Ciara Harris enjoys her No. 1 single

NEW YORK — First there was cheerleading and cross-country running. Then there was a three-girl group. Now Ciara Harris is getting a chance to shine as a solo artist.

The 18-year-old from Atlanta, who graduated from high school in 2003, has a No. 1 single with "Goodies," featuring Petey Pablo. She's capitalizing on the "crunk" hip-hop phenomenon by combining it with R&B, like Usher did with his smash "Yeah!"

Three years ago, when Ciara decide to try singing, she joined a girl group called Heresay. The trio was close to a record deal, but the girls didn't get along and the deal fell apart.

The group's manager, however, brought Ciara to Atlanta producer Jazze Pha (pronounced Jazzy Fay), who has worked with stars like Aaliyah, Angie Stone and Ruben Studdard. She was signed by La Face/Zomba records and her first album, "Goodies," was released last week.

AP: 'Crunk & B' . . . what is it?

Harris It's when you take R&B and mix with crunk music. Crunk is a whole lot of energy. I call it the heavy metal of hip-hop, and it came from Atlanta, so you know it has an energy about it that's special.

AP: How'd you end up doing this kind of music?

Harris Jazze Pha, my producer, came up with some of the beats and we worked together. Lil' Jon, the crunkmaster, produced 'Goodies.' I co-wrote a lot of the songs. When the beat goes on, I let it hit me and then I think about what I want to say, and there it is.

AP: Do you think you started a new music genre?

Harris Well, I definitely believe being the first to do this type of record is setting a trend. I don't know about the rest, we'll see.

AP: You're dressed pretty slinky on the inside cover photo. Do you have to be sexy now to be a popular artist?

Harris I think image is a big part of your career. It's very important. I don't think it should be the main focus though. I think the music industry as a whole is really focused on APpearance. A lot of times people can be very talented, but if you don't have the right image, you're not going to get the deal. There's so much more involved than being able to sing.

AP: So do you feel like you have to maintain an image?

Harris Well, even before I signed the deal I always tried to carry myself a certain way, and keep myself together. I'd say 'I can't eat too much' or 'I'm not going to wear that,' and that's the way I want to look after myself.

AP: Do you feel like you got lucky?