For the 100th issue of V Magazine, writer John Norris sits down with the legendary Britney Spears for her second cover -- her first was in 2011, with issue 70. Nearly 17 years after their very first interview (for MTV, in 1999), the pair catches up. A lot has changed since then: Britney's is now in her second leg of her Vegas residency, and wrapping up her 9th studio album. Here, three excerpts from her cover story, beautifully shot by Mario Testino.
On her forthcoming album:
"Honestly, I'm just particular with this record. It's my baby, and so I really want it done right. I would much rather have it be completely how I want it to be, whether that takes another year for me to do, or two months. I have no idea at this point. But I just know that the direction I'm going in is so good. It's the best thing I've done in a long time. I'm proud of the work, and it's very different; it's not what you would think at all. But I'm not rushing anything. I just want it to be done right, so that my fans will truly appreciate it."
On surviving the mass media circus:
"Whoever is in the spotlight, people are really quick to judge. I mean, there are a lot of kids coming up who've experienced that. You know, Justin Bieber, he's huge, and he experiences that. It's just the way the world works, unfortunately. I've been doing this for 20 years. I kind of don't pay attention to it. I have my relationship with God and myself and that's what matters to me. I really don't care what most people think."
On technology and social media:
"Honestly, I still don't use my computer," she laughs. "My kids use the computer more than I do! I understand that a lot of people are into it, and I have days where I write and stuff, but it's really not for me. It's not my thing."
V Magazine's 100th Issue is available on newsstands and at VmagazineShop.com on March 8.
All photography by Mario Testino
