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"I'll Survive You" with BC Jean

"I'll Survive You" with BC Jean

2:57·By Gemma G
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About this video

We sit down with singer/songwriter BC Jean as she discusses new projects, future aspirations, and musical influences. Hear what she has to say about style, on-stage mishaps, and the origins and evolution of her hit single, “If I Were a Boy.” Plus, catch a glimpse of her music video “I’ll Survive You”! Hosted by Oliver Trevena.

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Young Hollywood

You're back to Young Hollywood. I'm Oliver here with Young Hollywood. With this gorgeous and funky BC Jean. How are you?

BC Jean

Thank you, I'm great. Good to see you. How are you?

Young Hollywood

I'm great. How do you pick these outfits? Look at it. Sparkles, very glamorous.

BC Jean

Thank you. I just kind of start with one thing and I really wanted to wear the suspenders today, so then I figured, okay, I have to wear pants that connect to the suspenders and then I just go from there.

Young Hollywood

I I I hate that problem as well. I try to get as tall as I can get.

BC Jean

Yeah, they're big old heels and you just uh recently fell over, didn't you?

Young Hollywood

I did right before you got here, but I didn't do it for the show, so. It's good timing. If you can get all the falls out the way. It's good. Get that nerve out.

BC Jean

'Cause I'm all right. I'm all of the damage you don't know my life. Yeah, that's why this fight. You're not going to see me cry. This my mom. So Right here.

Young Hollywood

A lot of people out there know you from uh If I Were A Boy. Yes. Um, and that was your hit. So how how's the process take us through what happens when you start with a song?

BC Jean

Um, well, well, for if I were a boy, it's uh, it was really a therapy session. Go through whatever you're going through in your life and I just happened to be going through a really bad breakup and um, I was in Times Square and I wanted to fit into my skinny jeans, but I really at the same time wanted pizza and popcorn and all the yummy stuff out there and I said to the producer I was working with, I wish I were a boy and he thought that was interesting and Men have to worry about wearing skinny jeans for obviously other reasons as well which we really don't have to carry. So trust me, it's not all um, brilliant on that side. I've been out here just working and writing with producers and uh writers and uh worked my way up to to Toby Gad, who then I wrote If I Were A Boy with. The moment I wrote that song, it pretty much is a song that changed my life. You know, I was shopping it to labels and next thing I know, Beyonce wants to sing it. Now Reba McEntire singing it and then Clive Davis wanted to sign me and I've been making my record and it's just been it's been a lot of work and I know it sounds like fantasy, but it's it's I do I'm very grateful and blessed for where I am, but it's a lot of work and I'm just excited it's finally come to this point where I can start doing shows and share with everybody what I've been working on.

Young Hollywood

Who were who were your inspirations for music?

BC Jean

My first record I ever bought with my babysitting money when I was 11 was Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt. Okay. Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette. Um, and then I had my pop phase. I loved my Britney Spears, my N*Sync, but then I go back to the classic rock. I'm into Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith, Queen, Janis Joplin, all that kind of stuff.

Young Hollywood

So you're all mixed up?

BC Jean

Yeah.

Young Hollywood

Which kind of your image has evolved as well, isn't it?

BC Jean

Yeah, this rocky every day It's a new thing. Hey, what's up? I'm BC Jean on Young Hollywood. Make sure to check out my single I'll Survive You. You can go to my website, BCJean. com. Follow me on Twitter, I will respond. Thanks so much.

Timestamps are approximate — click one to jump the player.

PEOPLE MENTIONED

  • Oliver Trevena

    Host of the interview

  • BC Jean

    Featured singer-songwriter

  • Toby Gad

    Co-writer of 'If I Were a Boy'

  • Beyoncé

    Recorded 'If I Were a Boy'

  • Reba McEntire

    Sang 'If I Were a Boy'

  • Clive Davis

    Signed BC Jean to a record deal

  • No Doubt

    One of BC Jean's first musical inspirations

  • Alanis Morissette

    Mentioned as a musical inspiration

  • Britney Spears

    Mentioned in BC Jean's pop phase

  • N*Sync

    Mentioned in BC Jean's pop phase

  • Led Zeppelin

    Mentioned as a classic rock inspiration

  • Janis Joplin

    Mentioned as a classic rock inspiration

FAQ

Who wrote 'If I Were a Boy'?+
BC Jean co-wrote 'If I Were a Boy' with producer Toby Gad.
Which artists have performed 'If I Were a Boy'?+
Beyoncé and Reba McEntire have performed 'If I Were a Boy'.
Who signed BC Jean to her record deal?+
Clive Davis signed BC Jean to her record deal after she wrote 'If I Were a Boy'.
What is BC Jean's current single?+
BC Jean's current single is titled 'I'll Survive You'.
What were some of BC Jean's musical inspirations?+
BC Jean's musical inspirations include No Doubt, Alanis Morissette, Britney Spears, N*Sync, Led Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith, Queen, and Janis Joplin.

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