BACKSTREET HEARTBREAKS It's hard to imagine a time when Nick, Kevin, Howie, Brian and A.J.
weren't huge successes being totally idolized by girls around the world.
But there was a time when these cuties were the kind of regular guys
you might have spotted at the mall or drooled over in class--and they
had the same day-to-day hassles and heartbreaks as you!
With their way-romantic hit songs "As Long As you Love Me" and "Quit Playing Games
(With My Heart)" topping the charts, it would be easy to put Backstreet Boys babes Nick
Carter, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean on a superstar
pedestal. But you better believe that before they were household names, these five fab guys
were going through the same growing-up stuff that everybody does. And even though they're
way-cool now, it wasn't any easier for them than it was for anyone else.
Don't buy it? Well, Nick sure can set you straight. Even though he was as adorable in junior
high as he is now, he was completely dissed by his classmates. "I had a pretty hard time in
school," the beautiful 18-year-old tells BB. "I was doing a lot of acting and stuff like that and I
always had to leave school. All the kids would wonder why I left. I wasn't quite respected by
any of them because they were jealous." Ouch!
DISSED and DISMISSED
A.J. probably wouldn't have won any popularity contests either--with his schedule, he
wouldn't have had time to enter one! "I was doing a lot of musical theater and modeling and I
was in school as well," the 20-year-old babe recalls. "I was in regular school and I was in
FADA, which is the Florida Academy of Dramatic Arts. I did everything."
Even though A.J. was majorly busy, that didn't mean he didn't have the time to fall in love.
The only problem was, the girls he craved wouldn't give him the time of day! "It happened all
the time," A.J. groans. "Back in high school, I can think back on how there were a lot of girls
that I really liked that didn't want anything to do with me."
Of course, you know those gals are kicking themselves right now--and don't feel too bad for
A.J. On the bright side, going solo just meant the future superstar had a little more time to
practice his singing. You see, before he became a Backstreet Boy, A.J. was more interested in
moving to the music than singing to it. "I did the singing thing just to have something to fall
back on in case the dancing thing didn't work out," A.J. admits to BB. Sounds like it was a
good thing that when his chance to join the group came around, A.J. had spent more time
working on his back-up plan than he had dating!
A.J. isn't the only one who discovered it was easier to strut his stuff on stage than go
one-on-one with his classmates, Howie had his hard times in school, too. Even though he's an
outgoing guy nowadays, the Orlando, Florida native wasn't always that way. In fact, Howie
feels that part of the reason he was so shy as a kid was that he spent so much time performing,
he didn't have time to shape up his social skills! "I had kind of an awkward childhood," the
24-year-old hottie confesses. "I've been in the business since I was 6 years old, so my free
time, after swchool or during weekends or whatever, was always tied up doing auditions,
plays or voice lessons. I didn't really get into dating until my last couple of years of high
school."
all work and no play
Speaking of bummers, even when Howie wasn't performing or practicing, he still didn't get
much of a chance to slack. Like most other kids, he had to spend his time off from school
earning a paycheck. "I was working during the summertime at Universal Studios," he tells BB.
Of course, Howie wasn't the only future Backstreet Boy who was working for a living. Brian
had his fair share of jobs, too. "Ever since I was 15, I've been working," the
just-turned-23-year-old shares.
Even though blue-eyed Brian was just a teenager, the jobs he landed weren't necessarily easy
ones. "One of my first jobs was working at a church that I went to, organizing the sanctuary
when people would have weddings," he says. Not only would Brian set up the churhc and
make arrangements, but he would sing, too! Performing at a wedding is a big responsibility, so
it's no wonder that Brian's so cool and collected on stage these days. Sadly, not all of the jobs
Brian had let him show off his natural talents. Just before he joined the Backstreet Boys, Brian
groans, he was working "part-time at Long John Silvers."
If feeding folks fish sounds like hard work, though, listen to what Kevin almost found himself
doing after high school. "When I graduated from high school in Kentucky, I enlisted in the Air
Force," the 26-year-old remembers. Kevin, who had also worked at a fast-food restaurant and
even picked tobacco to make money, had dreams of becoming a pilot someday. But as luck
would have it, Kevin got involved with a local band in Kentucky just before he was supposed
to report for duty. The green-eyed babe was stuck with at ough decision--should he give the
band a chance or follow his flyboy dreams? "I asked the recruiter if I could get alittle more
time to see how the band was going to work out, and he said, 'No, you have to go now or you
don't go at all,'" Kevin recalls. Of course, you can guess what Keving said! "I was like, 'Fine.
Then I'm nog going to go, because I want to see how this works out,'" he shares. "This was
my number one love, music."
Even though the band didn't work out, it was Kevin's first step toward fame. And Kevin did
see some of his Air Force dreams come true--he travels all around the world and he's even
been able to take some flying lessons!
So, if you were wondering how all five of these swell guys could be so sincere and sweet,
just remember that they used to be just plain old regular Joes--they certainly do!
So who wants to know more about the BSB?
Look here... What's your idea of a good night in?
AJ: Sitting in front of a log fire with hot chocolate and marshmallows and some
mellow music playing. It'd be great if the moon was shining in, the lights were
low and it was cold outside.
Brian: I'd have one of those huge movie projectors in a big snuggly room
with a huge soft couch and bean bags all over the floor. I'd make dinner
downstairs with the lady of my choice, then we'd go upstairs and cuddle up and
watch a movie....
Nick: I'd be at my parents' home. I'd get in loads of food and play computers
all night with my brother or sister
What film would you cuddly up to?
AJ: Ghost. You just can't help but bawl, especially with the music - oww, man!
Brian: It'd have to be something real romantic. Maybe While You Were
Sleeping or Sleepless in Seattle. I'm very soft, you know!
Nick: I Love Trouble, with Julia Roberts. I'm not big into romantic films, but I
really enjoyed that one
What's your favourite outfit?
AJ: Silk pyjamas. I've only got one pair and they were in my suitcase which
just got lost. It's so annoying - half my clothes were in it!
What's the sweetest thing a girl's done for you?
Kevin: Probably the coolest thing was when I was really sick and this girl I
was dating rang her mum to get the recipe for chicken noodle soup. and she
made it for me from scratch - isn't that sweet?
Brian: A fan did something real cute for me. She bought a big white tie and
drew all the music notes and lyrics to I'll Never Break Your Heart all the way up
it in a spiral. It's awesome!
Howie: On my 18th, this girl I was seeing asked her parents if she could
have the house to herself and she invited all my friends around for a surprise
party. That was romantic.
What have you got to offer as a boyfriend?
Kevin: I'm an honest person, I don't play games, I say what's on my mind
and treat people with respect.
Brian: Nothing but a little love, caring, understanding and emotion.
Nick: Just me, myself. I'm a very ordinary, down to earth kinda guy and I
hope that's all my girl would need.
How often do you need a hug?
AJ: As often as I can get one! For me it's even better than a kiss.
Kevin: I could use a hug every day, but I'm not likely to get it! It's something
I really miss. We get a lot of attention, but not a lot of affection physically.
Nick: Every day. I get a lot of hugs from fans and the guys, but I don't get a
proper hug every day - I wish I did!
Howie: I love hugs and kisses. I think it's because I grew up in a big family.
Even now I grab my mum and give her kisses all over her cheeks and she's like
"Oh Howard, pleeeease!" When I'm with a girl, I lover her to give me hugs - it
really touches my heart.
Who would you cry in front of?
Kevin: I cry in movie theatres all the time. I get that from my grandfather -
we're a real sentimental family. Brian's like that as well. When we got our first
gold recordm we bawled like babies!
Nick: I'm not embarrassed about crying, but I'd try not to bawl in front of just
anybody. I'd feel most relaxed crying in front of my mum or the guys.
Howie: For me crying is something I'm pretty open about. It's just a way of
expressing your feelings. Recently my gran passed away and my whole family
was crying together.
Is it possible to be just good friends with a girl?
AJ: Ah-hah...I've got a lot of close girl friends - in fact I've got more girl
friends than boy friends. I get along cool with guys, but they're more into that
sport/male thing. I'm too, but I'm also into shopping, buying phat clothes and
stuff.
Nick: Yeah. I meet a lot of girls when we're travelling and I make friends
with some. Then when we go back to that country I call them up for a chat!
Kevin: I think it's hard because we're travelling so much - it's hard to tell if
some people are real friends or not.
