The Private Lives of Backstreet Boys!

In the second part of our intimate and revealing BSB interviews, Nick Carter talks to Allison Lower about growing up in one of the most famous pop bands around...

Last time we met I couldn't believe how much you'd grown up. Do you feel more mature now?
I suppose I do. I mean, I am three years older than when we started, so there are certainly going to be changes in my personality as there would in any teenager, but I guess I've seen adn learnt so much from the business, it's got to have changed me in some way. But you know, I still feel like a kid in a lot of ways. I like to have fun and be kinda foolish and reckless as well, just like any other 17 year old!

Do you find that because of the band you can't let yourself be as wild as you'd really like?
Not really, I have my own time when I can act any way I like. The only real restrictioins are that sometimes we can't go to certain places bcause we'll get recognized and it gets difficult, so you have to learn to be secret about it, but when we're on our own I'm totally relaxed and me and B-Rok are always goofing around.

When you go home, do you friends and family think you've changed?
Yeah, they probably notice it more than anyone because I'm away for months at a time so they don't see me changing. They do understand what I'm going through, though, and realize it takes a certain amount of maturity, but at the same time, when I get home I get to relax and just be my regular self, all crazy and that!

So what do you do fun at home?
I like to play basketball as much of the time as possible! And it's great 'cause I can play it when we're on the road as well, and although I like rollerblading too, I can't really carry them around with me.

Being the youngest, do you have an equal say in the band?
Totally, I've got just as equal a part in the band as the other four. That's what this group's all about--we decide on everything we do, from which record we're going to release, to what direction we're going in. We're all shareholders in our company so everything is down to us.

Are you writing more songs these days?
N: I do write a little bit, but more with the others than on my own. I tend to spend my spare time drawing--you know, my comic book's nearly finished now! The only thing is, I"m looking for someone to put my ideas down on paper as I just don't get enough time to do all the illustrations myself.

All your mates must be going off to college round about now. Would you like to go?
Yeah, I've actually been thinking about it quite a lot recently and maybe one day when I have some time I'll do it. I'd probably take Art or something as my major, but I'd mainly like to play basketball.

Now that you're getting older, have you thought about getting your own place?
No way, I'm gonna be living with my folks for a long time yet. I have absoloutely no interest in moving out--besides, I'm never there! Anyway, I'd have to get someone in to do the washing and cleaning and stuff 'cause I'm useless at that!

Because you're involved in such a grown up world, do you find you go for older women?
I don't really think of age as being an issue. I never really get time to talk to fans much these days as we're always being rushed off, so I probably spend more time with older girls, like other artists and people in the business. But I don't get time to date anyway at the moment.

Do you find you act differently round older people?
Yeah, I think I've got two personalities. When I'm around an adult I act a bit more mature and sensible, but when I'm with people my age, then I'm totally myself and don't worry about my image or what people think or anything. I can be working 24 hours a day.

What's been the most memorable part of the last few years?
Oh, there's just so much...all the different places we've been, the people we've met and stuff, but I had a really, really great time when we went to Hawaii recently.

Do the others still tend to look out for you all the time?
Yeah, I guess they do. But you know, we all look out for each other. They're always there to give me advice, they've already been through most of the thing I"m going through, so they can help me like that and hey, they're always there to talk to--they're my brothers!

Do you think people judge you by what they see on TV--you know, the cute, young, blond guy?
I think it's only natural that people do that, and you can't really blame them--I mean, we all do it in some way. Sometimes they do get the wrong impression 'cause all they see is the young, blond boy thing, but it makes me want to show them what I'm really like even more. And I think that's what Backstreet Boys is about--being ourselves. There are times when you're out and guys have got things to say to you, but you just take it all with a grain of salt.

Has it been strange being a pin-up from such a young age?
It was a bit at the beginning because a lot of the girl who were into me were older than me, but now I think it's great. Occasinally I sti back and think about it and it feels a bit weird that girls put me up on the wall and that. I can't figure out why they like me the way they do...

Kevin Richardson talks to Allison Lower about life as the big brother in Backstreet Boys...

Do you see yourself as the big brother of the group?
I suppose it's pretty true, really. I don't intentionally try to be like that, it just happens, and yeah, I suppose sometimes I can get a little bossy!

So do you look out for the others and give them advice and stuff?
Oh definitely, especially the younger ones--I've already been where they're at. But a lot of the times it's just like when my big brother used to give me advice--I'd totally ignore it! An they do the same thing to me, then later they come round and say, 'Hey, you were right all along!'

Being the older one, does the work side of things put pressure on you?
I do sort of feel responsible for the band. I think Howie does, too, though, and sometimes if things to wrong people look at me and ask how I could have let it happen. I find that quite intense.

Do you ever find yourself craving older company?
When we're on the road sometimes I hang out with the guys, and sometimes I handg out with the [backing] band who are all in their late 20s and 30s. They're all experienced musicians from all over America, and they've got so many amazing stories to tell and a different type of conversation. I just love any good company.

Do you think people take Backstreet Boys seriously as musicians now?
At first everyone had their set of opinions on us, but they're starting to take us more seriously now. You've got to prove yourself, but this is a brilliant stepping stone.

Do you fans tend to be older than the others?
Yeah, I guess they're a little more mature. I even get fanmail and photos from women in their 30s and 40s! Some come backstage after concerts, but some say they love the music but can't face all the insanity at the shows.

Do you ever feel restricted having to keep up a certain band image?
When I choose to go out and have a good time then I'll do it as long as it's in a responsible way. The only thing we have to worry about is the paparazzi. It's like, me, A.J., and Howie went to a club in Europe a while back and these photograpehrs kept hounding us, so our security said they could take a picture then leave. But they weren't happy with that so they ended up printing a story in the paper the next day about A.J. getting into a fight, which was completely fabricated. I guess people just love gossip.

You come across as being quite serious--is that the real you, or is it just part of your image?
When it coems to business and the music then I'm really serious. When I'm really into something and real focussed then I guess I get pretty tense. But I tend to be all or nothing--I'm either very serious or very, very laid back.

Now that you're so successful, are you fully in control of your money situation?
Absoloutely. As i think Nick told you, the five of us own our own company. The whole tour is ours--we're five equal shareholders in it and run it toally on our own with the help of our business manager, Lou Pearlman. I think nowadays you've got to be businessmen as well as musicians. When we're planning a tour we talk over our idea with the production manager, then go over the budget, what we want to spend, what sort of image we want, and decide what we can do to make a really good show while making a little money at the same time. But our main concert is that we always want the show to be getting bigger and better.

As you're getting older, are you finding all your friends back home are settling down now?
Yeah, one of my best friends got married two years ago and another friend got married this year, adn I've got a godchild now, Madison, who's two. I love kids and she's just great--every time I go home I spend as much time as possible with her. I take videos home and she's got voicemail so I leave her all these messages. But it made me real sad because for awhile when I went back, it'd take her a visit or two to warm up to me, but last time I went back for her birthday she was all over me--it was wonderful!

Do you enjoy being a single guy or do you feel you're ready for some serious commitment now?
Definitely, I'm really looking for a serious relationship at the moment--I really need it right now. I need someone to be there for me, I need the companionship, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

It looks like loads of fun, but how would you describe life as a Backstreet Boy to an outsider?
It's a lot of work, a lot of fun, very demanding, but I get a lot of satisfaction out of what I do. It's intense, it's crazy sometimes, but it's definitely exciting. We've got so much great stuff planned ahead, starting with our Backstreet's Back video--we came up with the concept for that ourselves--it's only going to get better...

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