All these are taken from the magazines BOP and BB.
Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter recently confessed to us that he and Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, A.J. McLean and Kevin Richardson are thinking about beginning solo careers sometime in the future. "We might want to take some time to do some solo stuff," reveals Nick. Uh-oh, does that mean the Orlando, Florida-based bandmates are breaking up? No way, says Nick. "We've thought about this before, but no matter what happens, if some of us take some time off, we'll always come back together and be the Backstreet Boys," he reassures us. Phew! That's a relief.
Instead of A.J., Howie, Brian, and Kevin, Nick Carter's woukmates could easily have been J.C. Chasez, Ricky Luna and the rest of the MMCers. You see, at the same time Nick was auditioning for the Backstreet Boys, MMC offered him a contract for their show. Though deciding which route to take was difficult at the time, Nick says that now her couldn't be happier with his decidion. "[Being with the Backstreet Boys] has been more of an experience for me because of the fact that we get to trave and go on a bus," he told us. "WIth the Mickey Mouse Club, I would have been stuck in one area and just do shows. This is much more of an adventure."
The Backstreet Boys have a surprise for you! Nick, Brian, A.J., Kevin, and Howie have all been wrking on writing their own sensational, soulful songs for their upcoming album.
Do the Backstreet Boys babes have a special song they like to sing on stage? "I like 'As Long As You Love Me,'" says Nick Carter. Kevin agrees: "[It's} just something that really touches me--that makes it a special song."
It sounds like the Backstreet Boys may have something for everyone--around the world! Ever since Brian, 23, Nick, 18, A.J., 20, Kevin, 26, amd Howie, 24, recorded their sweet single "I'll Never Break Your Heart" in Spanish this year, the babes have been bombarded with requests. "We've been offered and asked to do things in Asian, Dutch, German and whatever language you can think of," A.J. said while BOP was on the set of the English- and Spanish-language video shoot. "It's cool because it's kind of a challenge for us, it's something different. It allows the fans in that country to have a little something from us that's kind of a real personal thing." That's so sweet!
Talk about going to painstaking lengths to get what you want, check out how Backstreet Boys' A.J. McLean, 20, experienced hes very first childhood kiss. "I kissed a girl named Heather through a chain-linked fence," he tells BOP. Well, it goes to show you how romantic this "I'll Never Break Your Heart" contributor can be. He won't let anything stand in his way with true love, not even tons of metal!
So what were Nick Carterand his singing sib, Aaron Carter, doing in Los Angeles, California just before the launch of their summer tours? Indulging in family time? Hardly. The busy brothers, ages 18 and 10, were both at work on new music videos--for separate songs--and on the same day no less! While Florida-based Nick and Backstreet Boys buds Kevin Richardson, A.J. McLean, Brian Littrell, and Howie Dorough were at work on their latest for "I'll Never Break Your Heart," baby bro Aaron was catchin' a wave in Malibu for his "Surfin' U.S.A." video!
Kevin Richardson often gets a hankering for his mom's cooking. The 26-year-old Backstreet Boys cutie tells BOP that even after dining in four-star restaurants all over the world, his fave foods are still the mouth-watering treats that his mom, Ann, bakes back home in her Lexington, Kentucky kitchen. "Man, I sure do love my mom's homemade biscuits and gravy," says Kevin, whom you've heard grooving to the singles "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" with bandmates Nick, Howie, Brian, and A.J.
BB's Carrie and Leesa recently had VIP access to the Los Angeles, California set of the Backstreet Boys' latest video for "I'll Never Break Your Heart," a romantic ballad from their 1997 self-titled CD. Despite how busy they were while giving their best to the camera, they were all really happy to see that the girls were able to make it and greeted them both with hugs. Don't you wish you were there?
BB's Carrie and I recently hooked up with our friends Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, A.J. McLean, and Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys to watch their "I'll Never Break your Heart" video shoot. The Orlando, Florida-based boys were super sweet to us.
Hey, I just found out something about A.J. McLean that none of his fans know. The 20-year-old member of the Backstreet Boys recently confessed to BOP that he has a secret talent for making an incredibly yummy Italian dinner. "I make some wicked spaghetti," reveals A.J., whom you've probably heard jamming on the raid to the single "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" with bandmates Nick Carter, 18, Howie Dorough, 24, Brian Littrell, 23, and Kevin Richardson, 26. "I make everything from scrath. I've even made the noodles! What I do is, I go out and buy all the bare necessities, add a tough of hervs and spices, which add a really good taste to it." Mmmm...sounds scrumptious!
Well, if you have the best time listening to the Backstreet Boys harmonizing on singles like "As Long As You Love Me," you've got something in common with the Spice Girls, those Bristish popsters behind the hit single "Too Much." It turns out that they're serious fans of the Orlando, Florida-based bandmates--Nick, Howie, Brian, A.J. and Kevin--who hit it big last year with their self-titled R&B album. "It's kind of weird," Howie tells BB. "[Our album] came out in England before theirs, and we did a show together. When we first met them at the show, they said they were fans of ours. I think we've met them about four or five times now. They're really cool!" Hmmm...sounds like the Backstreet Boys are fans of the Spice Girls!
Because of the devastating tornado that swept through the Orlando, Florida area earlier this spring, Florida's very own Backstreet Boys--Kevin, Brian, Howie, A.J., and Nickalong with the boys of 'N Sync--Joey, CHris, Justin, Lance, and JC--put on a benefir concert on March 15 outside the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, raising over $245,000 in relief funds! What's cooler than that?
NICK CARTER,KEVIN RICHARDSON,A.J. McLEAN, BRIAN LITTRELL and HOWIE DOROUGH of the BACKSTREET BOYS are heading home in May to treat Orlando, Florida high-school seniors to free shows (featuring such heart-stoppers like "As Long As You Love Me") when the Disney World amusement park closes to the public for several nights to honor local grands. What a treat!
Hey, here's some brand-new info about NICK CARTER, HOWIE DOROUGH, BRIAN LITTRELL, A.J. McLEAN, and KEVIN RICHARDSON of the BACKSTREET BOYS that's definitely going to thrill all you BSB fans. The Orlando, Florida based boys are already gearing up to record a follow-up CD to last year's self-titled debut album! "We're looking forward to number two, the second album," Brian confides to BOP. "We have some songs already prepared for it." However, Brian adds that he and his bandmates are busy touring now, so it may be a while before they get around to recording that second album...
IT was a day to remember for the BACKSTREET BOYS at the recent American Music Awards ceremony when singers HOWIE, A.J., NICK, KEVIN, AND BRIAN all stood on stage while they handed the Best Soul, Rhythm and Blues Group Award to their predecessors and idols, BOYS II MEN. WHat a sweet moment it was seeing them all together, especially knowing that it was the initial success of NATHAN MORRIS, WANYA MORRIS, SHAWN STOCKMAN, and MICHAEL McCARY, that encouraged the "As Long As You Love Me" quintet to strive for their own!
Speaking of giving gifts, the BACKSTREET BOYS have traveled the world singing such songs as "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" and the current "As Long As You Love Me" from their 1997 self-titled debut album. Though KEVIN RICHARDSON, BRIAN LITTRELL, A.J. McLEAN, HOWIE DOROUGH, and NICK CARTER don't have much free time as they jet from country to country, Howie always makes it a point to buy his mom any elephant-related souvenirs. "My mom, her favorite thing in the world is the elephant-she loves elephants," Howie tells BOP. "So every country we go to, I always buy her an elephant." His most recent elephant purchase? "I got my mom an elephant water fountain," says Howie, who had it installed in his mother's backyard. What a sweet son!
BACKSTREET BOYS' NICK CARTER tells BOP that he loves going out on the ocean when he wants to get away from it all. "The peacefulness that is out there," Nick, 18, explains of his ocean attraction. "You go out on a boat by yourself, you hear the water, the wind is blowing and it's fresh air. It's kind of like a therapy for me..."
KEVIN RICHARDSON of the R&B band BACKSTREET BOYS, think the latest football games are the coolest thing on TV these days. "I love football," Kevin, who harmonizes with bandmates NICK CARTER, HOWIE DOROUGH, BRIAN LITTRELL, and A.J. McLEAN on the single "As Long As You Love Me" recently confided to BOP. "I've grown up playing it since I was 7. I've played linebacker and fullback and I did all the kicks, too."...
If you're majorly jealous of Carrie and Kristin's hang-time with Hanson, get this: They also did some major bonding with the BACKSTREET BOYS while they were in the Windy City, since both fabulous bands were in town to play at the same concert. By chance, the gals were lucky enough to be staying in the same hotel as KEVIN RICHARDSON, BRIAN LITTRELL, NICK CARTER, HOWIE DOROUGH, A.J. McLEAN, and they kept bumping into the cuties! Carrie even snagged a solo elevator ride with Kevin, who filled her in on all the latest with the band. The guys revealed that they were way-psyched to be performing a half-hour set in Chicago, and they all gave Carrie and Kristin big hello hugs backstage at the show. Sigh!....
Those babelicious singers behind the hit single "As Long As You Love Me," the BACKSTREET BOYS, tell us they definitely don't feel like they're competing with Hanson for airtime on the radio. "Backstreet Boys are Backstreet Boys, and Hanson is Hanson," A.J. McLEAN tells us, speaking for bandmates NICK CARTER, HOWIE DOROUGH, BRIAN LITTRELL and KEVIN RICHARDSON. "We all have our unique qualities and we're all very talented. We wish everyone a lot of luck." Talk about sweetness!...
The other Orlando-based group, the BACKSTREET BOYS, might also be doing a Spice Girls thang. No, not giving themselves Spice names, but the band might be acting together! When the boys--whose new single, "As Long As You Love Me," is quickly climbing the charts--stopped by BOP offices recently, A.J. McLEAN told us that the band, which also includes members HOWIE DOROUGH, NICK CARTER, KEVIN RICHARDSON and BRIAN LITTRELL, is in negotiations with the film and television company Columbia Tri-Stars for a possible series. Nothing is set right now, but A.J. did give us some insights as to what it might be about. "It would be a show about guys in the business, showing the realism of what goes on behind the scenes because it's not all just fun and games," A.J. tells me. He adds that the show wouldn't necessarily be about the Backstreet Boys, but the guys would certainly play five guys who sing in a band. The style, A.J. explains, would be "something along the lines of MTV's The Real World meets Friends. It would be serious, as well as funny." We'll deep you posted on any updates!
A basketball, not Legos, would be the thing for BRIAN LITTRELL of the BACKSTREET BOYS. He plays basketball like a crazed maniac, say band members KEVIN RICHARDSON, NICK CARTER, HOWIE DOROUGH and A.J. McLEAN. Which is why these singers of the smash-hit song "QPG" have nicknamed Brian B-Rock." "Rock is another name for basketball, and Brian's a basketball fanatic," says Kevin. As far as the group's name goes, Kevin says it comes form the Backstreet Market in Orlando, Florida. "It's a flea market, and when it's not a flea market, it's a big parking lot where people hang out," Kevin's explained. But in the years he was busy with the band, the parking lot underwent a few changes. "Now they've built a new building on the lot," he's said, realizing what happened while he was away. "The Backstreet Market no longer exists." Don't be sad, Kev. The Backstreet Boys' musical success is keeping its memory alive and well.
Before they go out on stage, many bands get together and do something to help them prepare for their performance. The five Orlando, Florida-based bandmates in BACKSTREET BOYS, for instance, form a circle and say a prayer.
HOWIE DOROUGH of the BACKSTREET BOYS tells BOP he loves watching old documentaries on the legendary music group THE BEATLES and noting how their success has progressed from their early years together to today. "It's so intriguing to me," says the 24-year-old, who along with his bandmates, KEVIN RICHARDSON, 24, BRIAN LITTRELL,22, A.J. McLEAN, 19, and NICK CARTER, 17, sing the song "QPG" from their self-titled CD. "I wouldn't mind, in a couple of years having a documentary written on us," Howie continues. "Like on our lives, how we got together, and how it's taken off." As any BsB fan knows that would be one helluva story!
Think being a superstar means living a life of luxury? Well, kind of. The BACKSTREET BOYS told me that they all carry very spiffy mini cellular phones with them so they're never out of touch for a second. But the catch is, even though the phones were a gift from management, the boys still have to pay their own bills! Sigh...
"FAME can be scary sometimes," the Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell tells BB. It gets so scary, in fact, the band's recent performance at Mostenses Plaza in Madrid, Spain was canceled at the last minute because police feared for the band's safety after seeing the number of crazed fans packed into the plaza. Yikes!
