*Exclusive* John Legend Discusses Being a Modelizer, The Roots & His NY Cab Standoff
Posted by Bossip Staff
During our exclusive interview with John Legend he exclaimed, “You guys have been being nice to me lately.” Stay away from the tight sweaters and we’re good, John. We also got him to discuss the Evolver tour, smashing models, and his upcoming cd with The Roots that sounds pretty good. We’ve got some free concert tic for you under the hood too:
Bossip: We’ve proclaimed you a “modelizer.” It’s true that you like dating models, ay?
John: Well, obviously I have a track record, so I guess. I’ve gotten slack for that and I’m not ashamed of it. I’ve dated three models.Bossip: How do you feel when people try to give you slack for dating beautiful women?
John: At the end of the day, I don’t think guys will give me slack because they might be doing the same thing if they were me. It is what it is. I understand what people are saying and part of it is motivated by jealousy. When artists are in the limelight, they’re going to be criticized for everything that they do on some level. If she’s not cute, then they going to say something about that. They’re going to criticize on either end. You’ve just got to live your life and do what make you happy at some point.Bossip: What surprises can we expect from the Evolver tour?
John: Well, I don’t know about surprises, but you’ll definitely see some things we haven’t done before. We just try to really give the fans a great experience. I did a tour in the fall and the winter all over the world including the states, but this is going to be the biggest one yet. We’re excited. We have India Arie opening the tour, which I think will be great. I think the fans can expect something really soulful, really heartfelt and really energetic. We’re going to have a good time.Bossip: How is the duet coming with India Arie?
John: We haven’t picked a song yet but I just got some suggestions from a fan. I like the whole Lauren Hill D’Angelo (Nothing Even Matters) thing, but I haven’t run that by India yet so I have to talk to her about it and see what we’re going to do.Bossip: Are you as romantic in your real-life as you are in your songs?
John: (Laughs) Well, you’d have to ask my girlfriend. I don’t really think I’m as romantic because in the songs you always play up the romance, so I’m probably not as romantic in real life. But I’m a good boyfriend, though.Bossip: Let’s take it back for a minute. Some of the critics said that Once Again was so introspective that the fans couldn’t get into it. What’s your take on that?
John: Each album has its own flavor and I think that Once Again was more introspective. It was more romantic. It was more classic in a sense and more mellow. That’s where I was in my creativity at the time. Once you’ve done that, you want to try and do something different. Evolver is kind of the other side of Once Again. It’s a bit more up tempo, and the beats are harder. It’s, in some ways, like a return to Get Lifted.Bossip: Back to Evolver. Was “Cross the Line” inspired by a personal experience?
John: (Laughs) I think every guy has gone through that. Yes, it was inspired by a personal experience. It’s where you’re with someone and you’re friends and it’s platonic, but you want to push it further.…especially after you’ve had a couple of drinks. You’re tempted to just try to make it happen at that moment.Bossip: What genre would you classify yourself in now?
John: It’s soul at its core. Production wise, I’ve ventured into quite a few things. Some things are more classic soul, some things are more updated to be more contemporary – kind of R&B and Pop.Bossip: So…are you in love now?
John: Yeah, I would say that.Bossip: Okay. Marriage anytime soon?
John: I don’t know about that.Bossip: Do you want a family? Do you want kids?
John Legend: Eventually, yeah. I think that my life has to slow down a little bit before I can do that.Bossip: Do you feel like we’re in a generation where the ideals of marriage and kids have completely changed?
John: I think people are going to get a little more accepting of more non-traditional relationships. I’m not really in favor of people having a lot of kids out of wedlock or people having single parent homes if they can avoid it. I think it’s fine if people have the means to take care of a child and want to do it. Everyone has their own personal choice. It’s pretty clear that it’s better for a child to have two parents that are able to take care of them as well as educate and influences them. Whenever that’s possible, I think that it’s the best situation. Even if you’re not going to legally get married, at least there are two parents raising the child.Bossip: What’s the deal with the album that you’re doing in collaboration with The Roots. It’s slated for a 2010 release, right?
John: Yeah. I’m really excited about it. We were thinking of doing it last year during the election. It’s an album of protest songs, political inspiration and social uplift. At first we were going to just do it from any era but when we got into it, we felt as though we should just focus on the sixties and seventies. We’re using a lot of the songs from the civil rights struggle and the black power movement. The stuff that sounded the best was from those eras. We wanted it to be amazing and beautiful and it’s really coming together, but between our schedules, we’ve been having a hard time getting it done. Hopefully we’ll get it done by the end of this summer, and put it out late this year or early next year.Bossip: Are these covers or original pieces?
John: Covers, it’s all covers – a complete remake album. Some of the songs you will expect, and some of them will be a little off the beating path. I’m excited about it. I think it’s going to be incredible.Bossip: Can you give away any of the songs that might be on the CD?
John: Well, we’re picking the name of the album from Wake up Everybody from Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes. That will definitely be on there. There will be some other stuff on there, but I’ll wait and save that for later.Bossip: So, you’ve been in the gym and we’ve seen pictures of you with your shirt off. We want to know if you’re trying to get sexy on us?
John Legend: It’s funny because I’ve been working out since like ‘04 or ‘05 when I first started touring. I decided that I didn’t want to be out-of-shape while on tour, I wanted to look good. If you’ve been to any of my shows, I usually take my main shirt off and I just have on my tank top, and girls see me doing that at the shows. I think most of my fans are already used to that but, people that don’t follow me closely were probably like ‘Oh Wow!’ But, it’s really not anything new because I’ve been doing it for a few years now.Bossip: Do you see yourself as a sex symbol?
John Legend: Mostly, I see myself as an artist, but I think that there’s that angle as well. I’m not ashamed to play it up a little bit.Bossip: Now, tell us about this cab driver standoff you had in New York?
John Legend: I’ve been sharing a lot on my twitter page! I oppose to cabs anyways. Sometimes as a black man in New York, you have issues with cabs even from brothers that are drivers. A lot of the brothers are from other countries and they don’t always trust black people when they try to pick us up. I’ve always gotten stood up by cabs , so I have a love-hate relationship with cabs. Mostly hate. I get in the car and the cab doesn’t have his off duty light on or anything so he’s supposed to be ready for duty. If he had a problem taking me somewhere, he should have said something before I got in the car. He’s like ‘I don’t want to go there, I’m going another direction.’ I’m like ‘Buddy, you have to take me where I want to go. You’re not off duty. You’re working and you‘re working for me.’ So, he’s refusing to do it and I’m like ‘Well, I’m not getting out the car unless you take me where I’m supposed to go. We’re going to have a standoff.’ We spent like twenty minutes sitting on the side of the road for a second and he decided eventually that he was going to do what he was supposed to do. He took me downtown.Bossip: How do you feel about all of this naked-ness going on over the Internet?
John: First of all, it’s hard to judge because you don’t know how it was released. Everyone does things in their private life, but when you’re a celebrity, you’re exposed a little bit more even if you don’t choose to do that. You have to be a little bit more careful. What I was joking about at the time (on twitter) is that it loses some of its shock or some of its excitement when everybody’s doing it at the same time. I feel like everyday there’s a new revelation. Once you see that many revelations, it’s like old news after awhile.Bossip: What’s been your greatest achievement thus far?
John: It’s hard to say. There have been a lot of great things that have happened over the last four or five years. Overall, I would say that I’m happy that I have been able to succeed in a way that I can be proud of. I love making music that I really believe in and having fans that really support me and respect me for who I am. I’ve had three really successful albums and successful tours. I believe my music doesn’t sound like anybody else.
Bossip.com wants you to get to see John Legend in concert! To win free tix to see John perform, send an email to – jlbossip@gmail.com. In the subject, include the city you want to attend and in the body of the email include your first and last name and birthdate. Each winner will be selected at random and will receive two free tickets. You may submit names until Friday July 17th. Dates below.
6/30 – Fox Theatre, St Louis
7/5 – Chastain Park Amp, Atlanta
7/8 – Mann Performing Arts Hall, Ft Myers, FL
7/11 – PAC, N Charleston, SC
7/14 – nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth, VA
7/15 – Charlottesville Pavilion, Charlottesville, VA
7/17 – Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
7/18 – Palace Theatre, Albany, NY
7/28 – Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
7/31 – Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
8/1 – Nautica Pavilion, Cleveland
8/3 – Riverplex Amp, Pittsburgh
8/5 – Toledo Zoo Amp, Toledo, OH
8/7 – Bank of America Pavilion, Boston
8/10 – Constellation Brands PAC, Canandaigua, NY
8/12 – Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank NJ
8/13 – MSG, NY, NY
8/17 – Metropolis, Montreal
8/24 – Spirit Bank Event Center, Tulsa
8/28 – Chateau Ste Michelle Winery, Woodinville, WA
8/29 – Maryhill Winery & Amp, Goldendale, WA
9/1 – Greek Theatre, Los Angeles
9/4 – Raley Field, Sacramento
9/5 – Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA
9/6 – Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA
9/10 – Castle Theater, Maui, HI
9/12 – Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu
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GO BLACK MAN!!
i still think he n kanye were luvrs.
Lol he forgot to say those female models are his beards, I bet they’re paid quite nicely for doing their “job”. He has issues.
LOL @ “Are you trying to get sexy on us?”
i’ll be glad when my brothers and sisters grow up enough to get over the gay thing.
also, the uptempo tunes on evolver are great, he should do more songs like that. it’s nice to hear a grown man singing and actually making money.
He’s a men and over 30 and says “eventually kids”. that’s sad. John u are rich!!! go and have some babies!! lol
Legend and the Roots? Dude trying to make me a fan.
Is he still with Christine Teigen? She’s half Norwegian half Thai, very stunning. I understand you John Legend, wether it’s a “beard” or your actual gf, a beautiful woman on your arm is mandatory in the industry.
John…please don’t let me have to put you on blast for the multiple sex parties that you attend…as well as the way you prance around Chelsea Piers Gym like you’ve just been gang-banged the night before. Everyone knows your a dirty *****. Stop the foolishness. No one cares about the beige w***** that you call your “girlfriend”….more like “Good Girlfriend”! LOL.
@i know the truth
WOW!!!! What did JL do to you? This sounds personal. Did he offend you in some way or is this some random hate?
ok interview, nothing special.
IT’S JUST THAT DUDE IS THE LAMEST EXCUSE FOR A POP STAR. HE SHOULD JUST MAKE MUSIC–*****ODY GIVES A ***** ABOUT HIS PERSONAL LIFE–THUS THE 12 COMMENTS UP TO HERE
I use to be the biggest JL fan but now he is just a bore to me………………YAWNING!
Yeah Bossip can be nice to John cause the commentators are killin’ him.
Good job Bossip
I think some of JL ex gal pals like to come on blogs and hate on him cause hes not with them and seems to be with a real girl.yeah she not black but seems to be the real deal and comes off humble like JL.
Wether u like his music or not he really is one of the greats of our generation with the Grammys and praises from the greats in the industry to back it up PERIOD!
LIVE IT UPPPPPP….WE CAN GO CRAZY…LIVE IT UPPPPP…YOU AND ME BABY!….love that damn song!!! Listen to it over and over and over!
@ Patrick shut yo a$$ up, JL is sweet as pie, and needs to stop frontin’. We will never like a D.L brother!!!..Keep it real *****!!
Honestly i don’t care if the ***** is gay or not! His first album was *****ing ridiculously hot and if he is gay that’s more girls for me. So it’s win win for me i smash to his tracks and i get the women he don’t want. Go ahead if you are gay homie be gay…
Legend is too intelligent for your average coon-***** Bossip reader.
BORING ***** CD, GREAT LIVE PERFORMER, BUT HE GIVES ME GAY FACE ALOT. all those tight pants and soft colors, i’d trust him to DO MY HAIR, nails and toes anyday. AND HE CAN PROBABLY DO A FIERCE HAIR WEAVE OR LACEFRONT
WHY WONT HE AND MARIAH RECORD “WITH YOU I’M BORN AGAIN”. LIKE THEY DID ON VH1.
beautiful song
I found a great site “”"”" MillionaireLovelinks.com “”"”"” It ’s where you have the opportunity dreaming about dating a millionaire and make it true! I thought everyone needed to meet some miracle after all the terrible stuff in the news and the economy
John’s a smart dude but just way behind the curve in many ways. Good luck to him though.
Gayer than Gay Gayerson on Gay Day in San Francisco wearing pink sequin pants.
Shame on you Bossip for trying to “in” a man *known* for his love for other men.
Panache Report, this ain’t.
he sound intelligent and i apptrciate his frankness.. so many celebs (beyonce) act like they’re scared of the paparazzi. It shows how out of touch they are with their fans because we know a canned answer when we hear one…
I wish him al the best I might just make that MSG date in NY!
I ALSO LIKE THE JOHN LEGEND AND MARIAH CARRY SONG, WHY DONT THEY DO THE SONG ON RECORD, IT WAS SO PRETTY.
with you i’m born again
Damn! what does this man has to do it so many HATER!You know what it doesn’t matter “DO YOU” John Legend some one like you, You’re RICH now. so your personal status is personal you don’thave to explaine to any one what goes on in your house hold. I hate that you don’t date a SISTER but over all you still my number one boy and I will support you to the END!
@somer
I know from prior JL posts, that u were a big fan.
What happen? Don’t leave me hanging.
@pride
I love reading ur posts, because we r on the same page.
lil ***** just doin it for show lil do you kno
“with you, I’m born again” does not mean lovey dovey boyfriend girlfriend *****. it is an ode to their demons, idiots.
Good interview. And HUGE props for the cab standoff–they act SO funny with black people but esp black men. Glad he held his ground. I love his music, but the last album was like a sophomore slump, couldn’t really FEEL it like on Get Lifted. Hope this one is a bit more…idk…awesome? lol
You play up the romance in your songs? NEXT!
HA. His cab stand off is kinda like my relationship with Black men. They dont want to date a Black woman (cough,cough) because they have had bad experiences with them. I kind of have a love/hate relationship with Black men, mostly hate. But if they dont want to date me I wont force them I just let them chase the white/light women with straight blonde hair down to her *****. Thats the Black mans ideal woman.
hi bossip. I just phoned and left a message. I really want to go to his concert. I’ve never been to a JL concert. I enjoy his music.
I LOVE INDIA ARIE & if they duet that would be fantastic !
WHOA
I got my tickets!!!!
@taylor : Did u buy your tockets or you won this bossip contest ?
I know some folks who know some folks who know my boy JL from back in the day in Nashville Tenn. and JL was not into women then. I Love his music but oh boy need to come out the closet. I’m just sayin.
Um when we see ur chicks we don’t give you slack because they are beautiful and are jealous, we give you slack because they have flapjacks and eat toilet paper for breakfast. Holla at a ***** with even a pinch of an ***** John and maybe i’ll be jealous. Next…
@ lilkunta … won them on bossip. The show was one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. They even started on time
@Da Truth : 2nd & 3rd hand stories r just gossip, so u r on the right website. If JL is homosexual, y must he tell the whole world? It isnt the world’s business.
@bullcityBaby: You post makes no sense.
@taylor : Argh. I entered this contest daily & aint win. I never win nothing
. What city did u get tickets to? I have a feeling the tix were for NY. NY always gives ou free tix, other cities r ignored.
To Da Truth…now I know for sure that all your comments about John are all lies…first off John is not from Tennessee so you and your so-called friends are lying. Somebody must be paying you to tell lies…you must want to be with John…did you approach him and he rejected you? Is that why you are so bitter and spreading dirty rumors? But you know what…John does not care. You and all that others can say he is gay until you are blue in the face…he knows who he is and GAY he is NOT!!! You are all just jealous!!!!!!!!!