Blender’s Heat-Seeking, Sweat-Dripping, Pool-Hopping Summer Music Blowout

Ciara
The R&B temptress would love to go to the nude beach! … Oh, wait, she just misunderstood our question. Damn.

We’re at a barbecue and your new CD comes on—what happens? It’s a great barbecue record.
There are going to be moments when you’re dancing and grooving and times to sit down and drink some lemonade. And there are slow jams for some of that hugging and stuff—to bring the people together.

Ever been rescued by a lifeguard?
No, but when I was younger my friends and I were playing at the pool and it turned into a disaster. I was bending over and my friends had to jump over my back. One hit me, and I went in the pool with him. I scraped my arm and my knee. Those scars live with me forever.

We’re at the ice-cream truck—What are you licking?
Push Pops—they’re classic, like sherbet-on-a-stick.

Do you like drinks with umbrellas?
I don’t drink. But I had a Malibu for my 21st birthday, and the other night I was out at a party in London and I had a Malibu, too. I ended up talking excessively, for no reason—
and I’d only had like three or four sips from the glass. I was like, I’m not drinking anything again.

What sport would you like to see added to the summer Olympics?
Cheerleading would be an amazing sport to see. I did varsity cheerleading in high school. I was a base—we would throw or hold the girls in the air. I went to camp for cheerleading; I was experimenting and had some people put me up in the air as a flier. I thought I was so bold, but I was thrown so high that I freaked out.

Ever gotten lucky in a jacuzzi?
How, like I found some money in there? [Laughs] No.

What’s the worst summer job you’ve ever had?
I’ve never really had a job. But when I was 15 or 16, I did work in the baseball stadium, serving hot dogs and stuff. The guys were flirtatious—some wanted to get your number or they tried to leave their numbers. They’d come back again and again. They’d buy their meals in pieces: a drink here, a hot dog here and popcorn there.

We’re going to a nude beach. Are you coming with us?
Yeah, I would love to go! … Oh, a nude beach. I thought you said “new beach.” I don’t know if I could walk around everyone totally bare. I’ll never say never, but as of now I’m not necessarily interested.

Ciara’s Fantasy Ride is out in late August.