Mi2N.com - Eric West Let's It Out And Gets Personal On Dating Christina Milian, Being Homeless And Where Is That Album?

Eric West Let's It Out And Gets Personal On Dating Christina Milian, Being Homeless And Where Is That Album?

A year ago Eric West was considered to be the new kid on the block, I stepped into a West Side recording studio in New York City to interview Mr. West, where he was recording his highly anticipated album, a rare feat for a new R&B artist, but at the time West was also considered to be the Paris Hilton of the music and film industry, which lead to a semi-famous Spin quote "Eric West is famous much like Paris
Hilton, but for what?".

Once again, Eric West is a model turned actor and singer who has appeared on MTV, CNN's People In The News, named by the Internet Movie Database as Hollywood's Top Fresh New Face of 2004, was awarded an Elton John Award for Outstanding Achievement for his dedication to HIV/AIDS awareness, sadly, though all of this is an achievement, the world cares more about his personal life than his work.

Now that we forward a year later, the world still waits for his long-awaited album, (is it a coincidence that the world also waits for Ms. Hilton's album?). It's Monday, March 27, 2006, and I have to wait for Mr. Eric West. He arrives 20 minutes late, its 3:50 pm, as he finally enters New York's trendy Hotel Gansevoort in Soho, he's alone. Eric arrives like an ad out of a men's magazine for Abercrombie and Fitch or Calvin Klien, he turns heads with one observer wondering if he's rap star Pharrell, one thing is clear, Eric West is not the new kid on the block, he is no longer a boy, he's a man who turns 24 this year wanting control, power and to take over the world.

A year later history repeats, Eric once again appears to be shy but ready to talk about the album delay, his love life, and personal struggles in an exclusive interview.

Matt Dimmock: Eric West!

Eric West: [greets me with a hug] Matt, I'm sorry! I'm late! I'm just getting here from Long Island, my driver got lost.

MD: Eric, it has been a full year since I last interviewed you.

EW: I know. How have you been?

MD: This is not about me, I'm here talk find out about you.

EW: I'm great! Thanks!

MD: When will be finally be able to buy "Half Life"?

EW: I don't have an exact date, sometime this year, possibly early Fall.

MD: What has caused this delay? Are you collaborating with Paris Hilton?

EW: [laughs] No! That's hot but I'm not working with Paris.

MD: So what's taking so long?

EW: A lot has gone on, with people in my life, who work with me, this business is full of fake people as you know, so finding those people who are there for you and nothing else is difficult. I never got the right support, so I took things into my own hands, and took control. I hired a new staff of people, and started work on a new album with an amazing group of people. I'm not sure if the album will still be called "Half Life" once its out. But I'm proud of it and where we are today with it.

MD: Last time we spoke, you weren't a father. Now we hear you are.

EW: [laughs] Urban legends. That's funny. I feel like Paris Hilton, I can't put out this album without having something written about me that isn't true.

MD: So you're not a daddy?

EW: [laughs] No! Matt! I'm not a daddy! Not yet.

MD: OK, but now you're dating Christina Milian. How did you meet?

EW: I am?

MD: Yes!

EW: [laughs] Yes, we're dating! How did you know?

MD: People talk Eric!

EW: [laughs] Who are the PR people?

MD: You have a song called "I'm In Love" on your new album, is it about Christina?

EW: No, it's not. Really man! Seriously! I'm not dating her. We met a couple of times, hosted a show together, went to a fashion show together, and we have a lot of the same crew. But we are not dating, and its not secret, are we're not secretly dating either. [laughs]

MD: I was told you are!

EW: [laughs] I'm not! Would I ever date her? I'd never pass up the chance. She's my type of girl, I never got the guts up to ask her.

MD: Should I ask her for you?

EW: NO! [laughs] I respect her. Her mom Carmen is a beautiful person as well. They are humble and always friendly. I love them.

MD: Carmen your mother-in-law?

EW: Matt!!!!! [laughs]

MD: Your personal life has been public more than private, you're a new artist, but you're a gossip and Internet favorite to some extent. How do you handle rumors?

EW: You know what's true and what's right. It comes with the business. So you read it laugh and move on with life. I've been working, singing, acting since I was 12, almost 12 years. So that's 12 years of people who love or hate you, sometimes for no reason. When I met Madonna she gave me great advice on dealing with the business and people, she is someone who has been there and back, and still on top.

MD: Is that where you want to be?

EW: Everyone wants to reach that place. There aren't many Madonna's, Prince's, Janet's, Michael Jackson's in the business anymore. There is very little inventive thinking from my generation, so I took sometime to think about what I want to do with my album, I said to everyone it has to be eclectic, it has to say this is amazing or there will be no point in putting it out. So I looked for electroclash producers, new hip-hop producers. A new stylist.

MD: You've been able to shake off that Usher, Justin Timberlake comparison. The same can't be said for Chris Brown, Omarion. Why has that been different for you?

EW: I don't know Matt, ironically, maybe a lot of the press before the album helped people get an idea of who I am.

MD: What has changed since your fame?

EW: There are a lot of the things. I think number one would be the amount of people who can't wait to see you make, there are just as many wanting to see you fall, but you keep moving on.

MD: I read an interview you did, not so many years ago you were homeless, not long after having success as a child.

EW: It's true. For years I kept it a secret, my best friend didn't find out until last year. It was one of two of hardest points in my life so far. I was still on TV, and not one person knew. I was homeless for about 8 months, I refused to live with my dad or anyone for that matter. So I stayed somewhere that had no hot water, ever, no heat, I told myself I have to be strong and get threw it on my own, I had lied to everyone so that no one knew that was going on. I had lost everything, I had nothing, after having everything, I didn't know how I was going land on my feet, but I knew that I would. I didn't know why my life was so bad, and why this wasn't happening to me, and then one day I realized that God had a plan for me, and till this day I am thankful for that experience. [eric puts his head down and puts shades on].

MD: Can I hug you?

EW: [eric smiles]

MD: And now, you're a star on the rise. Award-winning for your humanitarian efforts, you've lost and you've gained more in return, people will see that and relate to you Eric, that not too others can touch.

EW: Thank you. [eric smiles]

MD: What other projects do you have planned?

EW: Other than finishing the album, work on two films later in the year, then promote the album.

MD: Eric thank you for taking the time to join me for a late lunch and for opening up your life to us.

EW: Thank you for your support. I means a lot to me. [eric smiles]

Visit www.eric-west.com for the latest news on his project.

Thanks to Full Picture for putting together this interview, and special thanks to Eric West.

About the author: Matt Dimmock is a writer for dozens of publications ranging from Playboy, Mi2N and Rolling Stone.

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