Sometimes it's easy to forget that Melissa is, in a lot of ways, just an 19-year-old kid. Of course, she's a kid with a track record that grizzled showbiz veterans would die for.

She was the youngest female artist to have a single ["When I Say I Love You (Believe Me)"] debut at #1 on the "Billboard" pop charts. Her debut LP has already gone seven times platinum. She can, and does, work with some of the most accomplished pop producers, arrangers, and songwriters in the business. And now, with a current tour on tap and her Movie and Soundtrack album due to drop this Spring, it looks like the Oregon native is ready to do it all over again.

That she also manages to occasionally engage in borderline scandalous behavior only adds to her appeal. Who can forget the revealing playboy bunny see-through t-shirt she was wearing onstage while preforming at the 2000 Billboard Music Awards? Or the one about her suddenly opting out of an appearance in Atlanta to fly off for a weekend with her boyfriend Paul Walker? She might be a kid, but she's also shown hints that she might have the makings of a thorough, and thoroughly enjoyable, diva. We can only hope...

GQ Magazine's John Gill recently had words with Melissa. Of course, they were really nice words. After all, diva or not, she's still a sweetheart.

GQ: How is the new album be different from your first?

Melissa: This album is definitely more mature than the first one. I have more input, and I'm more confident in the studio. You'll be able to hear it when you hear the album. The tracks are a little bit funkier, and I'm having such a great time performing the new songs. It's a hot show every night.

GQ: Your first single seems to go in the more R&B/Pop direction.

Melissa: Well, it has. I wanted to do something different, other than your typical mega pop song. I love "Make You Mine," but if I sing that song one more time!...[Laughs]. I've performed it, like, fifty million times. But it's good. I definitely think it's a classic pop song.

GQ: Did you expect the success you've had?

Melissa: I don't think you expect anything. Of course, I had hopes and dreams of this; but no, I didn't really expect all this to happen. But it feels good. It feels great! I feel very blessed. I think God has plans for everyone, and I'm just thankful this is his plan for me.

GQ: To what can you attribute your success?

Melissa: I think it boils down to talent, and believing in yourself, and having people around you believing, as well. My family supported me and brought me to all the places I needed to be to help me get to this point.

GQ: Is it strange growing up in front of the world?

Melissa: It's a little strange. But it's okay. I think it's important that you surround yourself with good people. The people who travel with me have been with me forever, so I have that comfort level and they keep me humble. That's really, really important. That keeps you happy, because it gets so busy during the day that you long for those normal things, and having those normal people around you.

GQ: Do feel like you've missed out on anything?

Melissa: No, not at all. I've been in high school, I've been at the prom, I've been to Homecoming. I know what that's like, so I don't think I've missed out on anything at all.

GQ: You're working with some diverse people on this new album... Jermaine Dupri, Rodney Jerkins, Dallas Austin, and others. Does that bring out a different sound in you?

Melissa: Kinda, but I've kind of established my sound and the way I like to sing, and that's a big part of making a song. When you hear a song, even if you don't really like the demo, if you can go into the studio and make it yours, that's what's really important.

GQ: Did you do any writing this time around?

Melissa: I co-wrote 2 of the songs that are on the album. They're called "All I Am" and "Moments". "Moments", um, [Laughs] It's different.

GQ: Is it a personal song for you?

Melissa: Yes, "All I Am" pretty much is.. the lyrics are pretty self explanatory.

GQ: How does it feel to get two Grammy nominations, and be asked to perform on the show?

Melissa: It's amazing! I have to say, it's at award shows that I get the most nervous. I get really, really tense. I know I'll be freaking out, but I'm really excited. You know, that's what I dreamed about. When I was a little girl, when I would watch the Grammys, I was always joking around, "I'm gonna be there one day, I'm gonna be there," and a few years later, I'm like, "Oh my god, I'm nominated!"

GQ: You're also out on tour now right?

Melissa: Yes, oh God, it's so much fun!

GQ: Is there anything special that you do on the road to keep your energy level up?

Melissa: Really just having cool people around me, like my dancers, to make me laugh, and flying my friends in every now and then. On this tour I'll have my own bus, and I'll have my little dog. I just got a Yorkshire Terrier, Teacup. She's so cute. She'll keep me company, and my friends will keep me company.

GQ: Who would your dream tour be with?

Melissa: Michael Jackson. That would be hot. I would love to co-headline with him.

GQ: You're a big fan of his?

Melissa: I think he's amazing! Or Madonna. I think they both play amazing roles in the music business.

GQ: Are you excited about your new movie comming up?

Melissa: Oh, definitely, I'm so excited, we start filming and recording for the soundtrack next month, I really can't reveal to much about the script, but it's a GREAT script!

GQ: Well, I'd like to thank you for chatting with GQ today.

Melissa:: No problem at all, I had fun.