Close encounters of the celeb kind No 4: LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes at the front row at J Mendel's spring/summer 2007 show.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT THE J MENDEL SHOW?
I am a huge fan of Gilles [Mendel, the designer]. He's such a sweet man so I love to come out here and support him. I have been wearing his clothing for many years.

WHICH OTHER SHOWS HAVE YOU BEEN TO?
I've been to Marc Jacobs and Monique L'Huillier, both beautiful. I think this will be my favourite though. I had a sneak peek out the back. Absolutely gorgeous.

WHY ARE THERE MORE CELEBS PER CAPITA AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK THAN ANY OTHER FASHION WEEK?
I don't know. I love New York. I think it's a blast. And it's just a fun week. I love the excitement of the shows. This is only my second fashion week. It's a really exciting thing. And I really have a huge appreciation for fashion and someone else's artistic point of view, especially when I have nothing to do with [the] music. I'm a consumer, I'm not a designer so it's nice to really just come and be a consumer and enjoy the shows and enjoy fashion.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE COUNTRY AND WESTERN INFLUENCE ON FASHION?
It's been interesting to see it flow in and out. It has. A year or two ago western wear was like the big thing and now Marc Jacobs just paired up with Wrangler to do a whole jean collection. Wranglers, I use to buy them in Texas for 50 bucks when I was a kid, so it's really interesting to see how it's weaving its way into the main fashion world. As a country artist myself per se I think I've obviously grown up in front of everyone's eyes for years and I think, keeping my roots in country music is wonderful and being able to mesh it really well with.... the fashion industry and being able to kind of combine those things, it's a nice way to do it. I think myself and Faith Hill, there's a couple of us who really are into fashion and we really have a huge desire to be a part of this world.

DO YOU THINK THE US COUNTRY AND WESTERN SCENE GOT A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO AUSTRALIA VIA THE RECENT KURBAN UNION?
Keith is a really good friend. He's a very sweet man. I think it all kind of works. I've had a huge fan base in Australia... there's definitely a base there that loves country music.

DO YOU THINK YOU INFLUENCED AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF YOUNG WOMEN TO BECOME LAP-DANCING BAR SLAPPERS AS THE RESULT OF COYOTE UGLY?
That I have? Oh no, I don't think it was me, I think it was many other things before that. I was 17 when I did the movie. I was a baby. It was fun and it was really entertaining and the music was great and it was a blast. Who knows? I think there were many women before me who have danced on a bar and encouraged it so I think we just were having a good time. I think if you're comfortable with your body and exploring your sexuality as a woman, I think that's your right. I personally in real life would never get up on a bar and dance myself. I've never done it and I think it's fun, it's fun to go and have a good time but it's also fun to respect your body and that's a really important thing.

EVER TEMPTED TO MAKE A POLITICAL STATEMENT WITH YOUR MUSIC A LA THE DIXIE CHICKS?
Who knows? Not right now. But I'm not going to say I never will be because there might be something that's really important to me one day.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IRAQ?
What do I think about it? I really wish we could all come to a conclusion. I really wish for world peace. It's very disheartening. I just performed for a 9/11 event a couple of days ago and it's an emotional time. It's really sad to see people who have lost their family members. And it breaks my heart. So I really do hope it comes to an end very soon.

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