Full of cookie-cutter pop stars and plenty of politics, the music industry is a hard business to survive in. But Christina Milian isn’t scared, because she is making the music she wants to make. And when the industry doesn’t see it her way, she just creates a different way. When her self-titled debut album got shelved in the States after the Sept. 11 tragedy, she took it overseas and got love over there. To ensure we weren’t sleeping on her in the States, she hit the silver screen with “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and “Torque.” She even wrote the theme for Disney’s “Kim Possible” cartoon. Now she’s the opening act for Usher and Kanye West on the Truth Tour. On the Chicago stop of the tour, she took a moment to talk about her current album, “It’s About Time,” and she even hipped us to her two upcoming movies, “Be Cool,” a sequel to “Get Shorty,” and “Man of the House,” with Tommy Lee Jones.

Q. What’s it like being on tour with Usher and Kanye West?

A. It’s been good. I am having a great time, the audience has been cool. Kanye and Usher have been really welcoming. My show is short, sweet, fun and energetic.

Q. A lot of people were surprised when they saw how sexy the “Dip It Low” video is with you rolling around in black paint. What kind of responses have you gotten?

A. People are shocked, and then there are people who come up and say, “Girl, I love that video!”

It’s more curiosity than controversy.

But at the end of the day those people who don’t like it wouldn’t have cared if I came out and I did my thing another way.

Q. There’s been a lot of drama over the way women are portrayed in music and videos, particularly hip-hop and R&B. How do you feel about the sexual exploitation of women in videos?

A. Sometimes they go too far, like the “Tip Drill” video.

When you watch them and you see the video girls, it seems like that is what the girls want to do. The whole groupie thing doesn’t last.

I wish they would have more respect for themselves. But if they are comfortable and that’s what they want, then go for yours.

Q. What inspires you?

A. I am inspired by entertainment, and I have a passion for it. The fact that I am actually able to pursue it inspires me every day. I am blessed to be in this position.

Q. On your album there is a song about your father leaving you and your mom, “Oh Daddy.” Was it tough to share that with the world?

A. It was hard to write. I wrote the record in the middle of the situation, while I was breaking down.

It was hard to decide if I should even release it because I wanted it for myself.

But I chose to share it because there are a lot of people in that position, and maybe it will send a message to those men and they will realize their child needs them.

It also shows the children and the single parents that you can make it through.

Q. What would you say to all of those young women out there who are trying to make it in the music industry?

A. I would tell them to stay focused. I knew I wanted to do this, so I didn’t go out to the club and party. I knew I had to practice singing and learn how to write. And you have to keep people around you that you can trust and be educated on the industry.

Q. What is your next album going to be like?

A. I want to do a lot more live instrumental stuff or something along the lines where people can vocally get to know me. I want to work with Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas and people like that.