On tour with Britney 

First, a note about some current teenage gossip. 

Singing sensation Britney Spears isn’t likely to be the girlfriend of England’s Prince William anytime soon.

That’s the word from St. Louisan Natalie DeLucia, one of the two backup singers for Britney on her current “Oops, I Did It Again” tour. Britney, Natalie and the group played Riverport Theater on Sunday, July 16. 

Natalie said told Young Saint Louis.com.: “They’ve never even met or talked on the phone. When Britney heard that Prince William was a fan, she autographed a couple pictures and sent them to him. That’s all there was.” 

Eighteen-year-old Natalie got her chance to join the Spears entourage because of a friendship that started several years ago. 

Natalie said, “Britney and I have known each other since we were 10 so we have a lot in common. I used to perform in talent competitions for Cinderella pageants with her best friend from back home. 

“Of course, she and I also were among the final 24 who were chosen to screen test for the new Mickey Mouse Club show.”

Last year, Natalie got a call asking if she’d like to be a backup singer for Spears’ 1999 “Baby, One More Time” tour. She’s been on the road with Britney pretty much ever since. 

The St. Louis stop was part of the current U.S. tour which will run until September. Then, after a short break, they will be on a European tour from October through mid-November. 

Natalie is the daughter of Joe and Patti DeLucia of St. Louis. She’s been singing and dancing since she was 4. Natalie was the regular national anthem singer for the St. Louis Blues hockey team at age 8. 

Her professional career started when she was 10. She had the role of Addie Loggins in the off-Broadway stage play, “Paper Moon.” That play was adapted from the movie of the same name with Ryan and Tatum O’Neal in the featured roles. 

While Natalie is enjoying touring with Britney, she’s hoping to have a solo career of her own. 

She said, “I had solo aspirations before I even met Britney. Those aspirations have increased especially now that I’ve been on the world tour.” 

Natalie is being a little secretive about her future hopes. She is in the process of creating a demonstration tape but won’t say what it will include. 

But, she did say she likes music a “little edgier” than the pop music Britney uses. “I like music that is bluesy, jazzy and funky,” Natalie said. 

When asked about what it takes to become a star, Natalie said, “It’s mostly confidence and believing in yourself. You have to feel that, if you put your mind to it, you can do it.” 

Asked about the touring schedule, Natalie said, “We usually do the same thing every day. If we don’t leave right after the show the night before, we wake up at the hotel, shower, pack, eat breakfast and get on the bus by 7:30 a.m.

“We drive to the next city and go to the performance venue for a sound check about 4 p.m. Then, I hang out with Britney and the dancers. We usually eat dinner at the venue. 

“We have a lock-down from 7 to 8:30 p.m. when noone can leave the dressing room area. When the show’s over, we either drive to the hotel or get on the bus and drive to the next city.” 

But, every once in awhile, the cast gets a day or so off.

Natalie told of one time recently they were in Tampa, Fla., and had a break in the schedule. “Britney called me and T.J., one of the dancers, and asked if we’d want to go to Orlando,” Natalie said. 

“We all went out dancing that night. We kept a low profile. Of course, it’s not easy when you’re in the middle of three big body guards. Don’t get me wrong, Britney certainly draws attention. 

“But, everyone was pretty much like just letting her do her thing. That weekend, we all had the best time because we did something spontaneous and broke the normal routine. And we were together with people we enjoyed being with.”