Shoutmouth Interview: Tiffany

When you think of Tiffany, you inevitably think of the 80s. In the latter half of that decade, she was a bona fide pop star, selling millions of albums, putting out hits like "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Could've Been," and even originating the Mall Tour concept.

But that was 20 years ago. Berlin had a giant wall in the middle of the city, no one had any idea what a computer was, and Screech was still a skinny kid in middle school. These days, Tiffany is a singer/songwriter who draws from a wide variety of influences, everything from country to John Mayer. Her new album, titled Just Me, came out last week, and to celebrate the occasion, Tiffany held a special release party at the West Hollywood Virgin Megastore.

We recently spoke with Tiffany about her new album, her stint on the most recent season of "Celebrity Fit Club," and how she's changed after 20 years in the industry.

Can you tell us about the new album title, Just Me?

It's pretty basic. At the end of the day, this is my dream. This is celebrating 20 years in the industry. I have tons of people around me that help me - my husband, my family, my publicist, managers, producers. But I'm the one who has to sing it. It's in my hands to do the best I can do. I hope that I can rise to the occasion. I'm just elated to be, again, living my dream. This album is a celebration of that.

How do you feel the industry has changed over that time?

Oh, it's changed a lot. There's so many other avenues now to work a record, and it doesn't have to be one particular way. Before, it really was. You send the record out, you go to radio. That makes it or breaks it. And then you go on the road. Now, you have the Internet, you have so many other vehicles to get it out there. I'm a firm believer, because of the Mall Tour, that it's not always the standard way that will break a project. I'm an under-the-radar kind of girl. I love touring and getting out there.

Was there ever a time when you were regretful about your 80s songs, where you felt like they might hold you back in your singer/songwriter career?

I've never really regretted the Mall Tour, or doing pop or dance music, or anything like that. I think I regret some of the bad wardrobe choices that I pulled out.

I think everyone in the 80s would say that.

Some of those were the best. I have to say, I'm sorry.

Also, maybe the second album, there were some song choices... Once you've made something successful, I think there is expectation. You're out on the road, and the second record has to drop, and you're kind of swirled in with all this commotion going on around you, and I didn't have enough time to complete the second album. I think that we made some song choices that probably weren't the strongest. That's probably the only thing I regretted. But the album [Hold an Old Friend's Hand] also had some great songs, like "All The Time." It's one of those nice problems to have, that you're rushed because there's a demand.

You've mentioned a possible coffee shop tour to promote this new album.

I'm doing a lot of clubs, a lot of gay prides, a lot of intimate evenings. I love all the hats I'm wearing. I love even the 80s clubs. I'm not ashamed to be part of the 80s - I think that music is the best that's ever come along. I think where I shine the most is probably the intimate evenings. It's two acoustic guitar players. People get a chance to ask questions, and we never know what's going to happen. It's a different side of me that people probably don't know.

Why do you think you're so popular within the gay community?

Well... I think they rally around me to go, "girl, what is up with that hair and makeup?" I think I was a cause, actually.

I think my gay audience can relate to [my lyrics]. A lot of times there's secrets, there's heartbreak. They live that. That's been a lot of my life. I think they can relate to that. I hope they can.

A lot of people were like, "it's not a dance record." I was like, "yeah... they like talent."

What kind of songs do you relate to? What did you like growing up, and what do you like now?

Stevie Nicks, because she seems so powerful to me, yet she was so mysterious. I was a little girl, and I didn't know anything about her drugs, her touring. I just loved her voice. I was definitely influenced a lot by country music - Patsy Cline, Emmy Lou Harris. Now I'm influenced by people like John Mayer, the Dixie Chicks, David Gray, Tina Marie, Aretha Franklin.

Talk to us about your time on "Celebrity Fit Club."

Well, lots of drama there. I'm so glad that I did it. I met such great people - Da Brat, Warren G, Maureen. When I came off the road from last year's touring, I had just had a good time. I went all over the world and hung out. You could get up and go to the gym, go to hair and makeup, go to the shows. I just kinda took it easy. I didn't beat myself up if I didn't go to the gym and I enjoyed all the food along the way. By the end of the road I had gained a lot of weight. When the show calls you, you think "oh wow, you think I'm fat! That is so not cool."

So they just call you totally out of the blue?

It was out of the blue. I learned that if I'm not doing it [working out], I put weight on quickly. When I did the "Fit Club" show, it was great. I knew they were going to push me. I learned a lot about myself on the show. Like, I'm not the most athletic person.

Do you find the show accurate, or do they edit it to make it look worse than it really was?

Actually, they edit it to be more flattering. There were some real knock-down, drag-outs. Nothing physical, but put it this way: There's only so many times you can bleep something. They chose to have it be a show and throw some elements of drama in there. The rest of the cast, we all bonded, and I think we'll continue to be friends.

You had an "E! True Hollywood Story." What was your reaction when you found out they were making that? Cause you know 15 minutes into every one of those shows they do the part, "here's where it started to fall off..."

I'm very honest. Here it is, good or bad. When I found out I had my own "True Hollywood Story," you kinda feel like "OK, they're gonna air all the messiness." But you also feel like, "Wow, I've made it! That's pretty big time!"

They sort of alluded to Playboy on "Celebrity Fit Club." Would you ever considering doing Playboy again?

[Reader's Note: Tiffany was on the cover in April of 2002 - one of the "Fit Club" judges implied that she could pose for the magazine a second time.]

It's kind of hard for me because I have a 14 year old son. He was very aware that I had done it before. He didn't see the pictures, but there was press around it. I had to explain to him. I don't want him to grow up thinking that if you're naked, you're slutty or trampy. There's an appropriate way and a beautiful way to show the body. It depends on where your hands are and what your face is doing.

Playboy really got that. I really thought the pictures were beautiful.

He's 14 now and I think it'd be a little weird for him. At 8, it was different.

How was the Virgin Megastore release party?

It was awesome. I was really nervous before I went out there. It's different for me now. I put my whole heart into it. I've always put my whole heart into it, but also I let things lie now. I do my best, and whatever is meant to be is meant to be. It's out of my hands. I have great people working with me, I really believe in the album, I really enjoy performing the album, and that's the best I can do.

As you're singing, you're thinking of the next note... take a deep breath... hit that note perfect... all the other things... am I sitting like a lady on that stool? All these things go through your mind as you're performing. And at the same time, I really was taking it in. This is great - 20 years in the industry, performing my new album, all this support, all these people coming out. My band sounded awesome. And just how cool it was that I was surrounded by all that love and support. It was a great moment.

Here is the video for Tiffany's latest single, "Feels Like Love."