The Backstreet Boys: Up Close and Personal

Tiger Beat  June 1996 Issue

   Whether you're a huge fan of Florida-natives the Backstreet Boys or you've just become acquainted with their R & B flavored pop music, one thing is for sure- they definitely have it goin' on! Last summer's hit single, We've Got It Goin' On, first hyped people up to their sound. Now, their long-awaited debut album is on it's way.

    What makes these five guys 22-year old Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough who's 21, 20 year old Brian "B-Rok" Littrell, A.J McLean, 18, and Nick Carter, who's the youngest at 16- such a super group (besides their amazing voices), is that they're all so different from each other!

    Each Backstreet Boy has their own special look. Kevin, who's the tallest Backstreet Boy at over 6' tall, has striking blue eyes and chestnut brown hair, while his cousin Brian has a more all-American appearance with his light features. The dark and handsome member of the group is Howie, who is half-Puerto Rican, half-Irish. A.J is known for his smooth homeboy style, while Nick has coverboy good looks with his light blond hair and mega-watt smile!

    One thing the Backstreet Boys do have in common is their affection for each other! "We're just like a big family," says Kevin. "We have fights every now and then, but it's nothing like a family would go through. We're like brothers."  But when a minor argument does happen, who's the guy most likely to keep the peace? "Howie's Mr. Mediator. He's just like, 'C'mon guys, let's get focused' " admits A.J.

    But if there's a practical joke being played, Nick is usually behind it. He's known as the prankster of the group who can always be counted on to play a trick on one of his bandmates. Kevin is at the opposite end of the spectrum- he's the serious one. As the oldest member of the group, Kevin's usually the first on to let the other boys know it's time to get to business.

    The Backstreet Boys unanimously agree that when it comes to girls, A.J. is the romantic one who would serenade his special someone in a second. He's also the most flirtatious. "I do flirt," reveals A.J. "I like girls." Nick runs a close second for being the girl-craziest of the bunch, while Brian is the super-shyest. "I can't go up to a girl," he says. A.J agrees. "He's the kind of guy that'll let one of us go up first and start talkin' to them."

    Something else the Backstreet Boys have in common is that they're all single! Nick explains that their hectic lifestyle makes it difficult to have a steady girlfriend. "We really don't have much time for girlfriends," says Nick. "The fact is we're always on the road and it's hard to stay with one girl and leave her home." But don't fret- they're all on the lookout to meet that special girl who wouldn't mind waiting for them to return!

    When they're on the road, it's Howie who's known for racking up hefty phone bills to his family. "I'm in a family of five. We're one of those tight families," says Howie. In fact, Howie's the one who reminds the other Boys how important it is to stay connected with their loved ones when they're far away!

    With all their differences, it's the music and their friendship that keeps the Backstreet Boys together. In fact, it's that chemistry that keeps the grooves pumping, those heavenly voices singing, and their fans screaming for more. Says Kevin, "We're so excited. It seems like it took forever, but finally it's here and it's great."