Have to say I'm rather amazed and bemused at the replies my comment about looking into anothers' eyes is generating. I've been in seven countries and in some really rough, kill you dead, areas and have never experienced a problem because I looked someone directly in the eye. Admittedly, in one of those countries, I was armed to the teeth, so that one might not count. Likewise, I live in Florida now and have never encountered a single problem.
Plus it's not like she's some wilting lily. The woman gets up onstage in front of thousands to sing her songs, so one would think/hope that she would be able to muster the strength to look an interviewer in the eye.
The shy excuse doesn't cut it for me.