BACKSTREET BOYS: The Eyes Have It - BB Nov 99
You've read about their high-school classes, music for the masses and backstage passes-but how do the Boys feel about, well, eyeglasses?
You're sitting in the doctor's office and you hear those three dreaded words: "You need glasses." Aaagh! You have just become walking target practice for every wisecracker at school, you think. But it's not that bad--really. Just ask any one of the Backstreet Boys--A.J. McLean, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson or Howie Dorough--who are enjoying the eye-popping success of their 1999 album, Millennium, which includes the way wonderful "I Want It That Way." Though not all of the Backstreet Boys have had to don specs themselves, each of these eye-candy crooners can feel your pain.
Adorable Nick, 19, has always had a little problem with the peepers. "I was in elementary school when I had them--big, square glasses," reflects the blondest Backstreet Boy. "I was bummed." After enduring tons of teasing from his classmates, li'l Nick finally grew out of those frames and can now see well enough through his eyes of blue to do what he loves most: sing and dance with his BSB buds! See? Success is the best revenge.
One the flip side, 24-year-old Brian, the honest charmer with the dark blond hair and blue eyes, has never needed to wear glasses. But that's not the case with his older bro, Harold. "My brother has glasses and contacts and stuff," B-Rok explains. Bri realizes he's lucky: "I don't know if I'd be responsible to think about putting a contact in. I'd probably lost them!"
Was green-eyed Kevin ever the object of cruel nicknames like "four-eyes"? "Nope," assures the sincere songster, who just celebrated his 28th b-day on October 3. Country boy Kevin goes on to explain, "My dad had glasses, but luckily, I still have good eyesight. My vision is pretty good." The better to see you fans, right?
He's got it made in the shades
Although funky-fresh A.J., 21, is the only member of his fam who doesn't need to wear glasses, that may soon change. "I'm having problems with my vision," admits A.J. "My eyes are very sensitive to the light, and there's a whole lot of strain on them." But since this fashionable fella has been completing his far-out look with sunglasses for most of his life, he doesn't see major trauma ahead. Holding up a pair of his cool shades, he confides to BB, "I might even get glasses like these, but they'd be prescription."
Twenty-six-year-old Howie, the fun fella from Florida, never had to wear glasses, either. "I was, like, average," expresses the anything-but-"average," 5-foot-6-inch talent. But this sensitive sweetie has the right approach: He makes sure never to poke fun at his buds who do need extra help in seeing the world more clearly. Howie smiles, "I care about people's feelings."