Backstreet Boys -
Mom's The Word!
What
makes Nick, Brian, AJ, Howie and Kevin think? A
while back, we went directly to the source--their moms, naturally!--and got the
inside scoop!
¥
Nick's Mom, Jane
Carter!
How would you describe your
relationship with Nick?
We have always been close
[and] always will be. Nick exhibited an interest in the arts, like myself,
and I did everything I could to help him achieve what he loved doing the most.
When Nick was younger, what
did you argue about the most?
I would say...video games,
Nintendo to be specific...
Did Nick always get along with his other siblings?
Not always. Nick has
four siblings, Bobbie Jean, Leslie, Aaron and Angel. They love Nick, but
of course [when they were younger], they'd fight sometimes about silly things,
like 'I had that first' or 'get out of my room.' The usual.
How did you and the rest of
the Carter clan feel about Nick becoming an entertainer?
I am very proud of him.
He is really a very together young man who wants this more than anything else in
the world. We, the family and myself, are all very excited for him.
We're willing to make whatever sacrifices to be there for him and support him
and his career.
¥
Brian's Mom, Jackie
Littrell!
How do you and Brian get along?
We have always been close!
We have shared many talks together late in the evenings and even through he is
the 'son' and I am the 'mother,' he has taught me many things.
When Brian was young, what did
you argue about?
We never really argued about
anything, but sometimes we did disagree on what his priorities were and how he
needed to get them into perspective to have the right direction for his life.
How did he get along with his
brother?
Brian's only brother, Harold,
is three years older, so sometimes they did have their disagreements regarding
Harold's privileges and freedoms...Harold has different interests than Brian,
however sometimes they did fight about basketball and who would win!
How did you feel when Brian
said he wanted to perform?
I am extremely excited for
him! It is wonderful to be able to do something you love to do as an
occupation, and enjoy every minute of it! Brian's brother is ecstatic for
him! He encouraged Brian to pursue his dream and make it happen, and he's
very thrilled.
¥
A.J.'s Mom, Denise
McLean!
Are you and A.J.
close?
[We're] very
close! A.J. has grown up in a single parent household, so we've always had
close and ongoing communication about everything. Fortunately, this has
[remained the same]. AJ always talks to me about things that trouble or
confuse him.
When A.J. was a boy, were there any disagreements?
About spending
money wisely. Dating and girls, relationships and what age to start seeing
girls. A.J. [wasn't permitted to] date until he was 16. Use of the
phone, becoming more responsible about everyday things like taking care of his
room and clothes. Stuff like that.
How did you feel
about A.J. being a professional performer?
A.J. has been
entertaining since age six, so our family is very used to his career schedule.
I am supportive and very proud of him. I will continue to support A.J. in
all he wants to do. He is a very special child to me...I am very proud to
be his mother and I hope to watch him continue to grow as an artist.
¥
Howie's Mom, Paula
Dorough!
How would you
describe your relationship with Howie?
The Doroughs are
now and have always been a very close family. Howard has been closer to me
than the rest of [my] children, because we have had more time to spend with each
other. He is my and my husband's heart, we love him so much.
What did you argue
about the most when he was a teen?
The time he
[would] spend with his girlfriends, taking him away from practicing [and
rehearsing]...
Did Howie always
get along with his other siblings?
Howard never
fought with his brothers and sisters. He was so much younger than them
and they hovered over him as if he were theirs! He always had built-in
babysitters with three older sisters. He was 'their baby,' sometimes they
would fight...OVER HIM!
How does the
family feel about Howie being a Backstreet Boy?
This is his dream,
his lifelong ambition! Thrilled! We are so happy for him. He
really worked hard to get where he is now and he really deserves everything he
has attained. We brag about him to anyone who will listen!
¥
Kevin's Mom, Ann
Richardson!
Have you and Kevin
always been close?
Do flowers bloom?
Of course! [Since he's on the road a lot], only miles are the distance
between us...I have always trusted his judgment.
When Kevin was
younger, what did you argue about the most?
Getting him up for
school in the mornings...we were always able to talk things out, in spite of our
tempers.
Did he always get
along with his other siblings?
As a little boy,
he would scream until he got his way...he always wanted to do everything his
older brothers (Tim's now 31 & Jerald's now 35) did...Kevin was a lover and
a fighter and brought so much joy to our home.
How do you feel
about Kevin being in the music business?
He has always been
'our' entertainer and I am very proud now to share him with the rest of the
world...the family thinks it's wonderful and are so very proud of him!