Girlicious first made a splash on the scene in 2008 with their debut single, “Like Me”, which hit #4 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart. The group featured Chrystina Sayers, Natalie Meija, Nichole Cordova and Tiffanie Anderson, whom were chosen for the group via a reality show by Robin Antin, creator of the Pussycat Dolls and the Paradiso Girls. With their undeniable charm, catchy choruses, and energetic live performances and videos, Girlicious proved to be quite successful, especially in Canada where their self-titled debut album hitting #2 on the charts. They also went on tour with the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears. Fast forward to 2010. Even though they’re now one member short (Tiffanie is no longer part of the group), they’re better than ever. Their infectious new single, “2 in the Morning,” hit iTunes today, so go buy it! Their sophomore album, Rebuilt, is due in stores this November. I had the pleasure of interviewing member, Chrystina Sayers, about her favorite songs off the new album and meeting Britney Spears, so click “Read More” for the interview!

Ahmed Bakhsh : Who, or what, inspires you?
Chrystina Sayers : Everything inspires me from famous people to everyday people.

AB : What do you think of the media’s constant scrutiny towards Lindsay Lohan and other similar names?
CS : I think its a good and bad thing for Lindsay and people like her. I say its a good thing because it shows everyone what not to do when you reach a level of success but its a bad thing because for Lindsay, and people like her who have a public “drug addiction”, it only feeds fuel to their fire. While the media is trying to expose these celebrities for their bad behavior, I believe it does the celeb no good. Especially the celebs who are super super famous. I honestly think it would be best if the media focused on nothing but the positive things celebs did. If this happened, I believe there would be less celebs trying to “act out” in a negative way and they would be more focused on their career then fame.

AB : The debut album was more urban. You girls are going for a poppier/electro-ish sound this time around. Why?
CS : I think the girls and I went for a more popish/electro/mainstream sound this time around for a few reasons. One, we wanted to try something new! Also, we have wrote a quite a bit on this album so it truly comes from our heart and we have all be inspired by pop mainstream music so we decided to take a crack at it! I think the girls and I have a pretty solid album and can’t wait for everyone to here it!

AB : When will Rebuilt [the new album] come out?
CS : Our album will be releasing around November.

AB : Are there any concrete plans for promotion across Europe?
CS : We are slowly prepping and planning our debut for all the Europeans! I can’t give any dates but definitely soon because it’s about time!

AB : There’s been a lot of rumors. Why exactly did Tiffanie leave the group?
CS : Well, let me just clear up all the rumors with my answer. First of all, Tiffanie never left the group. When the girls and I signed a new contract with Universal Canada, the new direction of the project only in visualized Natalie, Nichole and I. I always say that some of the most famous and successful groups in the world including The Beatles, Backstreet Boys, and even Destiny’s Child, had an extra member in the group that just didn’t completely fit the puzzle. Once that member was removed to reveal the true group, that group then became extremly successful! It’s all about solving completing the puzzle. You see, there is a lot of different things that complete a puzzle. Now Girlicious couldn’t be more then a completed puzzle! Natalie, Nichole and I just fit so well together. It’s amazing.

AB : How did you feel when Tiffanie left the group?
CS : Of course I was sad but you have to keep going on in life and moving forward. Now, more than ever, I feel very confident about the Girlicious project.

AB : How was it like working with the producers and collaborators on your first album [Girlicious], such as Madd Scientist, J.R. Rotem, Flo-Rida, Sean Kingston, etc?
CS : It was amazing working with all the producers that we have been blessed to work with. All of them are extremely talented and they really gave a lot of heat to our first album!

AB : How was it like going on tour with Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys? Did you get to meet them?
CS : Well, technically, our very first tour was with the Backstreet Boys, and that was amazing! We actually did get to meet, and on several occasions got to hang with those boys, and let me tell you, they are so much fun! It’s actually kind of crazy to think that me and the girls literally grew up listening to their music and then we just go on a tour with them after we got signed! So crazy!
As far as Britney; well, first off, I must say the girls and I also grew up listening to her as well and we are all major fans of hers. We did open up for her a few times and I have to tell you, those were some of the most amazing shows. Why, you might ask? Well, not only were we opening up for Britney but we also got to use her circle curtain for our opening. We actually were lifted up as the circle curtain revealed us! It was the most amazing feeling! We did meet her and her amazing dancers! What a amazing time that was!

AB : What is your favorite songs off Rebuilt, and why?
CS : My favorite three songs off of our second album, Rebuilt, have got to be all the songs we did with a producer named Beau Dozier. On a side note, we wrote all three of these songs as well. The first song is called ” Tell Me Lies.” First and foremost, this song is a club banger! I love this song because it’s edgy, cool, and it’s very unique. Its a track, vocally, that you have never heard before. It is also a track , rhythmically wise, that just keeps you on your toes! When I listen to this track I almost feel like I’m having a lot of anxiety because the beat it self just bumps so hard! Its pretty amazing! This song is about just having fun on the dance floor and being very confident about that!

I also love our song called “Wake Up.” This song is the only ballad that we have on this album. This song is about being in a relationship where you have felt pretty lost and you are very scared to leave that relationship because you are afraid that you might not be okay by yourself, but in the end of it all, you find yourself and you are able to now be strong and move on without being held down! I believe that this track has a super strong message and it not only pertains to relationships but it can pertain to whatever situation you have been in when you are feeling held down and want to break through.

Last but not least; “Grinding.” This song could be a great sneak attack in the clubs for sure, or a sexy album track, which it already is. This song is mid tempo and just super sexy! I feel like me and the girls decided to write this song for all our females who are super sexy and are in complete control of all their decisions whatever they might be. This song is one definitely everyone can and will vibe to.

AB : If you had the opportunity to work with any big producer or artist, who would it be? Why?
CS : Just to name a few… I would love love love to work with Timbaland. I think he is super talented! Also, I would love to work with him because I was and still am a die hard fan of all the amazing artist he has worked with like the great Aaliyah , Genuine, and Missy [Elliott]! Love that whole camp!

Also, I would love to work with RedOne. I think he has given [Lady] GaGa amazing beats and I totally dig it!

AB : What songs that didn’t make the cut, would you have liked to be on it?
CS : Every song that we’ve cut so far has made the cut so I’m pretty happy!

AB : Any news on releasing your music in the US / UK?
CS : Well, definitely! We have a song called “Drank” that is going to be a part of the Jersey Shore soundtrack. Our song has already gotten amazing reviews from People Magazine and Us Weekly saying it was the highlight track of the Jersey Shore soundtrack, so I thought that was super cool! The song has already hit the US airwaves, and is building, so that is very exciting. Finally the Canadian pop stars, who are American, will be able to release in the US!

AB : How do you feel about the huge success of ‘Like Me’ in Canada?
CS : I feel so blessed for the success of “Like Me.” It’s pretty amazing because I always felt it was a strong song everyone loved.

AB : Any news on a third single from Rebuilt?
CS : Our third single is called “2 in the Morning.” It’s a party club track!

AB : Were you surprised at the positive reaction the “Maniac” music video received?
CS : I wasn’t completely surprised. I felt like me and the girls definitely put in a lot of work to make the song and video be amazing! I am so happy everyone loves “Maniac!” Now we have more then 2 million views on YouTube, so our song is definitely getting around!

AB : Would you girls ever collaborate with the Pussycat Dolls or the Paradiso Girls?
CS : For sure, we would. That would be a fun colabo with PCD or the Paradiso Girls!