got more airplay, they knew me and warmed up to me. At first, the audience booed, but after I started performing they always warmed up to me and started cheering.

LAUNCH: There's a stereotype that young performers such as yourself have pushy showbiz parents. From what I've read about you, you were the one who had the drive and determination to become an entertainer. Tell me about that.

BRITNEY: It was totally me from day one. I was always pushing my mom for dancing and singing lessons. I had a completely normal childhood; my mom just wanted to cook for me and take me shopping. I was always determined to do what I wanted to do and I was so thankful that she was there to support me.

LAUNCH: Tell me how you got involved with working for Disney.

BRITNEY: That was a long time ago...When I was 11 or 12, I was on The Mickey Mouse Club on the Disney Channel. It was the best experience. It was so much fun. There were 20 other kids on the show, and that's where I got all my performing experience. There have been a lot of people to come out of there who have been really, really successful.

LAUNCH: Tell me about your audition for Jive Records. That must have been a nerve-wracking experience.

BRITNEY: I was so used to performing for big crowds. I flew to New York for the day. First, I had to go into this room with three A&R guys. I had to sing "I Have Nothing," "Open Arms," and "Jesus Loves Me" a cappella. I was so nervous. It's so different performing in front of thousands of people, and you're pumped and they're screaming and that gets your energy going. But when there's just three people sitting there staring at you, it's so different. Then I was done, and I thought I could go, but they made me perform in front of these other executives. They took me to this huge room, with about 13 people sitting around this table. It was the most nerve-wracking thing I've ever done. But they signed me, and here I am today.

LAUNCH: Your contemporaries--'N Sync, the Backstreet Boys--are you all friends?

BRITNEY: When we see each other, it's good to see them again, but we really don't have time to be friends per se. We're all so busy. It's hard to keep in touch. The friends that I keep in touch with are my friends from home.

LAUNCH: What kind of things do you do when you're at home?

BRITNEY: Usually when I go home, I do my studies and I go out with my friends. We go to the movies. It's really nice at home, it's like people know who you are, but they leave you be. I can still go to the movies, go to parties. It's still completely normal.

LAUNCH: As you become more famous, does it bother you to read gossip and other false things that are written about you?

BRITNEY: The media and people are going to say what they want to say--no matter what you say. It's just sad you have to deal with it in this business. You hear things and you laugh about them, but then things get blown way out of proportion. I've just learned it's a part of the business, I have to roll with the punches. I love my job and I love what I'm doing.

LAUNCH: Tell me about your Rolling Stone photo shoot. It's some pretty sexy stuff. How did that photo shoot come about?

BRITNEY: It was a wonderful shoot, actually. They came to my house and usually you have to go to a studio or something. It was really laid-back. We did it at my school and my house. I worked with this great photographer, David LaChapelle. He's brilliant. I thought the pictures came out really well. next >>