Heidi Montag: the hills are alive…

How the best TV villain since Erica Kane plans to be your next Britney Spears (just hold the crazy)

Scott T. Sterling, Metromix

February 5, 2008

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How I never ended up aboard the pop culture runaway train that comprises "The Hills" and its predecessor, "Laguna Beach," is really beyond me. In the grand, addictive tradition of "Beverly Hills 90210" and "The O.C.," the current MTV franchise seems chock-full of the ingredients to make a perfect guilty pleasure—hot, bitchy blondes and their dude-bro male equivalents engaging in trendy lifestyle porn. What’s not to shove down your gullet like a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby ice cream?

Still, I was somehow able to resist. I laughed at the “Team Lauren” and “Team Heidi” T-shirts that still dot the Los Angeles social landscape. At the same time, I had to give them their props. Other than the industry miracle that is Jacinda Barrett, there aren’t too many reality-TV alumni holding much cultural relevance, let alone gracing the covers of "Us Weekly" and "Maxim."

But I had to stop in my tracks and pay attention when word surfaced that Heidi Montag, the MTV-created villain of that world with a K-Federlike boyfriend (Spencer Pratt) and meticulously sculpted breasts, announced that she just wanted to…sing? Moth, I’d like you to meet your new friend, flame.

It wasn’t long before the initial fruits of her labor were leaked, with the song “Body Language” banging harder than most of Danity Kane's back catalog and able to go toe-to-toe with Britney’s overrated "Blackout" to boot. Riding a sample of Yaz’s eternal dance jam “Situation” and boasting a rap from Pratt, it had “Hollywood club hit” written all over it.

Is this girl for real? With the pop music world evolving so quickly, there’s a lot of room out there, and anything can happen (hello, Hannah Montana!). It was imperative that we find out from the source herself. So without further adieu, I give you Heidi Montag—budding, confident and ambitious sonic superstar.

When did you first get into music?
From the moment I was born. I come from a very musical family. All of my uncles played the guitar, and I grew up singing and dancing.

Do you remember the first CD you bought or your first concert?
My first CD was Madonna. I was probably 3 or 4, dancing around to Madonna. I love her. My first concert was the Spice Girls when I was 12 years old in Colorado.

With it being close to Valentine’s Day, what’s your idea of romantic music?
Probably like Etta James. I love her. Light jazz and classical music is pretty romantic. Obviously, like love songs [laughs]. I have a couple of love songs on my album. They’re not finished yet, but those are my favorite romantic songs right now.

So the album isn’t done yet?
I’m in the studio finishing it up. It’s still a work in progress.

How would you describe the sound of the record so far?
You can’t really describe it. It’s like its own genre of music. A little bit of it is hip-hop, some of it’s very…the best way to say it is that all of the songs make you want to dance. It’s all so amazing, and each song is totally different. Every one is like a genre of its own. My producer, Theron Feemster, is so incredible that each time he literally touches the keyboard it’s from a different time zone. It never sounds the same. He’s kind of like a musical snowflake.

Do you have a favorite song that you’ve recorded yet?
I have a couple of favorites. I love “Higher.” I co-wrote that song. It’s such a part of me. It’s the first real song I’ve done. It was just about a place I was in. It’s so hard in this day and age with all of the negativity out there. The song is about just going higher and not holding onto your past and letting that control you. We all need good people and energy around us. Life is just too short.

On “The Hills,” you’ve been painted as the villain. Do you enjoy that, or does it piss you off?
Neither. I’m not the narrator of the show. I knew going in that it was going to be from Lauren’s perspective. If I were the narrator, it would be a very different show. I can’t complain. I’m just happy to be on a show, and that’s the reality of things, no pun intended [laughs]. The truth always comes out in the end anyway, so I’m not worried.

So when do you get your own show? A Heidi Montag series would be huge.
[Laughs] That’s a good question! I’m going to stick with "The Hills" for a while. We have another eight episodes this year, and then another season. I’ll see from there what I want to do.

What can we expect from a Heidi Montag concert?
It would be crazy. Music is what I really want to focus on. I’m not too worried about TV. Music is my life and my passion. I really want to be an entertainer. I feel like so much of what’s missing in music right now is that amazing entertainer. I want for people in 20 years to be like, “Do you remember that Heidi Montag concert? That was the craziest show ever!” I want it to be really fun and memorable.

How bummed were you when the song “Body Language” was so heavily leaked?
That was unfortunate. You just have to deal with it, move on and go higher [laughs].

Will you keep that song on your album?
No, I don’t think so. I was working with a different producer at the time.

Do you have any new songs you can talk about?
I wish I could, but it’s all being kept under wraps. It’s the CIA or something.

When is it coming out?
In the next month or two, I’d like to have at least a couple of songs out and on the radio.

Have you talked to any other musicians for advice on the music business?
I talked to Dave Navarro a little bit about life on the road and in the industry, since he has so much experience. I met rapper the Game, and we talked about dealing with haters [laughs]. He was really cool. I met Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz. They were the best. They’re both so nice and down to earth. They had lots of great advice.

You and Spencer can probably relate to their situation. How much does he influence your music?
He’s such an important part of my life, and he’s brought a whole different part of me out. I never knew love like this existed until I met him. I’ve never been so happy with the person I am since we’ve been together. He encourages me to be a better person in so many ways.

If you could do a duet with anybody, who would it be?
Michael Jackson, Miley Cyrus or Britney Spears, if she could get her game back together.

Have you ever met Britney?
Not yet, but I’m dying to meet her. I’ve always been the biggest Britney fan.

What advice do you have for what she’s going through right now?
I don’t, because I have no idea what she really has to deal with. I wish her the best. I’m sure she’s doing the best she can. Maybe she’s happy and nobody knows it.

How do you deal with the tabloids and paparazzi?
I have such a great support system, starting with Spencer. Also, I’m really religious. I have God, and he helps me through the tough times. And my fans! I’d just like to say how much I love all of the great fans that support me. You guys are the best!

Scott T. Sterling is Music editor for Metromix Los Angeles.