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With a hit album and several hot videos under their belts, the Backstreet Boys are busier than ever. We caught up with A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, and Nick Carter before they took off on their first U.S. concert tour.
Do you get nervous before performing?
A.J. McLean: I don't get nervous--I'm a natural ham.
Howie Dorough: I get butterflies in my stomach, esecially when family or friends are in the audience.
Nick Carter: I was pretty nervous at the World Music Awards, because we had to sing a capella [without music] in front of people such as Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy, and Gloria Estefan. My leg was twitching a little.
How do you pass time on the long bus rides when you're on tour?
A.J.: I talk on the phone, watch a movie, or write poetry.
Howie: I watch movies, but I usually fall asleep halfway through.
Nick: I play video games.
When you're on the road, what do you miss most?
A.J.: Sleeping in my own bed.
Howie: My mom's cooking.
Nick: Playing with my little brother and sisters.
What's the funniest thing that has ever happened onstage?
Howie: One time, during a song called "Get Down," Nick swung his arms to the side, not realizing that I was standing right next to him. The next thing I knew, I was floating in the air, praying for a pillow to catch me. Luckily ther was a security guard right there, and I just plopped right into his arms.
When you were younger, did other kids ever make fun of you for singing?
A.J.: Oh, yeah. In fact, a friend just told me that back in school I was known as a real nerd. I said, "Well, thank you! I didn't know at the time, but thanks for bringing that to my attention now!"
Howie: When I was twelve, I had a very high voice, so once in awhile I'd hear chuckles when I sang in musicals. In high school, though, kids started respecting me for performing.
Nick: Kids definitely gave me a hard time, but that made me strive even harder for success.
Do you play any instruments?
A.J.: I'm learning to play the bass guitar, and I want to learn the saxophone.
Nick: I've played the drums for four years.
Howie: I took guitar lessons when I was younger, and I decided to pick it up again when we were working on the "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" video.
Have you had a chance to meet any of your idols?
A.J.: I got to meet one person who I really, truly wanted to meet--Gwen Stefani--at the Billboard Music Awards.
Howie: I met Jon Secada. I'm a big fan of both his Spanish music and his English music. I'd love to meet Mariah Carey.
Nick: I'd really like to meet Steve Perry from the band Journey.
Do you have any celebrity crushes?
A.J.: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Geena Davis, and Denise Richards [from Starship Troopers].
Howie: Salma Hayek [from Fools Rush In].
Nick: Christina Ricci.
Who would you cast in a Backstreet Boys movie, if you couldn't play yourselves?
A.J.: Let's see. Tom Cruise could play Kevin, Antonio Banderas could play Howie, Mark Wahlberg could play Brian, Leonardo DiCaprio could play Nick, and Luke Perry could play me.
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