Интервью| Interview

Anastacia is one of the biggest popstars in Europe and Asia who has sold over 21 million albums since her debut in 2002. In her homeland, however, the Chicago pop singer has decided to stay low-key to maintain her privacy. She makes an exception for her gay fans when she will make a special appearance during this year's White Party in Palm Springs, CA that will be held April 14-17.

The singer connects on different levels with gays. Most importantly, because her songwriting emphasizes the importance of individuality no matter who you are or what situation you are in. After battling Crohn's disease and breast cancer, Anastacia persevered and is still going strong. Her last record "Pieces Of A Dream" is a greatest hit compilation that features hit such as "I'm Outta Love," "One Day In Your Life" and "Paid My Dues." Anastacia made time in her hectic schedule to answer some questions in an exclusive interview with ArjanWrites.

You will be headlining the White Party in Palm Springs this year. What does it feel like to be acknowledged as a gay diva?
I'm completely honored to be given this title and as one of my dearest friends said "you are our new fearless leader."

As a gay diva you have the power to rule the gay planet for as long as you live. What are three new rules you'd like to enforce?
Legalize marriage for all, cure for aids and a pill so no body fat or love handles can exist.

Do you have any clue as to why gay men are so infatuated by you and your music?
Most women who are admired in the gay community have a very powerful and strong voice and I feel in some way it connects us.

You are a superstar overseas, but in the U.S. you hardly get any attention. What's up with that?
At the beginning of my career it was due to unending changes within my record label and after awhile the anonymity I have at home is not something I'm willing to sacrifice.

What are your recording release plans for the U.S. and in general?
I have no recording or release plans for the U.S. and I just released my greatest hits record overseas.

You got your start when you performed in an MTV talent show. How do you feel about young new artists performing in shows like "American Idol"? Do you have any advice for them?
I very rarely give advice because everyone beats to a different drum. Sometimes advice can push people in the wrong direction. I do think that talent shows on television have been a wonderful way to give opportunity to struggling artists.

At the White Party, you will be surrounded by handsome and semi-naked male beauty. You have a very strict exercise regiment yourself. What is your secret to staying lean and mean?
A bag of Doritos and a diet coke. I'm luck to have good genetics on my side. In my future, if I become large Marge you better not desert me! Big girls need love too!

Many of your songs emphasize perseverance and staying true to yourself no matter what. To what point can you relate with the struggle many young gays go trough searching for acceptance?
Life gives everyone a struggle. I try to see the positive within my own struggles.

Who is your favorite gay ever?
Sir Elton John! He represents strength, intelligence, power, grace, true friendship and a fierce wardrobe as well as a hot husband!

What songs are rocking your iPod right now?
Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay, Enya and the Gypsy Kings.

BuddyTV: What were you doing before the show and what inspired you to try out to be the next Doll?

Anastacia: Before the show, I was doing my performing; I was singing and dancing and acting. I’m a make-up artist by trade and what really inspired me is I followed them (Pussycat Dolls) since they came out with their first CD. So, it was definitely as soon as I found out they had an audition, it was something I wanted to jump on right away.

Getting into last nights episode, honestly, I was really surprised when Robin made the decision that you wouldn’t be performing as a back-up dancer for the Pussycat Dolls performance. Can you talk a little bit about how you felt about the whole situation and Robin’s decision?

Sure. You know, I was starting to feel like my chances were getting more normal because I wasn’t chosen to dance with the Pussycat Dolls on-stage at the CD USA performance. And, at that point, my stress levels were high and I think my confidence was lower and I was already starting to feel that maybe the spot wasn’t going to be for me. I think that when I was actually being eliminated, at that point I had just accepted it and I was okay with the decision because I knew going into this that there was one spot for one girl, and you know, that’s it. So, I was okay with it.

That was going to be my next question. I was going to ask you how you felt about your final performance last night and the judge’s decision to send you home, but it sounds like that’s something you came to accept prior to them telling you…

Yes, I was okay with it. Although I felt that that final performance was my best performance on the show. I thought that it was ironic that it was the performance that I was eliminated on.

Now that you’ve been able to watch the show, are there certain things that you wish they showed on TV about you that they didn’t?

I feel like I was portrayed relatively accurately. I’m more serious, you know, I was the more serious competitor. I think that if anything, I feel like the clip of me singing and dancing, they wanted to show the struggle, but I think that there were times that I really shined that weren’t shown. So that’s the hard part to watch.

Do you have any predictions or favorites on who you think will win?

You know, I really don’t know at this point. I just hope that it goes to the girl that works the hardest and deserves it.

Last night you said that you’ve made some incredible friends on the show, who did you become closest to?

Well, Sisely and I were roommates at the very beginning and became really close on the show. And it was really hard to see her leave because she was kind of like a support for me. Mariela also and I became really good friends and are still really good friends.

So what are your plans now that you’re off the show?

Now that I’m off the show, I’m working on coming out with an album and writing music, and I’m working with a girl group and still dancing.

Do you have any final thoughts about last night or the show in general?

You know, I think that it was such an awesome opportunity for all of us, all of us girls to get on there and perform, even though we didn’t make it…or the ones that have not made it into the group. I think that it was just a great experience to learn something, to grow, and I’m just so grateful that I was given the chance to be on the show and to audition to be a part of the Pussycat Dolls.

www.myspace.com/therealanastacia

(Interview conducted by Royce Yuen)