Girlfriends LA Magazine Cover
July 7, 2001
Source: Tonya Mitchell
GFLA- Girlfriends LA
TM - Tonya Mitchell
GFLA: Your first album has already hit the stores - were you nervous about the release?
TM : I was! I was more excited than nervous though. Definitely.
GFLA: Are all of your songs a reflection of who you are and/or things you've personally experienced?
TM: Ummm…maybe to a certain extent. You know, like, "Broken Promises?" I'm sure every girl has gone through that. But…I tried to put together a good album and tried to make the feeling real.
GFLA: Do you think girls will be able to relate to your lyrics?
TM: Definitely…Most definitely!
GFLA: What song do you relate to the most and why?
TM: That's hard. Probably "Broken Promises," just because every girl's had [her] heart broken.
GFLA: It's very universal.
TM: Exactly!
GFLA: Did you write any of the songs?
TM: No, not on this album.
GFLA: Did you have input when it came to the creative aspect of your debut album, I REPRESENT?
TM: Definitely. Everything [on the album] is me…Like the adlibs and stuff like that.
GFLA: Do you feel that your hard work is paying off?
TM: Yeah, I think so. [I'm] getting ready to go on tour with 'N Sync and everything. So, it's definitely paying off [LOL]!
GFLA: What are your expectations (as an artist, for your debut release, etc.)?
TM: You know, I'm not really sure what to expect. I'm kinda goin' with the flow. We've got the tour comin' up and maybe, hopefully, someday I'll get into some acting and, you know, I just want to be all around.
GFLA: Are you solely focusing on your music career for now and hoping that it will develop into something else in the future?
TM: Exactly! I always want music in my life though…definitely!
GFLA: Do you expect to write your own music for your next album?
TM: Oh, definitely!
GFLA: When do you expect to be working on your next album?
TM: I'm not really sure [LOL]!
GFLA: Was it easy for you to record your first album? Was it stressful and nerve racking?
TM: At first I was really nervous because I'd never really done anything like that before and I was a little nervous at first. But, I kinda got the hang of it. It was wonderful.
GFLA: What do you do to help yourself relax?
TM: I just remember what I'm doin' [LOL]…I'm like, 'wait a minute, I'm makin' my album…just relax' or, 'I'm touring with 'N Sync…just relax' [LOL]. But, you know, everybody gets nervous.
GFLA: Do you enjoy recording?
TM: Oh, I love it! I love it. I love meeting new people and getting to work with new producers and writers…It's amazing!
GFLA: How do you feel about your debut single, BROKEN PROMISES?
TM: I feel really good about it. Definitely…
GFLA: Are you working on a video for your first single?
TM: We won't have a video for the first single. But hopefully for the second one!
GFLA: Are you excited about making a video [in the future]…is it something you look forward to?
TM: Most definitely! I can't wait. It's gonna be cool!
GFLA: What do you enjoy the most about your budding career?
TM: I think it's a little bit of everything…like the recording and doing the shows, meeting new people, doing interviews [and] photo shoots. I think it's everything.
GFLA: What do you enjoy the least? Do you have anything you enjoy least?
TM: I don't think so. Honestly, I don't think I do [LOL].
GFLA: Do you ever get nervous or experience stage fright?
TM: Not when I'm performing. But right before I go on stage, I always have a little bit of nervousness. But once I get [on] stage, I'm at home.
GFLA: Do you have a pre-show ritual?
TM: Well…my dancers make me gobble like a turkey before I go on stage [LOL]! It's like a ritual thing we do for good luck [LOL]!
GFLA: [LOL] How did that come about?
TM: [LOL] I don't know! We were just in rehearsal one day and I did and everyone was like, 'Oh my [gosh], you sound like a turkey!' So, they're like, 'Okay, you have to do it before each show now!'...So I have!!
GFLA: Have you had any embarrassing moments while performing?
TM: Ummm…I don't think I have yet, except for the PA (sound system) went out one time. But, I didn't know about it cause I had my ear [piece] in. So, I didn't know anything.
GFLA: If you were aware of a technical problem like that, how would you deal with it?
TM: Definitely keep goin'!
GFLA: Now, tell us more about this 'N Sync tour? Are you excited about touring with, like, the most popular boy band?
TM: Oh, my [gosh]…we got two legs [of the tour] confirmed. I'm really excited!!
GFLA: Are you a fan of their music, or of them?
TM: Yeah! I like their music…and I listen to Britney. You know, I tell everybody I listen [to anyone] from Garth Brooks to Snoop Dogg. I listen to EVERYTHING!
GFLA: You were discovered by Justin Timberlake's grandfather and your manager is his mother, Lynn. When you were first approached, did you take it seriously?
TM: To a certain extent. I mean, he came up to [me] and he was like, ''N Sync, they're big over in Germany.' And [I was] like, 'Who is 'N Sync?' They weren't even out [in the US]. They [had] just released I WANT YOU BACK and [I was] like, 'Uhhh…what're you talkin' about?' So, I'd never heard of them before. Soon after that, they kinda blew up!
GFLA: What do you enjoy doing when you have free time?
TM: I like anything, like going to the mall…I like going to the movies. One thing that people find really interesting about me is [that] I like to weather watch 'cause I love tornadoes. So, I love it when a storm comes. I just stand outside in the middle of it [LOL]!
GFLA: How has your singing career affected your teenage years?
TM: Well, I don't really have much time with my family and friends or anything. But, I'm so excited about what I'm doin'. It's all worth it!
GFLA: How do you maintain relationships with friends and family?
TM: The phone! That's about it. But when I'm home, I'm with my family and friends.
GFLA: Is there someone you can always confide in and just be yourself around?
TM: My family. Most definitely my family.
GFLA: Has your family been supportive of your career choice from the beginning?
TM: Since I was old enough to walk. It's been wonderful!
GFLA: Do you feel that they are big contributors to your success?
TM: Oh yeah! [Otherwise] I wouldn't be here right now.
GFLA: Did you have a role model growing up? Who inspired you to become a singer?
TM: Oh my gosh! There were so many…Debbie Gibson, Mariah Carey…Tanya Tucker! Everybody! Country [or] rock…anything
GFLA: At what age did you decide you wanted to become a singer/entertainer?
TM: Growin' up I would always do it for fun, doing talent shows and stuff like that. But I was discovered when I was fifteen. So that's pretty much when I was like, 'Wow, this is gonna happen!'
GFLA: Is there a favorite artist you'd like to work with in the future? Besides N' Sync?
TM: I'm a big fan of Lauren Hill, Stevie Wonder [and] Boyz II Men.
GFLA: Do you see yourself as a role model for teenage girls?
TM: I think so, yeah. I wanna be a role model. Not only for teenage girls, but for younger girls and older girls too.
GFLA: What's the image you want to present to your fans?
TM: ME! I wanna show everybody who I really am. And [I] don't have to dress a certain way to get attention. I just wanna be a good role model.
GFLA: How do you deal with the pressure of constantly being in the public eye?
TM: Well, you know…I just have to go with the flow, pretty much. Just gonna be myself and hope everybody likes it!
GFLA: Girlfriends LA believes that every girl is beautiful and unique, no matter what she looks like or what clothing size she is. We know that it can be difficult for girls to believe in themselves & to be confident because the media portrays unrealistic expectations of what they should look like, dress like and how much they should weigh. What advice would you offer girls on beauty and fitness? TM: I would say that it doesn't matter what you look like. It doesn't matter if you have green hair, blond hair, if you weigh 300 lbs. or 3 lbs. It doesn't matter. I mean, if you have a good personality and you believe in yourself and you're confident, people will see that. You don't have to impress anybody. Just always be yourself!
