MTV: You did a video recently for "I've Got To Have It" from the "Big Momma's House" soundtrack. Jermaine Dupri told us that the video was a lot of fun to make.

Monica: Yeah, and what's good about this particular song is the fact that Jermaine and I have a relationship with each other. It made it easy to work, and it's a lot easier to work when I am not carrying the weight by myself. That was different for me, because I hadn't been in a group or in a setting where others would have to carry some weight. I probably could work two hours, and kick back, and then work two more hours.

MTV: After doing the whole acting thing, do you approach videos any differently now? Do you prepare for it like you do for a movie, or do you approach movies and videos as totally separate things?

Monica: Totally separate! For me, singing came real easy. Acting is extreme work. I feel work whenever I step into a project, so it's totally different. In videos and stuff, I'm really relaxed. I just perform.

MTV: Going back to the Oscar Mayer contest... what do you think of the new hot dog mobile?

Monica: It's actually very, very nice. It is extremely nice on the inside. I think it takes very strong human beings to pack up and get in the hot dog for a year. That's pretty much what they do. It's, like, six weenie mobiles out and about, traveling the country.

MTV: It's amazing how much you actually know about this contest. [M laughs] No, seriously! We cover a lot of events where there are artists who are spokespeople for events, and they come over and shake a hand and really have no idea. It's nice to see how you are really behind this and believe in what they're doing, and that you're involved in the contest.

Monica: I think it's good for the kids. I mean that. I think they will [enjoy the contest], whether they like hot dogs or not. [RealAudio] Having the opportunity for people just to hear them, just to experience that -- it's so important.