How To Be The Backstreet Boys' Bud
You don't have to be the coolest, most popular person in your school to be best buds with the Backstreet Boys. Here, the funky five behind the hit single "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" tell you the unique qualities that they look for in thei friends.
Okay, let's get something straight. The Backstreet Boys may be mega-famous music stars, but that doesn't meant that all their friends are celebs, too. In fact, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson couldn't care less if their best buds are famous or not! When BB recently chatted with the babely Orlando, Florida-based bandmates, they told us that they still have the same friends they had before they became superstars in 1997 with their self-titled debut album.

Star status may not matter to the Backstreet Boys when they're looking for new best buds, but there are other special characteristics that do. For instance, Kevin, 26, values a friend whom he can always count on to tell it to him straight - not one who will tell white lies to avoid hurting his feelings when the truth may be painful. "You have to be really honest," he asserts. "That's the type of friend I am. I'm always honest and frank. Sometimes I may come across as harsh, but I'm just telling the truth."

This type of no-holds-barred honesty is something that Nick definitely wants from his friends, too. The 18-year-old babe tells BB that if there's one thing he can't stand, it's a friend who is too chicken to challenge him when he's doing something uncool or silly. "A good friend will tell you if you're doing this wrong things," Nick declares, adding that he thinks it's crucial for friends to be supportive, too. "A good friend is someone who will always listen to you and be there for your, no matter what."

Howie agrees. The 24-year-old performer's idea of a perfect friend is someone who will remain loyal and who won't let their friendship fade, no matter how many miles come between them through the years. "I have two true friends who, no matter if I'm home or not, I always know that we're still friends," shares Howie. "That's a very nice feeling. It's the best."

What's best to Brian, on the other hand, is a bud who knows how to look on the lighter side of life. Brian, 23, says that he doesn't want his friends to be "people who are just straight-up serious all the time. If you can't break down and laugh, enjoy the finer things in life and take it easy, that bothers me." That's why he looks for a friend with a fun-loving spirit. "You have to live life to the fullest and enjoy every day," says Brian.

However, more than anything else, Brian and his bandmates agree with AJ when he says that the best kinds of friends are those who are totally comfortable with themselves - in other words, people who don't put on acts and pretend to be cooler, smarter or bigger than they are. "I really don't like fake people," AJ, 20, emphasizes. "I think people who are real, not trying to be something that they're not, are cool."

So, if you're an honest, loyal and fun-loving Bopper who isn't afraid to let your true nature shine, take note. As far as the Backstreet Boys are concerned, you're ideal best bud material!

- BB

October 1998

backstreetgal@writeme.com
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