Gearing up for the 2016 Backstreet Boys Cruise, there will be a series of posts geared toward the cruise to either let you relive the past or get you pumped and ready for the next cruise! I will be taking to social media (watch for it!) to ask you about some of your favorite moments with each of the Boys. Keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be a personal connection, it can be just something you really loved watching!
What Has Been Your Favorite Howie D. Moment From Past BSB Cruises? You answered.
“ABC night last year: Howie starting taking Hershey kisses off of his costume and giving them out to the girls who were on stage. I was in a conversation with Brian when my friend came over to me and handed me a kiss. She said that’s from Howie. I looked over at him and he waved/winked at me. Such a sweetheart!” – @AndieYammine
“On the 2013 cruise on Neon night it was like 5am and we were walking around the lido deck I turned the corner and LITERALLY ran into Howie. I said “Where the f**k did you come from Howie?” He was beyond drunk. I asked him for a pic he told me to ask Eddie I said “Eff Eddie, I got this.” We took a picture then a bunch of fans wanted pics and I turned into the picture taker making sure everyone got a pic and stayed in a neat line, etc. It was funny and Howie was great.” – @Yahtzee27
“Howie is a party animal! At 3pm and 3am…he is there, singing, dancing, drinking, interacting with the fans.” – @Miry_iam
“I’ve only been to the 2011 cruise, and there were plenty of amazing moments with Howie. My favorite was meeting Howie at the beach party. Howie tried his best to greet every fan, he even covered his bodyguard’s mouth and said “Josh will never say no to you again.“ Luckily, I got a quick selfie with Howie. It was fun to see Howie playing beach volleyball with Brian and Kevin as well. During the group photoshoot, I got a chance to tell Howie how much I love his solo album Back to Me. Howie listened, put his hand on his heart, gave me the warmest smile, and said “My pleasure”. Thought it was just a simple gesture, it was the sweetest thing ever.” – @emilybsb
“My favorite moments that I met Howie on the BSB Cruise 2011 for the first time. When I asked him to take a picture with me at Bahama and he was so happy that I just asked to rock the party at the cruise and he did lol and it was the best time of my life.” – @AJChicaBitches
One of the first members of the Backstreet Boys, Howie has worked his way into our hearts since day one. He has been the most stealth, arguably the most reliable, and sometimes the most surprising member of the group and we couldn’t imagine the group without him. On his birthday, let’s reflect on the top reasons we love us some Howie D.
1. His Signature Wink.
Everyone knows about Howie and his wink. If you’ve never been winked at by Howie, you really haven’t made it as a fan. Howie really wouldn’t be Howie without it and we love it!
2. The Way He Sings Like He Means It.
While Howie has really just now come into his own with more solos and such, we LOVE watching / hearing him perform. There’s something about his look and his voice when he sings that makes us believe every word. It’s like every word touches his soul before coming out of his mouth.
3. His Hair That Can Do ANYTHING.
Short and curly, slicked back in a ponytail, the long hair (that fans dubbed “The Jesus Hair”), the Bon Jovi hair, and now the short and sleek hair… Howie has rocked them all. His hair has made us all jealous at one point another – perfection and NEVER out of place. What IS his secret?
4. The Way He Puts Up With…Well, Everyone Else.
Howie seems to be the unspoken unofficial guy-everyone-picks-on of the BSB. Brian or Nick usually seem to be the chronic offenders, but Howie always keeps his cool. He has some sort of inner peace that makes him not punch them right in the face (yet) and we are so very appreciative for that…and the entertainment.
5. He Can Party With The Best Of Us.
Anyone that’s been to an afterparty or a BSB cruise knows that as long as there is a party and there is people, Howie will be there. In fact, he nearly “invented” the afterparties all by himself during the NKOTBSB tour and it’s only gotten better since then. Thank you, Howie, for never making us party alone.
6. His Stealthy Ways.
You never know when he’s going to be the voice of reason, where he’s going to pop up, or when you’re going to find yourself completely ignoring Nick to drool over Howie, but it happens. It happens all the time. Howie is STEALTH and you won’t even know it until it hits you.
7. His Style.
Think really hard – have you EVER seen Howie look a hot mess? Nope. You haven’t. Move on.
8. He’s The Yoda Of The Backstreet Boys.
Allow us to flash back to I Heart Nick Carter when (stealth) Howie kept giving loads of wisdom. From what to buy at the grocery store to love advice, MAN he’s good! He may not speak the most, but when he does, it is 100% worth listening to.
8. His Undeniably Giant Heart!
Let’s face it – no one has a bad thing to say about Sweet D. He is an incredibly nice human being who is unfaltering in his ways. We’ve loved him from the beginning and the love only continues to grow.
As a Backstreet Boys fan, you must defend your love for the Boys on a daily basis, right? What people don’t understand is that it’s not just the professional “image” we love…in fact, it’s usually not that at all! We love their personalities, their love for fans, their silliness, their faces in general. Per a request on Twitter, the following graphics were made! Please feel free to share and tag us on Twitter, FB, or instagram (Twitter: @WHOTheBckstreet, Instagram: whathappensonthebackstreet) – We want to see you share the love!
This weekend (8.14.15) marked the beginning of filming for Dead 7, the long awaited horror-turned-zombie western film from Nick Carter. Produced by The Asylum, the people behind the Sharknado trilogy, we have been excited for filming to begin since San Diego Comic Con back in July. In a weekly marathon of tweets, Nick has asked a number of celebs to join his cast, from Niall Horan to Paul McCartney, from Kathy Griffin to Mel B., and this weekend, we got our first glimpse of who has joined the cast, what they’ll look like in the film, and what we have to look forward to!
1. You Can Add Three More Boybanders To The “Team”.
While we already knew that Joey Fatone, AJ McLean, and Howie D had signed on to be in Dead 7, we have been in the dark about who else may be involved. Then, on Friday, with a picture and a Periscope video, more cast members were revealed.
The newest cast members include Jacob Underwood and Trevor Penick (both from O-Town) along with Jeff Timmons (of 98 Degrees).
2. Nick Makes A Damn Good Looking Cowboy.
Really, who expected Nick Carter to look SO good as a cowboy? So glad you picked up something in Nashville, Mr.Carter.
3. Other Characters Include….Gunslingers And A Creepy Looking Villain.
We’re seeing these men in a whole night light, guys. AJ, whose character is named Johnny, is going to give you nightmares, but he is apparently the only boybander that isn’t a cowboy. While we have yet to see Jeff, Trevor, or Lauren in character, we can’t wait for more details!
4. We Owe Jacob Underwood.
The O-Town member gave us the first peek at Cowboy Carter and kept the goods coming from Montana set all weekend long!
For all of the latest updates of Dead 7, check right here and nickcarter.net!
After 22 years, Backstreet Boys fans all have common problems and these are just the surface…
1. You’re in shock when another artist says there is going to be an announcement soon, and it actually happens within a few days.
2. You’re in even more shock when other artists you like start everything on time.
3. You’ve called out of work to see the Boys…. On TV.
4. You are iffy about starting a new job that won’t give you vacation time until after a Backstreet Boys tour season.
5. The brain-Brian mixup problem is VERY real.
6. Everytime you see an actor cast in a sexy role, you automatically have your own opinions about which Backstreet Boy SHOULD have played in the role. (We all had our picks for Christian Grey)
7. You automatically follow any celebrity that has shown affection for the Backstreet Boys and love everything they do from there on out.
8. Who needs to pay rent? I HAVE TO BE ON THAT CRUISE.
9. You’ve almost wrecked taking a picture of a license plate that says BSB.
10. You’ve gotten into fights with radio stations over their “contests” that are completely “fair” but the Backstreet Boys didn’t win. EVERYONE WAS VOTING!
11. You’re excited about going to a concert, then halfway through it, you realize it isn’t the Backstreet Boys.
12. Your “normal” friends excitedly tell you about some Backstreet Boys “news” that’s 6 months old, but you pretend you didn’t know.
13. If you’re standing in the fanpit at a BSB show, you’ve made deals with girls around you. “I’ll let you get in my spot when your fave comes near, if you block my spot when I go pee.”
14. If someone asks you if you’ve ever met the Boys, you struggle to keep your face normal and not tell them the 12 stories you have at hand.
15. If you’re somewhere where you know the Boys are, you ALWAYS have to be photo ready everytime you go out.
16. WHO is tweeting from the group twitter? You contemplate it often.
17. You’ve stayed awake late before because you KNOW Kevin is going to be tweeting at 2am and it doesn’t matter how early you have to be up.
18. Whether the Backstreet Boys tweet you on your birthday or not will make or break your birthday.
19. How can you subtly force your husband-to-be to let your first dance be to a Backstreet Boys song?
20. There has been no album announcement, no tour announcement, and no event announcement, but you have 24 different hypothetical plans for next year involving the group and what they MIGHT do.
21. You genuinely worry about Nick with all the projects that he’s working on….but you genuinely want all of them ASAP.
22. You fight the urge to fangirl-out-loud when a Backstreet song comes on in the grocery store.
23. You also fight the urge to punch anyone in the face that dare utters something along the lines of “They’re still touring? Really?”
24. If you’re sick before a BSB show, you sincerely want to write a letter of apology to Nick for what he’s about to catch.
25. You’ve brought in a picture of AJ’s nails for your manicure needs.
26. Buying Backstreet Boys tickets has gotten you more drunk than any Saturday night with the girls.
27. The pain caused by Backstreet Withdrawal is worse than any other emotion you have ever experienced.
28. No matter what, you will always drop everything for the Backstreet Boys…..as long as they love you.
There are not many bands that have lasted the test of time, much less their dances. As we all know, the Backstreet Boys have been an exception to most every rule in the standard music world and there are pieces of their choreography that have withstood the test of time.
1. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)
….Yeeaaaah. (Admit it, you already said that in your head as soon as you read Everybody. Either that, or ALRIGHT, if you have Brian syndrome) The iconic “Everybody” dance has been in existence since 1997 when the Thriller-esque video first dropped. Since then, the dance, while sometimes punched up and a little different, has been a part of every Backstreet Boys tour and there is not ONE girl from the ’90s that doesn’t know at least part of the dance. To be honest, there’s not many guys that don’t know part of the dance either. Let us take you back…and forth. Rock your body right, you know?
The Video
1998 Performance
2014 Performance
The dance is actually such a part of pop culture that it was featured in the “heaven” scene of This Is The End.
2. As Long As You Love Me
While the song is instantly recognizable, the choreography is something that fans are affectionate about. The movement for this dance is nowhere near the level of “Everybody”, but we can’t help but love the little dances behind the microphones. What we’d REALLY love though…is to BRING BACK THAT CHAIR DANCE, BOYS!
The Video
1999 Performance (With The Chairs!!!)
2014 Performance
3. All I Have To Give
Again, definitely not an “Everybody” dance, but our weakness for the hats. We’ll admit we love watching it live to see who drops his hat first… but we’re all so hypnotized by it. Everytime.
As Backstreet Boys fans, music videos have been the essence of every single that they have ever released. Some videos were iconic, some videos were hot, and some videos made us think we were losing our minds. Our music video series will feature the thoughts we have all had while watching Backstreet Boys’ videos – the good, the bad, and the… WTF.
1. Who is Hildi, the midday mistress?! Is she real? (Actually, she is. She’s Google-able and is an “iconic” Orlando radio personality)
2. Brian looks like a baby bear with his “fist pumps”
3. Did anyone ACTUALLY call him “the brokster”?
4. Why does Howie sound SO Spanish? Is that something he does when he’s nervous? Did the wink become a replacement for his sudden Spanish?
5. “Hi, this is NICK.” No nickname or last initial needed, but some HEAVY pronunciation. Get that everyone? NICK.
6. Nick Carter has always spoken with his eyebrows.
7. Who told them to talk like this? “A-JAY!”
8. Kevin actually sounds like he sounds now.
9. We’re pretty sure “Woohoo” isn’t a response to “tell us about your video”. Neither is all talking over at once and then just singing the song. Glad they figured that out.
10. Wait. How did they go from sharing ONE mic in a tiny room to having three?
11. Were they separated by height? Or is Kevin with Nick to keep him from breaking things?
12. Woah! Now we’re on a stage.
13. Three AJs could fit in one of his sweaters.
14. Were leather and jean vests ever REALLY a thing? Or just a Backstreet thing?
15. Pretty sure that drop to the floor and thrust was the earliest recorded inspiration for Magic Mike.
16. And suddenly Brian is singing in a gym….then washing his car with Nick and a girl. While dressed like they are going to play basketball.
17. Brian looks a little pissed the whole time. I don’t blame him. He’s in three places at once and he obviously just wants to play basketball.
18. Meanwhile, AJ gets to sing in music-appropriate places.
19. YAY! Brian gets to go play with Nick! (Which is clearly what he was dressed for in the first place.)
20. HOW DID THEY GET IN THE WOODS?
21. Back to the gym. Back to outside (not in the woods). Back to basketball. Seriously. Whiplash.
22. Oh no! Carwash girl (Fun fact: Brian’s girlfriend at the time) JUST realized he’s not helping her wash the car anymore. Tsk, tsk, Brian. Is that why you’re in the woods?
23. At 1:44, why is Kevin WAY down in the left corner? The tallest member is suddenly peeking out like he’s 4 foot.
24. Why is Nick wearing a shirt under his jersey like that’s the thing to do?
25. Uh oh. Brian is caught. CUT TO AJ, CUT TO AJ.
26. There is literally so many arm flailing dance moves throughout this whole video.
27. 1:59, Brian knows he’s in trouble. Nick stares at carwash girl like he wishes he was in trouble. Or like he’s Pinky from Pinky and The Brain.
28. “Ruthless when I get wet” is actually about Brian getting sprayed in the face because he didn’t wash the car…DUH. It all makes sense.
29. The main reason for Nick and Kevin in this video? To have attitude faces in the background. Duck face. WERK. (Also, if you screen cap Nick or Kevin at any point in this video, their faces are something to behold. See above.)
30. We’re not sure why AJ is now playing pool. “My verse is done…going to play now…”
31. Why is every girl in this video wearing a tied white shirt?
32. 2:21, WHAT SONG IS KEVIN SINGING?! It is NOT the one he’s supposed to be singing.
33. Brian and Howie aren’t singing the right one either.
34. Oh hey Howie in leather vest, welcome to the video.
35. 2:29. Kevin weight lifting. Fans rejoice.
36. 2:35. Kevin does his sassy arms and head nod. We want to go back to the weight lifting ASAP.
37. AWWWWW, YEAH. The water on Kevin’s head…The only reason that anyone watches this video anymore, really.
38. Hey! There’s that Howie guy again. Dancing with the ladies!
39. Now Kevin is riding a motorcycle. “We aren’t telling you what to sing or even letting you sing, but you get to be a TOTAL beefcake macho man, ok?”
40. Again with the arms…
41. Now suddenly there’s NO mics in the studio and LOU PEARLMAN is there?
42. Oh, excuse Kevin while he checks his BEEPER and uses a LANDLINE phone. Must be that girl on his motorcycle 15 seconds ago.
43. While Kevin makes a call, Howie decides to play video games. No big deal.
44. While Howie plays video games, Brian also makes a phone call. On a cellular device. That he apparently wouldn’t let Kevin use.
45. LOOK AT THE ANTENNA ON BRIAN’S PHONE. We will literally show this video to our children while they laugh at us.
46. “Ok, guys, we’ve already done this dance throughout the video, but we spent all day in the woods so we may have forgotten…”
47. The first Backstreet collective thrust. We live for it.
48. HOLD UP. AJ is STILL playing pool.
49. They really do look like predators in the woods. They start moving forward…and I instinctively wanted to run. They’re like a wolfpack.
50. Apparently the signal for “everybody groove to the music” is to wiggle two fingers in the air. At least in Littrell land….followed by his baby bear fist pumps.
51. AJ got his bra money back…completely unaffected. Is he even old enough to gamble in this video?
52. Nick looks like a baby wannabe mobster.
53. Oh, here’s sassy arm-flailing Nick and Kevin once again.
54. 3:54. Weird mini thrusting by AJ, Kevin, Howie and Nick.
55. Conclusion: If the Backstreet Boys had no arms, this video would be nothing.
Since I started WHOTB in December, I’ve been lucky enough to make connections with fans. I’ve heard so many stories of fans meeting the Backstreet Boys for the first time, fun times on the cruise, friends that have been made by going to different BSB events. Among these stories, there has been a common factor – the Backstreet Boys, together and separately, personally and through their music, have changed lives. Here are the stories of a few fans (among thousands) who credit the Boys with inspiring them in unexpected ways and changing them for the better.
“I’m Steff and I’m a 16-year-old Backstreet fan. Crazy right? I know what you’re thinking. It may not be “normal” for a 16-year-old to like a boyband from the 90’s when nowadays you have One Direction, Justin Bieber, among other artists that have thousands of girls like me as their fans. Well, guess what? I was born in the wrong era and I deal with that every single day of my life. But…why Steff? Why the Backstreet Boys?It all started back when I was 6 years old. My sister, who’s 7 years older than me, obviously lived during BSB’s early days and of course…she was a fan! And since she listened to them all the time, I started liking their music. I knew their names ever since and watched their music videos as if they were movies. I even had a BSB-themed birthday party!As I started growing older, I was turning into a shy and insecure person. I also had some trouble socializing (still do, less than before though). I always thought that a good conversation topic is the kind of music a person likes. So, since I knew that BSB weren’t from my era, and nobody my age liked them, I was afraid people would judge me by my taste in music. People judging me= no friends.
But now, I can prove myself wrong. Why? Because I started finding the true meaning to the Backstreet Boys’ songs, by listening constantly to them and paying attention to the lyrics. And how did it affect my life? It inspired me to be a better person, the person I am today. They taught me that “what makes me different, makes me beautiful” because I’m “one in a million”. They “don’t care who I am, where I’m from, what I did, as long as I love them”. They “showed me the true shape of their hearts” and that “love is all they have to give”. To “never mind what people say because they don’t understand how BSB left a permanent stain on my heart”. And if that’s not enough, they SHOWED ME WHAT THEY’RE MADE OF.
Unlike any other boybands, the Backstreet Boys have proven after 22 YEARS that they will always be there for their fans, no matter what.
I simply don’t know what would’ve been of my life without the Backstreet Boys. NICK, BRIAN, AJ, HOWIE & KEVIN: I don’t think I’ll ever get to thank you enough <3″ – @Stefbystef_
“My inspiration is Brian Littrell, he show how perfect life can be in spite of life’s imperfection. I learned from him how to be a fighter how to conquer your fears and Having a strong faith foundation. I am blessed that a Brian Littrell exist in this world.” – @littrellsoldier
” I’m a big Brian fan (fan since 1996) and I want to say how the Backstreet Boys changed my life is by their positive message in their music and they always believe in what they’re saying. I like how nice and friendly sweet they are with the fans, even though I never met any of them. Hopefully one day I’ll get to meet them in person but just by listening to their stories and watching them on TV, I can tell they’re really cool guys. Some of their music got me out of a bad situation. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and they helped me be positive and never give up. They pretty much helped me a lot and I’ll always supported them and love them! I’ll be a fan of them always, that’s all I have to say. Keep Backstreet pride alive!” – @ilovebrian4life
“To begin with I’m not sure I’m a “typical” BSB fangirl, if there even is such a thing any more. For a brief background on me, yes I’m an “older” fan, I have a year on Kevin. 😉 I’m a full time nurse, full time student, mom to 3 college/high school teens, wife, volunteer and passionate advocate for homeless youth.I have been a fan literally since the Backstreet Boys beginning. I had friends on Ramstein Air Base in the 90’s who followed BSB around Germany/Europe as much as possible and mailed me bootlegged cassette tapes of the boys from Germany back in the day. My 3 kids have been raised on BSB and we have appreciated all the phases they have gone through as a group. The intensity of my fan love & following has shifted over the years with all the life happenings, but I’ve always loved the Boys. I’m devastated to say that my original tapes and much of the earliest BSB memorabilia I had was ruined when we had our basement flood!! :-(How have the Backstreet Boys inspired me and my life? Last year I was contemplating returning to college to finish what I started 27 yrs ago.
In my adult life I have been a licensed cosmetologist and earned 3 college degrees but never completed my RN Bachelors degree and my graduate work to be a Nurse Practitioner. I’ve been a First Responder, a Certified Medical Assistant and a surgical nurse. As I hit my mid-40’s I contemplated returning to finish my 2 more college degrees and achieve my dream of becoming a Nurse Practitioner, but was pretty unsure if that was the right path for me “at my age”.
Then the #IAWLT tornado hit the world. The first time I heard “Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of” something just clicked for me. I went to the internet and did some reading about what they all the Boys had been doing before that album and was instantly catapulted back into being a full blooded fangirl! It occurred to me that if Kevin could leave his “stable” BSB life to follow his dreams and try all the things he did, I certainly could. So I started applying at colleges again and jumped back into college life with both feet while not giving up the rest of the things I do! In the meantime it occurred to me that I had put myself on the sidelines in all areas of my life-which can happen to us ladies while we are in the thick of raising kids, working and being moms.
So after a short waiting time and a few classes here and there to gain momentum, nursing school began again full time in January 2015. I also made a 2015 New Years commitment to myself that starting then I was going to give myself the same love and treatment everyone else in my life gets. I cleaned up my eating paleo-style, began running & lifting weights again and made myself a priority on the list with the rest of my loved ones. My goal for 2015 was to be able to show outwardly to others what I was made of, and to be able to be the best me and the best example I could. As of today I have lost 70 lbs and counting, and I continue to mentor my younger classmates, and am now signed up to begin ESL tutoring in Health Sciences programs at my college this fall to help where I can.
How can we best show what we are made of? With actions and love. So HUGE thank you to the Backstreet Boys, especially Kevin, they inspired me to keep working toward my dreams and goals. Can’t wait to meet all of you boys and so many of you BSB fans in the community on the 2016 Cruise!! It will be my celebration of my next college graduation!!
Thank you for the opportunity to share this with you!! Sending love and hugs from MN!!!” – Kristine (@kmaspice)
“When I was 25 years old I almost committed suicide. I was going through depression, had anxiety as well. Most of it stemmed from one year of high school that had a lot of deaths in my family at once. I also deal with a lot at home and had no confidence in myself. I was very negative and as a result I pushed everyone away. I hated myself.BSB had been a part of my life for a long time, but I’d kinda grown out of them by 2005. From 2005 to 2009 – I call this “the dark ages.” I was sinking into a hole and I was afraid I couldn’t get myself out. Therapy wasn’t helping either. Then one day I walked into a CVS and saw Nick on People Magazine. He was talking about his weight loss and how he was depressed, how he hated himself. I bought the magazine and tool it home. For the next few years I got back into the fandom. I talked to other fans and made so many friends. I still hid my depression but it was eating away at me. One Thanksgiving, I came home from work and cried. I sat down and cried for about two hours. I was miserable. I was burnt out and exhausted. I worked 60+ hours a week but had nothing to show for it. I didn’t treat myself. I put on Nick’s solo album “Now Or Never” and just cried. If I didn’t stop and listen to that album, I wouldn’t be here writing this right now. “I Got You” calmed me down enough to where I changed my mind about killing myself. I went online and found a video where Nick mentioned Kevin giving him a self help book. I ordered a book by the same author, Norman Vincent Peale. (It’s called The Power Of Positive Thinking) That book really helped me. I also recently got into fitness and have lost 23 pounds since May 1st 2015. I keep meaning to tell and thank Nick about how he saved my life, but haven’t gotten the nerve to do so. I hope one day I will be able to tell him.Ironically enough, if I had been successful at committing suicide, I wouldn’t have met the boys for the first time two years later. The boys and especially Nick gave me something to live for. Hope. I’ve found a purpose for being here. Not just for them but for traveling, for making friends and being happy. Genuinely happy for the first time in my entire life.” – Tracy (@frickingkaos)
“Brian Littrell has been my inspiration since I was 12. He shows how much fun in life is possible. Like he said “Life is more than just stuff” and yes it’s true. You’ll be inspired how he values his family.The biggest impact would be on my Faith. I grew up on a Christian Family but I’m not a devoted one, I don’t even go to church every Sunday. It was 2009 when a Christian friend of mine was asking for a song that he would perform on a particular Sunday Service, when I recommended “Welcome Home”. My friend dared me that he would sing it if I watch him perform. I accepted it. Then I couldn’t believe it, that Sunday would be my life’s turning point with my Christian faith… (the rest is history). It started with Brian’s “Welcome Home”. You will be inspired with Brian in every aspect of his well being.” -Schenley (@brileyholic) (Manila, Philippines)
“Nick has inspired me so much. It’s thanks to him i went back to college to finish. Im almost done. Whenever i feel like giving up, I always think of Nick because he never gave up so I won’t give up on my dream. I love music even more because of Nick and yes the BSB most definitely. I’m going to study music and get a master’s degree. That will be my major and I owe it to Nick! He is my fave and my hero and so is Lauren. I’m trying to exercise because of her and keep healthy.” – @BSBNeverGone93
“The Backstreet Boys changed my life. A sentence I am never ashamed to say. Ever. I’m 31 years old and have loved BSB from the first time I heard their music play in Canada. That’s a lot of years! 🙂 Here’s the cliff notes version: I grew up in a broken, alcoholic, loud yet deathly quiet home. My mom, step father, sister & myself. My step father drank morning noon and night and at times, it wasn’t pretty. When things would get chaotic, I’d tuck myself away in my room, put my headphones in and get absolutely lost. Lost in the beat. Lost in the lyrics. Lost in the most beautiful 5 part harmony I had ever heard in my life. I memorized their voices, the way they pronounced words. I got lost in it all. There were some pretty dark times in my life. Anytime I faced anything as a teenager, I knew where my safest place to hide was. To say their music changed my life is an understatement. I wouldn’t be alive today without their music. I would have given up a long time ago. The Backstreet Boys saved my life, a million times over. I am forever debted to them, their music and for what they’ve done for me. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share my story.” – Janelle (@janellepineau)
“My name is Robyn I have been a fan since 1995. In 2011, I entered a Facebook contest for the BSB cruise, to my surprise I won. I had an amazing time on the cruise and met ppl that I will be friends with the rest of my life! It was awesome. In 2013, I went to LA for the 20th anniversary party and the star ceremony. On April 20th, while at the party, I got a call from my family telling me my dad was in the hospital. I told my family I would come home early from my trip but they told me it was not serious, my dad was released the next day. But I still came home right after the star ceremony. A week or so later the doctors said there was nothing more they could do so my daddy was put into in home hospice care. I took a lot of time off work and spent it with my daddy. On May 20th, my daddy went to Heaven. That day I got in my car and of course BSB was in my cd player, the first song I heard was “Never Gone” – it was the perfect time for me to hear it. I’d heard it before of course but this time it really hit. After I lost my daddy, I was in a mass depression. Then the boys came to Phoenix for IAWLT and I did platinum vip and told the guys how “Never Gone” helped me. At the concert I could feel my dad there with me and it felt like he was happy I was there. That was when I finally started to really come out if my depression. That is biggest way Kevin Nick Brian Aj and Howie changed my life. Sure I would have hopefully come out of the depression eventually but who knows how long that would have taken. Someday I hope to tell them this story and thank them in person!” – Robyn Stucks aka @RockinRobyn282
“I’ve been a fan since ’97. I’ve never been a religious person until 2012 when I feel I kind of had to turn to God and Brian helped me. In 2012, my son was diagnosed with cancer at 9 months old. The day I found out I had this strange urge to reach out to Brian via Twitter. To my surprise he responded and he said “everything has a purpose and every moment should be savored, I’m so very sorry my family will pray for your son” Those words replayed in my mind at every clinic visit, every chemo treatment, surgery, and transfusion. I also started to pray ALOT. My son is about to turn 4 in August and I’m proud to say he’s been off treatment for 2 years and he’s in remission!” – Melissa Lamb
“At the age of 10, my parents divorced and I had to live with my father. Sadly, it turned out he and his girlfriend were emotionally abusive. They insulted me, humiliated me in front of their family and friends, lied to me, isolated me and made me feel like the most horrible person in the world. I had no confidence and I was negative about myself. I just wanted to disappear from the world, to stop the pain. When I discovered the BSB, I immediately had a thing for Nick. As I discovered more about him, I realized that he went through some similar things as me. It comforted me and made me feel less… alone, understood even. I’ve always looked up to him because of what he’s gone through, similar personality he has and how he’s dealt with his demons, always striving to be a better person and stay healthy. The BSB have given me hope for brighter days. They’ve also given me strength to go on, fight for what I believe in and fight to show people and myself what I’m made of. I’d listen to their music and find comfort in their positive messages. Their voices calmed me down. Their music, their attitude towards life and fans showed me to be kind, respectful, believe in myself, enjoy life, not be ashamed of myself, follow my dreams, never give up and always, no matter the situation, stay true to myself. Whenever I’d feel down, I’d listen to them and think about the things they’ve showed me and thank whatever is watching us from above that the Earth is so blessed to have five wonderful angels like them.” – Loriane
“I am the proud, single mother of two beautiful children. I work a full time job and when they were younger, ran both kids to sporting events, to friends houses, birthday parties, and all the fun things kids do during childhood. I did it all happily because I’d do anything for my kids to have a happy, memorable childhood. The only problem was, with all that came NO time for myself. After a while, I started to feel depressed and right before my mother moved in with me (my father passed away in 2001 and other than my kids, we are the only family we have), I was near a breakdown. About that time, I started really getting into the Boys and their music. I started hanging out on LD quite a bit and made some really good friends and we started making plans for New York trip for the Boys Unbreakable CD signing . This was the start of my saving grace. I struggled a lot with that trip, feeling a LOT of guilt about leaving my family at home to go off and see NYC without them. Little did I know that trip was going to be the first of many more and in time, it also helped me realize that I shouldn’t feel guilty about going on trips to see the Boys. I started to realize that I deserved something for myself. My work, homelife and my kids were well taken care of. The Boys have brought so many friends in my life and provided an escape from all the pressures in life, to go and have fun with friends from all over the globe. Made me realize, why wait until I retire to go and do things I want to do, when I’m healthy enough and have the means to do it NOW. Tomorrow isn’t promised to us. The time to enjoy life is NOW. The Boys helped me realize this and I couldn’t be more grateful and thankful to them for it. Being a part of this fandom is truly one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.” – Jen (@JennayHeartNick)
If the Backstreet Boys inspired you to do something huge in your life, feel free to send it my way and I’ll add your story as well!
Recently, our affilate, The Darkside of Backstreet, started a blog connected with their forum and we have decided to collaborate on a few posts that will be posted on both sites. Rose at TDS provided the videos (YAY!!) and I’ve provided the written commentary.
For many of us, we were introduced to the Backstreet Boys on MTV and our lives were changed forever. Sometimes we forget how far they’ve come. Sometimes we forget how much MTV has changed since the 90s. Sometimes we just really want to get those nostalgic feels. For your viewing pleasure, for the next few weeks…days…months (whatever we feel like, really), we’ll be posting old appearances from the MTV days of yore and we’ll be waiting for your cries of joy and “OH MY! I FORGOT THIS EXISTED!”
What Happens On The Backstreet 