LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes

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RIMES ONLINE
LeAnn Visits Cyberspace For a bn.com Chat
Country's teen phenomenon, LeAnn Rimes, joined barnesandnoble.com for a chat just before Christmas. With her latest -- LEANN RIMES, a collection of country classics by Pasty, Hank, Kris Kristofferson, and others -- making a home for itself on the top of the country charts, LeAnn took time to answer questions for hundreds of online fans. Some wanted to know about her idols, some about her clothes, and others wanted to know why she almost missed a personal performance for the Pope. Here's a taste of how the proceedings went, with the questions coming from LeAnn's fans.

barnesandnoble.com: What country artist has made the greatest impression on you?

LeAnn Rimes: Reba McEntire. She has been a huge influence since I was a little girl. She's a great businesswoman because she has been in the business for so long and has kept reinventing herself.

bn.com: We heard you were late for your command perfomance before the Pope. What happened?

LR: Actually when I went to see the Pope, our planes were delayed. I left from Minnesota, and I was supposed to go to Newark and then to Rome. There was so much fog in Newark we weren't going to make it in time, so we had to go to Minneapolis, then to Amsterdam, and then to Rome. We got there at 11:00, and the performance started at 11:30. I had ten minutes to get dressed. Once the Pope comes in the doors are closed, and I got there two minutes before he walked in, so I just made it.

bn.com: I love your new style. I was wondering where you do most of your shopping for your clothes?

LR: I have been on tour lately, so mostly on the road. A lot in Dallas and LA. A store called Traffic in LA. I work with a lot of designers like Donna Karan and Cynthia Rally. I like to stuff from Abercrombie and Fitch, too.

bn.com: I have a 16-year-old daughter and when I look at her, she's not dating as of yet, and then I look at you, I feel like you're just growing up too fast. I know that you have to look good for the screen but, wow, you look like you're in your middle 20's with your clothes and all your makeup. Please don't get me wrong, I think you're a beautiful and lovely young lady. I just pray that this business doesn't ruin you and make you grow up way too soon.

LR: I have great people around me to keep me grounded. I never have to go far because they are always there. The way I dress comes from something that is in me. A lot of young people today try to be someone they aren't because of preer pressure, but I kind of feel like what you see is what you get with me. And also, I have had to grow up faster being in this business, but for me, there are more pros than cons. This is something I have always wanted to do. I haven't missed out on anything -- that's the one question everyone asks.

bn.com: What do you like to do other than sing (which you do beautifully)?

LR: Something that really interests me is sign language. I had a neighbor when I lived in Dallas who was deaf, and he taught me the alphabet. Ever since then I have thought it was such a beautiful language.

bn.com: Do you find it hard to have a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship with all the traveling you do?

LR: It is very hard. I have been in a relationship with someone for a year and a half, but I make time for it because it is important to me. It is hard to be on the road. The only communication you have is by phone, but I have been fortunate to be off the road for the past six months, so it's been good.

bn.com: If you could sing a duet with any living singer who would it be? How about any singer?

LR: Any living singer, Celine Dion or Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. Any singer would be Patsy Cline.

bn.com: What was your most embarrassing moment?

LR: One of my most embarrassing moments was on-stage about a year ago. My set has a lot of stairs, and the lights went off at the end of a song. I started to walk down the stairs and fell three steps down. But by the time the lights went on I had caught myself. Only the front row saw it, and they were laughing really hard. Thank God the lights were off.

bn.com: What are your plans for the future, and will your country albums now follow a more traditional sound?

LR: The next album will not follow a more traditional sound. This new album is to give back to the fans what they have been asking for. They wanted me to redo a lot of [link] Patsy Cline stuff, so I did it. The next album will be very different.

bn.com: Where does all that talent come from? Do your mom or dad sing, too?

LR: They both can sing but have never done it professionally. I think it is more of a God-given talent, because they can't really carry tunes.

bn.com: What music are you listening to these days?

LR: I just got the new Prince CD, Sheryl Crow, and Aerosmith.

bn.com: With the structure of the music business today, do you feel that you have ample artistic freedom to explore and perform all types of music that interest you?

LR: I think it is a little hard because people try to categorize you, but hopefully I will be able to break that and really be an artist. I have to explore everything possible and everything I have always wanted to do. I have grown up listening to all types of music.

bn.com: What do you think the best part of being famous is?

LR: I guess getting into restaurants when they are totally booked! [laugh] No really, to know I have reached success is the best part for me, because this has been my dream for so long. There really isn't one specific thing. There are a lot of great things that come with fame.

bn.com: Of all the cities you have been to in the United States, which is your favorite and why?

LR: Thank you. I have been to so many places. Minneapolis is one of my favorites, and New York, but out of all the places, I have to say Dallas. Going into Dallas and going home and seeing people who have seen me grow up my whole life is always a lot of fun. There is always a great crowd in Dallas.

bn.com: LeAnn, do you have a spiritual background? With your present lifestyle, how are you able to hold onto it? Are you able to attend church?

LR: Unfortunately lately it has been hard to attend church. I am a huge Christian and was brought up Baptist. My mom really keeps me grounded, and with her around I will always remember my roots and where I come from. I am a very spiritual person, and that's why singing for the Pope was such an amazing experience for me.