GWEN STEFANI
On writing hits: “I do! Why wouldn’t you want that many people listening to the songs that you wrote? There’s no way to go back after you have had it. So the intentions of even the solo records were always about trying to write those guilty-pleasure albums that just get in your head and you can’t get out. I’m not cool, I’m not into the B-sides. Prince, who is one of my idols, gave me some advice when I worked with him: “Have you ever just tried writing a hit? Like, don’t just try writing a song, try and write a hit song.” I remember him saying that and me thinking, Yeah, you’re right. Why would you write anything else?”
On her marriage to Gavin Rossdale: “The first time we ever kissed was right around Valentine’s Day—we were in New Orleans on tour. So, yeah, I always think about that because it’s unbelievable that we’ve been able to stay together. I feel so proud of us—it’s one of my biggest achievements.”
On performing while pregnant: “It was horrible. Certain songs would make me want to puke. You feel pretty gross when you are first pregnant. You don’t feel cute, you feel disgusting. You’re getting fat. It was hard. I mean, I’m very vain. That would be my middle name. Of course I am, you know what I mean? I love the visual."
On whether Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Katy Perry have taken a page out of her playbook when it comes to style: “Really? I don’t see myself in those girls. I usually put pants on. I see these girls as more going for the sex-symbol thing. I was more, in the band, like a tomboy. Of course, I think every girl is sexy, so there’s going to be a little of that. But I see a lot of younger artists going more toward the sexy thing.”
On pop music: "When we were growing up, some of the hits were legendary ones that you hear your whole life. But certain songs, I don’t know if you’ll ever hear them again. Because that’s what that music is, like a guilty pleasure, it’s right at the moment. It’s like fashion—it’s now, then it’s gone."
On the cover: Gwen is wearing a stretch wool dress with leather trim from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci with her own earrings.
ADELE
On the love songs written about her ex: “We’re not on great enough terms for me to say, ‘Oh, have you heard my record? It’s number one; did you know?”
Adele wearing a Burberry dress and Eddie Borgo necklace.
NICKI MINAJ
On being a rapper: “I always wanted to play with the boys. I didn’t want to be a pawn in their game or have a sidekick role. I wanted to be more of a lead character – a superhero.”
Nicki Minaj wearing a knit minidress by Mark Fast
FLORENCE WELCH of Florence and the Machine
On performing at the 2010 MTV Music Video Awards: “It was my intro to America. And they could have sent me packing if it hadn’t gone so well.”
On her sophomore record: “The lyrics are about sex, guilt, religion, science, and revelations. You know, all the good stuff.”
Silk bodysuit, silk monogram skirt both by Louis Vuitton. Vintage earrings by House of Lavande. Bronze bracelet by Stephen Dweck.
ROBYN
On creating her latest album, Body Talk: “At first it was a way of having more fun. Then it started to influence how I communicated with my fans—how to bring new music into a live set throughout the whole year.”
Baroque-motif dress by Prada.
STEVIE NICKS
On her music: “What I always wanted was to affect people. Especially women in rock ‘n’ roll and what they could write about. We are a force of nature.”
On writing: “I have truckloads of leather-bound journals. And when I’m long gone, my niece and all my fairy goddaughters will get to read about my songs and how they happened. They’ll have my whole life in their hands.”
JENNIFER HUDSON
On performing in gay clubs when she was younger: “In high school I was like, ‘Well, these are drag queens lip-synching, and I can really sing; why can’t I go up there?’ I would win all the talent shows.”
On the changes in her life: “My surroundings and my lifestyle are different, and it’s like, what part of Jennifer is the same as 10 years ago? The only thing I have to hold on to is my voice.”
Beaded silk dress by Diane von Furstenberg. Gold and diamond bangles by Roberto Coin.
ARETHA FRANKLIN
On wardrobe options for her tour: “I am going to rock this [size] 16. Sixteen probably sounds large to girls who wear 10s and 12s, but I love it, because it looks good on me.”
WILLOW SMITH
On her full length album: “It’s going to be a party beat. I think you’re gonna like it!”
HILLARY SCOTT of Lady Antebellum
On Lady Antebellum’s songs: “There aren’t a ton of people in this country who will understand songs about riding a tractor through a pasture. But when it comes to falling in love and out of love and getting your heart broken, there’s no way you can’t understand what the song’s about.”
Lambskin jacket by Chanel. Cotton T-shirt by Armani Exchange. Gold padlock necklaces (around wrist) by Eddie Borgo. Metal and enamel bracelet by Chanel. Studded leather boots by Azzedine Alaïa.
Photos and info courtesy of elle.com
Credit @ ELLE magazine
