Screaming girls, jet-set lift-styles and mass popularity all go along with being a member of a world-renowned quintet like the Backstreet Boys. But the otherwise down-home boys from Florida, A.J. McLean, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough, tell BB that between the mayhem and the flying objects they endure on some occasions - and the mischief they cause themselves - things can get kind of rough!
While they've all taken their share of lumps and bumps in the line of duty, the Backstreet Boys are quick to agree that it's all worth it to keep giving you songs like "All I Have To Give," "I'll Never Break Your Heart" and "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" from their 1997 self-titled album. "We haven't really had our clothes ripped off or anything to that extreme," body-shakin' A.J. says of the fandemonium. "But, I mean, we've gotten our hair pulled and we've gotten our foot ran over, like me." Ouch! "Nobody's gotten really badly hurt, thank God," the 20-year-old tattooed songster continues. "Hopefully nobody will."
Another hazard that befalls these five superhotties is the constant rain of projectile objects that jettison from passing cards and hotel windows almost anywhere their fans gather to see them. And just what kinds of treasure do the boys get bombarded with? "Marcaroni and cheese boxes, Beanie Babies, jewelry," smiley Brian, 23, has laughed.
Those random items may seem odd to the uninitiated, but those of you who really know the Backstreet Boys know that these are a few of their favorit ethings. However, flying gifts from fans are not where the real danger lies: It seems a certain 18-year-old, blond Backstreet Boys is good at making things go awry.
trouble in the house
Despite random accidents, clear and present danger is never imminent, unless, of course, on of the Backstreet Boys falls victim to one of naughty Nick's practical jokes. "When I was a lot younger I used to pick on the guys a lot," Nick's confessed. "I used to buy pranks and stuff at Spencer's [a national giftstore chain]. But, I mean, I've grown up just little."
Well, Nick may be older, but he's still a part-time prankster. "I've still got that in me," he has smirked. However, 27-year-old Kevin adds that they've given Nick a taste of his own medicine, even though Nick's a slippery one to trick. It takes time to catch Nick off guard, Kev says, but they do get him back "every once in awhile."
For the most part, retaliation has cured Nick of his devilish ways, particularly one prank pulledon him by Howie. "I eat a lot of hot food and one day I got him back," Howie, 25, has divulged. "When we were over in Europe I told him, 'Yeah try this, it's not that hot.' I said, 'Just take a little bite,' and all of a suddent we were around all these girls that were opening up for us and he had like hot splotches all over him!"
Out of all the groupmates, somehow senior Backstreet babe Kevin manages to avoid getting caught up in the ping-pong pranking. This is probably because he steers clear of the guys when they have downtime, since this is when there tends to be mischief in the air. "I like to check out the club scene, hit the beach, relax at home," says Kentucky-born Kevin.
safety first
As everyone knows, accidents can happen wherever you are, but for the most part, it's all about being careful, especially around things like the fiery pyrotechnics used for the special effects in some of the Backstreet Boys' exciting live shows. Just ask Howie, who has had a few brushes with scariness while performing. "[Once] I bowed after 'We've Got It Goin' On' and a pyro blew off right in front of me on stage," recounts Howie, who thankfully didn't harm one curly harm on his head.
Then there was the time when Howie was a little too enthusiastic about cheering on one his fellow Backstreet brothers. "One time," he blushingly recalls, "I fell off the stage while trying to hype up A.J. with his rap during 'Everybody Get Down.'" Sounds like Howie and all the guys need a guardian angel to look after them while they're on the road!
- BB
March 1999