"Chat Transcript"

July 23, 2001

SHostTPZena: Good evening, everyone! I'm Zena from TeenPeople.com and I'm pleased to welcome Alicia Keys to chat this evening. (And Ms. Alicia is dedicated -- she's interrupting her dinner for this!) Alicia is *the* singer of the moment -- her remarkable debut album, Songs In A Minor, has topped the Billboard charts twice in the three weeks it has been out. You can send your questions for Alicia in now... Welcome, Alicia!
Alicia Keys: What's up? Whasssssssssssuuuuuuuppppppppppppppp?

HostTPZena: Let's get right into the questions...From Drama Momma 4Eva...

Question: Alicia, you are truly inspirational. Can you tell me about the article in Honey magazine saying you are or used to be bisexual?

Alicia Keys: Thank you, Drama Momma, for the inspirational part -- but how did you get biSEXUAL from biRACIAL? Because I am DEFINITELY ONLY INTO MEN!

HostTPZena: There is a difference between biracial and bisexual...

Alicia Keys: A BIG difference!

HostTPZena: From Distinct87...

Question: Alicia, how long have you been singing?

Alicia Keys: Since I was 4 years old. I loved it from the minute I started and I never stopped.

HostTPZena: From CAPlaya85...

Question: Who influenced you when you were younger?

Alicia Keys: My influences were everyone from Chopin to Marvin Gaye to Mary J. Blige to Miles Davis to Biggie.

HostTPZena: From Bluisweetie0512...

Question: Alicia, you're the best! What is the next single coming out?

Alicia Keys: Next single is "A Woman's Worth," one of my favorite songs on the album. We're doing a video at the latest in September, so the song should be out before then -- maybe end of August.

HostTPZena: From ACsChick8813...

Question: Do you have any celeb crushes?

Alicia Keys: Well...I might think some are cute, but I don't like to get into celebrities too much.

HostTPZena: From newacct978885...

Question: First of all, congratulations on all of your success. I feel that you deserve every bit of it. Although you have already accomplished a great deal, what are some of your remaining life goals that you would like to accomplish in the future?

Alicia Keys: Whew...heavy! I really like to be involved and help people. I'm a people person, so I think that a lot of my goals in the future will be very much related to serving people in the way of education, or in the way of supporting causes that I believe in, making things that maybe weren't so visible more visible -- things like that.

HostTPZena: What are some causes you support?

Alicia Keys: I think a lot of people that I know, and in the world, have been struck by this cancer epidemic, so I think that I definitely support that, from breast cancer to any type of cancer. Also, there's a big thing I'm into, and it's something called Guilty By Association. A lot of people are wrongly jailed because of this, and there's nothing they can do about it unless they have a million trillion dollars, which most people do not.

HostTPZena: From PhllysMostWantd...

Question: What kind of man are you looking for?

Alicia Keys: I like a man that has ambition. That pretty much sums it up.

HostTPZena: From BuggyGal88...

Question: How did you learn how to play the piano like that?!!?

Alicia Keys: Practice, practice, practice! =)

HostTPZena: So kids, listen to your mom when she tells you to stick with your lessons!

Alicia Keys: Or anything that you like.

HostTPZena: From LiZ iZ A aNgel...

Question: When did you get your first kiss?

Alicia Keys: This guy that I really liked -- he could also sing. We were walking around the park and it was dark, and he was singing "Always And Forever." And sooo... I couldn't help it!

HostTPZena: How old were you?

Alicia Keys: Welllll......... Let's say I was 14.

HostTPZena: From Aname87...

Question: How old are you, Alicia? Who does your braids?

Alicia Keys: I am 20, and I have two great ladies that do my braids. One of them is in LA -- her name is Nikki Tucker. The other is in NY -- her name is Elise.

HostTPZena: From CuBaN MaMi36...

Question: Hi Alicia. I wanted to congratulate you on your album. You’re amazing. I consider you better and more of a musician than even Whitney Houston and Celine Dion (my favorites). Well, my question is: what is your favorite and most meaningful song in your album?...Yenexis :o)

Alicia Keys: Thank you Yenexis! That's some pretty great people that are your favorites. The most meaningful song on my album depends on the day. One that definitely stands out as the most meaningful is between "Troubles" and "Caged Bird."

HostTPZena: From Lukyblonde807...

Question: When are you going to go on tour? I'd love to come see you in concert. I'd pay any amount for tickets.

Alicia Keys: Whoa! Well, I won't make you pay too much. I'm starting my tour on August 13 with Maxwell. It goes from August 13 to the end of October, so look for it in your neck of the woods.

HostTPZena: From Lancegirl10...

Question: Hey, what gave you the idea for your booty kickin’ song?

Alicia Keys: My booty kickin' song -- thank you for saying so -- came from life and how, when you really care about somebody, you just go back and forth all the time.

HostTPZena: From Kolabear1...

Question: Was it hard for you to move around with out seeing your parents for a long period of time?

Alicia Keys: Only sometimes, when I'm gone for a really long time, but I talk on the phone with my mother every day. Maybe even 2 and 3 times. So I barely even get a chance to miss her!

HostTPZena: From DaMissez072184...

Question: So what does it feel like to have your album named #1 in the country?

Alicia Keys: There's not a very good answer besides EXCITED and honored that people even relate to you and it and what you feel and what you do. It's something else.

HostTPZena: Speaking of honors, Alicia, you were just nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, and the record was certified platinum today.

Alicia Keys: What?

HostTPZena: You didn't know that?

Alicia Keys: Not about the award!!?! And I just found out about the platinum. HOLY ****!

HostTPZena: You're performing at the VMAs as well, right?

Alicia Keys: Yes -- where am I? That's what I want to know most of the time.

HostTPZena: Learn something new every day! Unfortunately, our time is up, but Alicia, thank you so much for coming by!

Alicia Keys: Oh man! Already? Thanks for coming to talk to me, and for making the record not only #1 in the country, but now platinum. What that really means to me is that we're relating to each other. And that's luvvvvvv!

HostTPZena: If you haven't already picked up Alicia's amazing debut album, which she wrote and produced herself -- Songs In A Minor -- stop what you're doing and go get it this instant. Thanks for joining TeenPeople.com for our chat with Alicia Keys tonight -- good night!

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