April 13, 2007 15:10

Macy Gray 'forced' to work with Timberlake

Singer reveals the reason she had star guest on new album

Macy Gray admits she only collaborated with Justin Timberlake on her new album because she was “forced to”.

The singer, who has been working on her record ‘Big’ for the past two years, originally wanted to work exclusively with hip-hop uber-producer will.i.am, but his work with Black Eyed Peas had to take priority.

And despite a string of pop luminaries lining up to duet with Gray, including Fergie, Natalie Cole and Timberlake himself, she confesses it “wasn’t in the original plan”.

“Will and I were doing my album, then he got really, really busy with the Black Eyed Peas touring,” she explained. “Then he got really in demand as a producer and had a lot of opportunities he didn't want to turn down.

“So I was kind of forced to work with other people because he was so busy.

“That is how I ended up going to the studio with Justin, it wasn't in the original plan but it worked out great.”

Gray’s new album ‘Big’ is out now. Her new single ‘Finally Made Me Happy’ is out on April 16.