Romeo, last name Miller, and widely know in the past as Lil Romeo is not only one of the most successful teenagers in the industry today, he’s also one of the most inspirational. Concerned with his image for all the right reasons, Romeo is sure to be setting a good example for both his many brothers and sisters, and his fans. While he’ll play basketball for UNC, Romeo is equally focused on his degree and schoolwork. Don’t expect school to slow him down too much; he’s still working on book, TV, and music projects!

THE STAR SCOOP:

Tell us about the projects you’re working on, and what’s going on in your life right now.

ROMEO:

Yeah, well right now, I’ve got a lot of different projects, pitching off from the business side of it, to the acting side, to the music side, and even to playing ball. I just got a scholarship to USC to play there next year. I’m in the top 25 players in the nation. The new album, “The Gumbo Station,” which should be out in April, been putting the finishing touches on that. Got a new book, which comes out the beginning of next year, it’s [about] guarantees for successful teens. It’s just a book I wanted to do for the kids because I have a lot of brothers and sisters and I know there’s a lot of kids who look up to me, so I wanted to feed them my knowledge, hopefully save a few lives, help a few lives out there. I’ve got three movies in the works right now. One is a scary movie I’m filming, I start next month. Then this other one’s called, Mamma’s Helpers, with producers from 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. Then, we have another one, Sweetwater. I’m just trying to maintain everything, just stay focused and get it all done.

THE STAR SCOOP:

How do you manage all of this at once?

ROMEO:

You know, it’s funny that you say that, because my dad called me Super Baby, ’cause I’m really good with putting everything in perspective. I’m really good at time and everything else. With my school work, with basketball, with music, I just find the way to do it. God just blessed me with talent, and everything I do just comes very easily to me, and I just feel really blessed.

THE STAR SCOOP:

You’ve been in this business a long time, and you’ve been really successful. What’s helped you stay grounded?

ROMEO:

I have to say definitely my parents. My mom and dad just always being there for me. You got a lot of kid actors and rappers out there who get famous and they start making a lot of money and the parents start taking advantage of them. But my dad, just him being Master P, just seeing everything he’s seen, he didn’t want to follow the guidelines of the average parent of a celebrity child. And then I’d have to say, definitely going to school, me being in school while I was still in the music industry and everything really kept me grounded because a lot of kids really jump into acting or music and they forget about their childhood. I really feel that school is like the real world, just in a little bubble; it’s preparing you for everything out there. And my fans, my fans are always there for me. I do this for them.

THE STAR SCOOP:

You’ve mentioned your family already so many times. How has coming from such a big family impacted you?

ROMEO:

Having a big family just in general, being the oldest of seven kids, it was always installed in my head that I had to be a role model no matter what I did.

THE STAR SCOOP:

You’ve talked about being a role model. Who is yours?

ROMEO:

My dad, him just going through everything he’s been through. his whole life story, his whole struggle. One of the reasons I’ve worked out so hard is because he always had a dream of going to the NBA, and he had a knee injury, which he wasn’t able to do that, that’s why he became a rapper. Hopefully I’ll be able to make that dream come true, and he can see it through me.

THE STAR SCOOP:

You’re so successful already. A lot of people might think you don’t even need to go to college. But it’s so great that you are. What was important about college for you?

ROMEO:

Well, for me, I just look at life a lot different from a lot of people. I look for the long term goal. Me going to college is a really great example, it’s something that these kids really need to look up to. I know when I have people I look up to, when they do something positive, it’s a huge impact on me. I just wanted to do something to show the kids that it’s okay to go to school, it’s okay to go learn. I definitely feel that knowledge is the wealthiest thing to have. Money just comes and goes, but if you have knowledge, you can accomplish anything. I just wanted to send that message to the kids, and with me being an example, I think it will help.

THE STAR SCOOP:

You’re involved in so many projects. What do you get out of each of the different aspects of entertainment?

ROMEO:

I have to say happiness. Everything I do makes me happy. Like I said, just being a role model to the kids. I’m an idealist. I’m not a realist. I really feel that I’m one of those people that puts no limits on myself. If you want to be a doctor, you can be a doctor. If you want to be a doctor, and you want to be an astronaut, you could be that. It just depends if you all put the work in. If you put the work in, then anything’s possible.

THE STAR SCOOP:

With the amount of work you do, do you ever feel it’s too much, like you want to take a break?

ROMEO:

Anybody who’s in the business, they always say they had those points where they always felt like this is too much. I’ve definitely been at those times. I’m a regular human being, just like all the kids. I remember when I first started, I was like 11 years old, I was in France, just from day to night I’d do interviews, interview and eat, interview and eat. It was something I wasn’t really used to. It was one of those things you have adjust to, but if you want to be successful, you’ve got to do it. You only live once?

THE STAR SCOOP:

What is one of the most important things you’ve learned just from being in the business for so long?

ROMEO:

I learned, actually a couple of things. Always have fun. Just having fun, it takes you a long way. A lot of people are going to try and pressure you to do things that you’re not comfortable with, but if you’re having fun, doing what you love, everything is going to take off. Patience is the key to success. I’m one of those people, I just relax and chill, as time goes on, time will tell if you’re putting in the work..Determination, believing in the man up above. Anybody out there who’s successful, you know, didn’t come like that, so be patient. Your time will definitely come when it’s that time. Just be ready for it.

THE STAR SCOOP:

Can you tell us more about the movie roles you’re working on?

ROMEO:

Yeah, well actually, one moving, I’m shooting, this scary movie, it’s crazy. It’s a really scary movie. My dad’s one of the producers. It’s going to be something really spooky. If you’re scared of Freddie, Halloween, I don’t think you want to see this movie, because it’s going to be crazy. Other than that, I’m working on a new musical, too. I finished a movie, which is a football movie, I’m kind of like this star athlete player who got hurt, and I end up coaching. I’m just trying to make good movies, and make people laugh, make them cry, and make them jump. So, I’m just trying to do everything/

THE STAR SCOOP:

You’re a musician. But what artists are you listening to?

ROMEO:

I listen to Hannah Montana [laughs]. You know, I’ve got a lot of brothers and sisters, from two to 13, so Miley Cyrus is in my home every day with the little kids. I’m just a real positive person. I love listening to positive music and people that have a good head on their shoulders. Alicia Keys, Timbaland, and Kanye.

THE STAR SCOOP:

As far as your personal music goes, how much are you involved?

ROMEO:

I’ve been writing songs since I was 11; that was one of the talents I was blessed with. So everything you hear from me, I write, and I write music for other people, too. I’m just one of those people, I get in the studio, and I can make like eight to ten songs within five hours. It just comes off my head and I just lay it down, 100 percent. I turn off all the lights, I like it pitch black for some reason, I just like to listen to the music, and then it just comes from there. I get that vibe and everything. I just turn the lights off and go into a whole other world.

THE STAR SCOOP:

You mentioned that you’ll play basketball at USC. Do you have any goals for this aspect of your career while you’re playing at USC?

ROMEO:

While I’m going to USC, I really want to be the best student/athlete I could be. A lot of people forget I’m going to college, too. I’m not just playing basketball. I’m definitely going to get my education. I’m one of those people, when an obstacle is thrown at me, I want to get over it. I’m going to go, be the best athlete I can be, and the best student at the same time…I’ll probably major in film and minor in business, one or the other. Hopefully these kids out there really learn from me and want to follow in my footsteps.

THE STAR SCOOP:

Do you ever get to a point where you wonder, what more is there I can do?

ROMEO:

As it goes by, you realize more opportunities, and different opportunities come along the way. I have to say the sky’s the limit, you know? There’s a million things. I might be a doctor one day, you never know. The opportunity is always out there, I’m just one of those people who want to go grab it.

THE STAR SCOOP:

Is there any other message you want to give to your fans?

ROMEO:

I just want to tell my fans, never take nothing for granted. You only live once. I lost actually two of my first cousins, when we were 13 or 14. I lost them, and that’s why I’m so determined, and so focused. It was right in front of my face, and I’ve really seen that life is really short, so take advantage and just respect your elders, and have fun with whatever you’re doing.

THE STAR SCOOP:

You can learn more about Romeo at www.myspace.com/romeo.