Fan meets teen idols Backstreet Boys during Richmond Hill visit

As the time approached the boy band’s arrival, the music playing outside grew more intense, cheers were getting louder, and the tension and excitement in the air was sensational. As their van pulled up, the crowd went wild. Camera flashes were going off at strobe-light speed. And yes, I did see a few girls crying from the excitement.

Howie Dorough and Nick Carter walked on to the red carpet, and, after a quick handshake by Howie, he and Nick were quickly directed past me to the reporters nearby with cameras.

I approached Steve Somerville, a Liberal staff photographer and blew off steam that I wasn’t given a chance to ask a question. Steve told me I needed to be quick, professional and assertive. So off I went for try No. 2.

I bypassed the rest of the media and stood at the end of the press area. I was determined. As Nick and Howie answered questions, I managed to get the attention of a member of their entourage. I held up my press pass and said, “Give me ONE question. I’m from the Richmond Hill Liberal newspaper. Just give me the chance for ONE question”.

As the bouncer nodded in approval, my heart dropped. I drew a blank for a brief moment: What was my question again? How should I greet them? What if...? Steve leaned over and was able to snap some amazing pictures of the guys while they were interviewed.

When I shared my nervousness with him, he replied, “Hey, they’re people just like you and me, they just have a great talent. No need to be nervous”. Right then and there, my nerves calmed and I had confidence.

Seconds later, Howie and Nick were standing right in front of me. I shook their hands, introduced myself and asked them my burning question, which turned into three.

Afterward, I thanked them for their time, shook their hands and wished them a good time for the rest of the night.

Here’s a cross-section of the fans spotted at the Backstreet Boys Richmond Hill visit:

Morgan, 26, from East York: Says she is the Backstreet Boys’ biggest fan. Was blown away at their concert Thursday night. Admitted to having a six-foot-tall Brian Littrell poster in her room as a teenager.

The guys: Many agreed the boys at Nava were there to chaperone girlfriends, but some admitted being drawn to meet the women at Nava, who were there to see the Backstreet Boys, of course.

Jeff from Scarborough: Admitted that even though he brought his girlfriend to Nava to see them, deep down he is a bit of a fan, too, as he has been a singer for the past 15 years and respects their talent and success.

Melissa asked:

Q: How do you feel your fans relate to your music now, as compared to 10 years ago?

A: Howie: I think our fans can relate to our music based on our more mature sound, we have more of an R&B influence. We have matured, gotten older and so has our fan base. Q: Any more solo albums in the near future?

A: Together: Yes, all are currently working on solo albums on the side.

Q: What is in the future, musically, for the Backstreet Boys?

A: Nick: We will continue to work on our music; develop, change and improve our sound to lean more towards a different sound, more R&B influenced.