Christina Milian: don't worry, J. Lo. This singing actress has a different career path in mind

Interview, Dec, 2003 by Lewis Beale

Singer, songwriter, budding movie actress--Christina Milian is one busy 22-year-old. "My family have always been go-getters," says the New Jersey--born, Maryland-raised hybrid talent from the set of Cheer Up, where she's playing a cheerleader in the Witness Protection Program.

Milian was all of four or five when she decided show business was for her; since then she has done theater (a touring production of Annie Warbucks), appeared in TV commercials and on sitcoms (Clueless and Sister, Sister), and written and performed music. The Cuban-American cutie dueted with Ja Rule on his 2000 number-one single "Between Me and You," and though her self-titled first album, which she describes as "bubble-gum pop," was never released in the States, her "more R&B" follow-up, It's About Time, will drop globally in February.

But before that, after a few blink-and-you-miss-it movie roles, Milian is starring in two new films: the December romantic comedy Love Don't Cost a Thing, in which her bubbly, girl-next-door personality charms dreamboat co-star Nick Cannon, and Torque, an action-fueled motorcycle pic due in January.

Milian may seem as if she wants to be the next J. Lo, but that's not necessarily the case. "She has been able to create a career out of music and acting, but I also look up to Diana Ross, who was able to do the same thing. And I just love Julia Roberts. I would love to have her movie career." Stay tuned.

Lewis Beale is a frequent Interview contributor.