Former New Kids On The Block member JORDAN KNIGHT is revving up for his new career as a solo artist! The sexy musician took time from filming his latest video to chat with us about his life and goals.

ET: How would you describe your personal style? Are you a clothes guy?

Jordan Knight: As far as clothes, I like simple, elegant, not too dressy, not too street. In the middle.

ET: Has your style changed much since you were in New Kids On The Block?

Jordan: I'm probably a little less cheesy (laughs).

ET: Tell me a little about your solo album. How is it different from being in the group?

Jordan: I have more control of everything. I get to pick what I wear. As for the music, I can pick the sounds and write the songs without the producers. I just have a lot more control in the whole process really.

ET: How would you describe your sound now?

Jordan: It's a mixture of a lot of things. There's R&B, there's alternative, hip hop, classic rock 'n' roll. There are all kinds of music jumbled into one sound.

ET: Do you feel any pressure on your solo venture to try to duplicate your success with New Kids?

Jordan: Not really to duplicate the success of the New Kids. I've always had a vision in my mind how successful I'd be as a solo artist, and I'm trying to duplicate that.

ET: Why is this now the right time for you?

Jordan: I don't know. I just kind of evolved in the studio, as far as my voice. Everything kind of came together with the material. And now is the right time.

ET: When you see the hysteria that surrounds groups like 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys, does that bring you back to the time when New Kids were the "it" band? Do you feel happy for them, or do you think, "Oh, gosh, I know what they're going through!"?

Jordan: I'm happy for them, and I do think, "Oh, gosh, I know what they're going through!" It's great what they're doing. I was in the studio a long time ago with the Backstreet Boys when they were just starting out. It took them something like two and half years to get where they are now. It's good to see them get going and doing what they're doing.

ET: Do you stay in touch with the other members of the New Kids?

Jordan: Yes. I was at DONNIE [WAHLBERG] 's house the other day for dinner.

ET: Are you confident that you still have the fan base from your earlier success? Do you think they've grown up with you?

Jordan: I don't really know. We'll see, I guess, when the album comes out. I have a web site, and I get around 2000 or more hits every week on the site. So a lot of fans have stuck with me from all over the world, and that's really cool to see.

February 17, 1999