COVER GIRL

Scarlett Johansson recording an album? Seriously, give it a chance.

Yes, we know - celebrities recording albums is usually a bad idea.  But when NYLON got a sneak peek at Scarlett Johansson's record in February, the reaction was decidedly different:  This was an album we'd covet and cover regardless of who put it out.

But that doesn't mean it wasn't fun - maybe a little too fun - to curl up with Scarlett in Los Angeles and ask her all kinds of crazy things.  From Ryan Reynolds to Barack Obama, she talked about it all - and here's some outtakes from her upcoming interview:

ON AVOIDING A POP ALBUM:
I guess this was the equivalent of making an independent film as opposed to a huge studio production. And I think that it was important that it had a certain kind of attention and that it didn’t get lost in a huge mix of things.


ON ROAD TRIPPING WITH HER PRODUCER, DAVE SITEK (TV on the RADIO):
I think I broke the sound barrier driving there.  I think it took us about three days to get there. It felt pretty epic, about the time we hit Austin, I was like, ‘ugh! Texas! How can it be so big?’ I felt like we should be in Iceland by the time we got there. But it was a great amount of time to bond with Dave – you know, when you’re in a car with somebody for that period of time you just end up shooting the shit and telling your life stories and weird things you’re thinking about, and sharing a lot of music with each other.

ON EVERYONE BEING SUSPICIOUS ABOUT HER ALBUM:
I don’t understand it. I know a lot of writers who take pictures, or makeup artists who paint,  or sculptors who make jewelry, all kinds of stuff – so what’s so surprising about an actor who sings?

ON CANVASSING FOR OBAMA:
It’s been really amazing. I’ve had such an incredible time being a part of the campaign; being a surrogate for the campaign. I first became aware Obama probably four years ago about after Bush had been reelected and I was so depressed, and my brother called me and he said, ‘Hey, have you heard of Senator Obama? He’s so interesting, it would be so amazing if we could have a president like that someday'... I just think he’s such an inspiring person. And listening to him speak – that race speech, unbelievable, so moving... Seeing this kids who are there – maybe they’re fans, maybe they’re not – but they’re there to become politically involved. And that’s been awesome.
--REPORTING BY APRIL LONG



This story was published on May 22, 2008.