| A platinum-plated R&B songstress branches out into acting... sound familiar? Not when it's Monica, who'd rather take a choice supporting role than grab for the spotlight her first time out. That's what the low-key diva did for her upcoming screen debut in the Freddie Prinze Jr. flick "Boys & Girls." The part has even led to a meatier role in an upcoming MTV movie alongside a co-star who also happens to be in 'NSYNC.
Monica's also got set her sights on the follow-up to 1998's "The Boy Is Mine," but first she's got another gig to take care of: the year-long Jingle Jam Talent Search for Oscar Mayer, which combs the country for the new singer (and lyricist) of the classic hot-dog ditty. As part of the grand prize, Monica will record the revamped tune with the winner.
As Monica told Roger Coletti of the MTV Radio Network, it's a project that's very close to her heart. She's even got opinions to spare about the company's new Wienermobiles. Oh, and she dished a few choice tidbits about her next LP and movie plans in the process...
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MTV Radio Network: How did you get involved with the Jingle Jam Talent Search?
Monica: My start was very similar to [this] atmosphere, and I just thought it was interesting that kids would get the opportunity to not only have fun, but reap the benefits of something that would be beneficial [toward the] college cause. We all know it's very expensive.
MTV: Where does your involvement go from there? Will you record something in conjunction with the contest?
Monica: Exactly. I will continue with Jingle Jam until the end. What happens is they will rewrite the Oscar Mayer hot dog song, but they'll have to rewrite it to the original melody. Once they write it, whoever wins, I will sing their lyrics [to the new jingle].
MTV: That's pretty interesting. You were talking before about how important talent shows were to you. Is this the sort of thing you would recommend to new artists?
Monica: I think so, for the simple fact that talent searches make you more comfortable with audiences. I went from singing in church to singing on talent-show stages, and it was a very different jump. A lot of times, especially if you sing at family churches or something, they will be nice, because they feel like they have to. But at talent contests, you get some extreme feedback. And if it's good or bad, you kind of take it, and you move along with it, and you better the things that people may have criticized from the beginning. You better yourself even before you meet record executives. A lot of times, they have their eyes on you through talent searches.
Monica dishes on Justin Timberlake, Freddie Prinze Jr., and her next album ... NEXT >>>
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