Backstreet Boys

Nick Carter's Sister Found Dead At 25

01 Feb 2012 13:07:21 EST

Backstreet Boy cancels public appearances following Leslie's death.
By Jocelyn Vena

Aaron Carter
Photo: Getty Images

Nick Carter's younger sister, Leslie Carter, was found dead at the age of 25, MTV News confirmed on Wednesday (February 1). "Nick Carter is thankful to the many people and the fans who have shared their wishes and prayers during this tragic time," Nick's rep said in a statement. "We want to let the fans know the tour will go on as promised." Nick also added his own note about his sister's passing, saying, "Performing is cathartic to me and I am dedicating the rest of my tour to my sister since she loved to watch me perform." "Our family is grieving right now and it's a private matter," Nick's younger brother Aaron Carter said in a statement. "We are deeply saddened for the loss of our beloved sister, daughter, and granddaughter, Leslie Carter. We request the utmost privacy during this difficult time." In the wake of the news, Backstreet Boy Carter, who is currently on a solo tour, has canceled his public appearances set for Wednesday; his next tour date is slated for Thursday in New York City. As for Aaron, who is currently starring in the off-Broadway production of "The Fantasticks," E! News reports that he will take a few days off to mourn. His understudy and friend, Matt Leisy, will cover the role until Aaron's return. The Backstreet Boys shared their sadness over the news on Twitter, writing, "Our hearts [are] with @nickcarter. RIP Leslie Carter," later adding, "We will definitely send @nickcarter all your condolences and love. We have the best fans...thank you fam!" According to an "Access Hollywood" report, Leslie died early on Tuesday in upstate New York, where she had been living. The cause of death was not released. She leaves behind her husband, Mike, and daughter, Alyssa Jane Ashton, born last April. While her career had always been on a lower profile than her famous siblings, who include the Backstreet Boy as well as singer Aaron Carter, she had attempted several times to jumpstart her own singing career. She recorded a never-released debut album under the Dreamworks Records label back in 1999, at the height of BSB fandom. Two years later, her song "Like Wow!" appeared on the soundtrack for the first "Shrek" movie. After several stops and starts to her music career, she might best be remembered for appearing alongside her siblings on the E! reality show, "House of Carters" which aired on the network in 2006. Send your condolences to Leslie Carter's family and friends on our Facebook page.

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Backstreet Boys

Britney Spears And Howie D Have 'Grown Up' Together

03 Nov 2011 17:11:13 EDT

Now, Brit is taking the Backstreet Boy on tour with her in South America.
By Jocelyn Vena

Howie D
Photo: MTV News

Britney Spears may be the leading lady on the Femme Fatale Tour, but that doesn't mean she doesn't want to bring some guys along for the ride.

Next up, Backstreet Boy Howie D is slated to hit the road with Spears, following in the footsteps of DJ Pauly D and Joe Jonas. The South American tour dates — which kick off November 20, days after Howie releases his solo album Back to Me — were an enticing offer to the pop singer. "I embraced it with open arms," he told MTV News of the trek, which ends November 28. "She's such a great, talented person. We've known each other for many, many years." He isn't lying: Howie and Britney grew up together in the industry, with the Backstreet Boys and Spears two of the figureheads of the late-'90s pop revival. Howie said they're rooted in the same place, which will lend itself nicely to touring together. "We kind of came out of the same camp, out of the Orlando pop scene with us and 'NSYNC and Britney," he recalled. "I feel like we've all grown together and have very similar, parallel lives with us and our music, [with] certain moments being very, very hot, certain moments not, and just riding the wave up and down as it's going. Even [with our] personal lives, having families, having kids. I have a huge respect for her, not only as an artist, but as a person. It's good to be around people you've known and people you've grown up with." So what keeps people coming back for more from the likes of Howie and Britney? He has a theory: "It's a test of good music being out there," he said. "We really take pride in making good records, timeless records, and being true to our craft and trying to give our fans what they want ... trying to constantly take each record to the next level, push the envelope." Do you want Howie to tour with Britney in the States? Let us know in the comments!

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Britney Spears Recruits A Backstreet Boy For Tour

25 Oct 2011 16:54:32 EDT

Howie Dorough says he's 'so excited' to open for South American leg of Britney's Femme Fatale Tour.
By Jocelyn Vena

Britney Spears performs at the Staples Center on June 20, 2011
Photo: David Tonnessen/ PacificCoastNews/ Newscom

Nineties pop fans rejoice! Britney Spears has recruited the Backstreet Boys' Howie Dorough to open for a string of South American dates on her Femme Fatale Tour. The gigs will coincide with the release of his first-ever solo album, Back to Me, out November 15.

"I'm so excited that I'm going [to be] joining @britneyspears on several dates of the Femme Fatale tour!" Dorough tweeted on Monday."Can't wait to see all my lovelies in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela!! VIP info will be coming next week." According to Dorough's site (and as he also tweeted), the Backstreet Boy's initial stint on Britney's tour will kick off on November 20 in La Plata, Argentina, with stops in Santiago, Lima and Bogota before it wraps up in Caracas, Venezuela, on November 28. He's just the latest supporting act to join the worldwide Femme Fatale trek, stepping in the spot once occupied by artists like Joe Jonas, Nicki Minaj and DJ Pauly D. And when Dorough spoke to MTV News over the summer about his first solo recording, he said it felt good to finally get the chance to show fans a new side of himself as an artist. "I finally have been able to put [my album] together and I'm excited and very, very proud to be able to make this body of work," he told us. "I feel [it's] a total representation of where I'm at right now in my life and [it represents] things that are going on, positive-ness and energy. I think it's really a chance for people to hear me and know my voice." That's not all, Howie D fans. Next year, Dorough will hit the road again with NKOTBSB — yes, New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys — for a European tour that kicks off in April. "It's awesome," Dorough told MTV News of touring with NKOTBSB. "It all kind of spun from that show at Radio City [Music Hall]. I think we did something that was a shock factor for people. I don't think a lot of people would have thought the two of us being onstage together would have been fathomable."

What do you think of Howie D opening for Britney Spears? Tell us in the comments!

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A.J. McLean Promises Rehab Won't Affect NKOTBSB Tour

13 Jan 2011 16:03:25 EST

'None of this will affect our current tour plans,' Backstreet Boy says of hitting the road in June.
By Jocelyn Vena

AJ Mclean
Photo: Getty Images

After confirming on Thursday (January 13) that he was entering rehab, reportedly for substance abuse issues, Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean assured fans that his treatment will not affect the band's upcoming summer tour with the New Kids on the Block.

McLean said in a statement, "For personal reasons, I've checked myself into a rehab clinic. With 2011 being a busy year for Backstreet, I want to be healthy and perform and sing for people at my very best and happiest. None of this will affect our current tour plans and I look forward to seeing everyone really soon!" He added, "Thank you for all of your support and respecting my family and friends privacy during this time." NKOTBSB are set to hit the road beginning June 2 for a show at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. And the tour, as of now, is slated to run through July 30 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. McLean first hinted about his health issues this past Sunday in a few tweets. "Thank u all for my bday wishes and tweets:)! Its gonna be a great year! I love u all and wish me luck! I start my sober journey tomm! Ttfn!" he wrote on his Twitter page. A day later, he added, "Hey all wish me luck! This is gonna be an amazing year for me and all around me! I love u all and appreciate all the love and support" TMZ reported that sources close to the pop star say he has been "out of control" lately. According to those sources, McLean was under the influence during much of the Backstreet Boys' cruise last month. He entered rehab, his third time in a decade, reportedly because his issues were affecting the planning stages of the NKOTBSB tour.

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Backstreet Boys' A.J. McLean Back In Rehab

13 Jan 2011 13:34:24 EST

Singer tweeted about getting sober days ago.
By Jocelyn Vena

AJ Mclean
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images

Just as Backstreet Boys fever is back in full force as the guys gear up to hit the road with New Kids on the Block this summer comes news that BSB's A.J. McLean has returned to rehab. "For personal reasons, I've checked myself into a rehab clinic," McLean said in a statement to MTV News. "With 2011 being a busy year for Backstreet, I want to be healthy and at my best. Thank you for all of your support and respecting my family and friends' privacy during this time. I'll see you really soon."

TMZ reports that sources close to the pop star say he has been "out of control" as of late due to issues with substance abuse. Reportedly, he was under the influence during much of the Backstreet Boys cruise last month. He allegedly entered rehab, his third time in a decade, because his issues were affecting the planning stages of the NKOTBSB tour, set to begin this June. A rep for the singer had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time. However the singer did leave some messages for his fans on Twitter that alluded to a possible upcoming stint in rehab. "Thank u all for my bday wishes and tweets:)! Its gonna be a great year! I love u all and wish me luck! I start my sober journey tomm! Ttfn!" he wrote January 9. One day later, he added, "Hey all wish me luck! This is gonna be an amazing year for me and all around me! I love u all and appreciate all the love and support" McLean previously entered rehab in July 2001, just as the Backstreet Boys planned to kick off their Black & Blue world tour. He also went to rehab the following year in 2002. "[A.J.] came to us yesterday and said, 'Guys, I need help,' " group member Brian Littrell told MTV News in 2001. "I looked at him in the eyes and said, 'I'm proud of you.' That's the first time he said it to any of us: 'Guys, I have a problem, and I wanna better myself and better the group and better our situation.' "

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New Kids On The Block And Backstreet Boys Add 16 Tour Dates

04 Jan 2011 15:05:25 EST

Boy-band supergroup NKOTBSB will hit even more cities on first joint tour.
By Gil Kaufman

A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys performs while celebrating New Year's Eve 2011 in Times Square
Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/ Getty Images

Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder. And when it's two of the biggest boy bands in modern history that you're missing, go ahead and double that longing. That might explain why the boy-band supergroup NKOTBSB (otherwise known as New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys) have announced plans to nearly double the amount of dates on their first-ever joint tour. After initially announcing two dozen dates slated to kick off June 2 in Uncasville, Connecticut, and run through a July 9 date in Vancouver, British Columbia, the scream-feeder pairing will now stay on the road through July 30 due to what promoter Live Nation called "overwhelming" demand for tickets. The 41-date swing will now wrap up with a July 30 show at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The additional dates include shows in Minneapolis, St. Louis, Orlando, Cleveland and Atlantic City. In their biggest tune-up to date for the outing, the group rocked it in front of millions on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" eight months after they set fans' hearts aflutter by performing onstage together for the first time at a sold-out NKOTB show at Radio City Music Hall in New York in June. Then they knocked it out of the park in November when they closed the American Music Awards with a medley that included Backstreet's "I Want It That Way" and NKOTB's "Hangin' Tough." The tour will feature appearances by all but one of the groups' original members: Joey McIntyre, AJ McLean, Jordan Knight, Howie Dorough, Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Brian Littrell, Danny Wood and Nick Carter (BSB's Kevin Richardson left the group in 2006). Tickets for the new dates go on sale on January 15. NKOTBSB tour dates: » 6/2 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
» 6/3 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
» 6/4 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
» 6/5 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
» 6/7 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
» 6/8 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
» 6/9 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
» 6/11 - Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
» 6/12 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center
» 6/15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Consol Energy Center
» 6/16 - Detroit, MI @ The Palace at Auburn Hills
» 6/17 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
» 6/18 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
» 6/21 - Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
» 6/22 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
» 6/24 - Lafayette, LA @ Cajondome
» 6/25 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
» 6/26 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
» 6/28 -- San Antonio, TX @ AT& T Center
» 6/30 - Phoenix, AZ @ US Airways Center
» 7/1 - Los Angeles CA @ Staples Center
» 7/2 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
» 7/3 - Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events Center
» 7/8 - Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
» 7/9 - Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
» 7/10 - Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
» 7/12 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
» 7/13 - Calgary, AB @ Calgary Stampede
» 7/15 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
» 7/16 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
» 7/17 - Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
» 7/19 - St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
» 7/20 - Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center
» 7/22 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Center
» 7/23 - Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
» 7/24 - Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
» 7/26 - Indianapolis, IN @ Conseco Fieldhouse
» 7/27 - Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
» 7/29 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Boardwalk Hall
» 7/30 - Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium

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BSB Debut NKOTBSB Song 'Don't Turn Out The Lights'

20 Dec 2010 14:30:33 EST

Brian Littrell and AJ McLean preview track on Backstreet Boys cruise.
By Jocelyn Vena

The New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images

NKOTBSB fans have a lot to look forward to in 2011. The guys have announced they'll be hitting the road for a tour, and now comes a little preview of a song the groups recorded together. On Monday (December 20), Perez Hilton posted a video of the Backstreet Boys debuting "Don't Turn Out the Lights" for fans during their cruise earlier this month. "A song by NKOTBSB," AJ McLean told the room of screaming fans, with Brian Littrell by his side. "I'm gonna tell you guys, 'Don't turn out the lights now.' Press play." The up-tempo jam features vocals from McLean, Littrell and Jordan Knight about still being in love with someone. The guys sing, "I know we haven't been getting along/ I don't want to say goodbye/ Memories come flooding back/ I love you like that/ We can get it back again/ Don't turn out the lights now." After cutting off the song early, McLean explained, "We can't play the whole thing, just 'cause with the tour coming up. It's a sample." Despite pressure from both McLean and Littrell, their lawyer refused to let them play the sample again. An official release date or other information about the track was not available. Back in November, all nine members of NKOTBSB teased a possible collaboration of new material, and not just mash-ups, in an interview they gave shortly after initially announcing a tour. "It's tough getting these guys in the studio, these young cats," Joey McIntyre shared. " Well, it's honestly, it is tough to get everybody together. Yes, we have lots of great intentions." Do you like what you've heard of "Don't Turn Out the Lights"? Give us your review in the comments below!

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New Kids On The Block, Backstreet Boys Announce New Summer Tour Dates

22 Nov 2010 14:37:13 EST

After their AMA performance, supergroup NKOTBSB add 18 dates to outing.
By Gil Kaufman

The Backstreet Boys' Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and AJ McLean
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images

After their triumphant dual performance to close Sunday night's American Music Awards, boy-band supergroup NKOTBSB (otherwise known as New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys) have announced the full schedule for the eagerly anticipated co-headlining tour. The first-of-its-kind outing uniting the dominating male vocal group of the late 1980s, NKOTB, with their musical progeny from the 1990s, BSB, had been rumored for months, and when the initial limited slate of dates was announced last month, demand crashed the bands' websites.

As a result, 18 more dates were added to the schedule, including second shows in Chicago and Toronto. "We can't thank our fans enough for their continued support. The love that everyone has shown to us and to this project is incredible. We can feel the excitement and we won't let the fans down. And with our new and elaborate stage design there won't be one bad seat in the house," said NKOTB and BSB in a joint statement. "We are truly blessed and are so appreciative to have you all along with us for the ride." The double threat group first made fans' dreams come true when they performed onstage together for the first time at a sold-out NKOTB show at Radio City Music Hall in June. Sunday's AMA hook-up included runs through Backstreet's "I Want It That Way" and NKOTB's "Hangin' Tough," that got the crowd on their feet as Joey McIntyre, AJ McLean, Jordan Knight, Howie Dorough, Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Brian Littrell, Danny Wood and Nick Carter proved they still had the moves. Tickets for the shows are on sale now, with additional dates going on sale beginning December 11. NKOTBSB dates: » 6/2 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
» 6/3 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
» 6/4 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
» 6/5 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
» 6/7 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
» 6/8 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
» 6/9 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
» 6/11 - Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
» 6/12 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center
» 6/15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Consol Energy Center
» 6/16 - Detroit, MI @ The Palace at Auburn Hills
» 6/17 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
» 6/18 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
» 6/21 - Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
» 6/22 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
» 6/24 - Lafayette, LA @ Cajondome
» 6/25 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
» 6/26 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
» 6/30 - Phoenix, AZ @ US Airways Center
» 7/1 - Los Angeles CA @ Staples Center
» 7/2 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
» 7/3 - Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events Center
» 7/8 - Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
» 7/9 - Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena Will you be catching NKOTBSB on tour this summer? Tell us in the comments!

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New Kids On The Block, Backstreet Boys Talk Upcoming Tour At AMAs

22 Nov 2010 02:15:02 EST

NKOTB's Jordan Knight says AMA performance will be "exactly what they see on the tour."
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Tim Kash

Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Superstar boy bands New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys, who each spent a segment of the '90s causing teen-girl hysteria with their squeaky-clean party jams and baby-faced good looks, are now joining forces for a U.S. tour in June.

On Sunday night (November 21), the country got a taste of what an NKOTBSB show will look like when the nine-member collective closed the 2010 American Music Awards. Before hitting the AMA stage, the fellas told MTV News that the collaborative awards-show production mirrors the staging of their upcoming trek. "It's gonna be exactly what they see on the tour," NKOTB's Jordan Knight said of the show, in which the guys took turns belting pop smashes by both groups. "I think a lot of people, when they hear New Kids are going on tour with the Backstreet Boys, they think we're gonna, like, [face] off; we're gonna be some kind of rivalry. But that's not the case. They're gonna see tonight onstage that it's a collaboration, that we get along ... and you'll see it on our performance." The amiable rapport among the crew is definitely evident when the guys talk about each band's contribution to pop music. Members of NKOTB and BSB maintain that the groups have a symbiotic relationship: The New Kids paved the way, and the Boys kept the boy-band phenomenon alive. "In many ways, they contemporize us. They brought us to the forefront," NKOTB's Joey McIntyre explained. "When the Backstreet Boys came out, at first you're like, 'OK, these guys are kinda doing their thing.' To get the credit that somehow we started [the boy-band trend] - which we didn't, 'cause there's New Edition and the Jackson 5 and this tradition's being going on forever - they kinda shed a light on what we did too, and that's nice." Nick Carter added that the "Larger Than Life" crooners were amped to hit the road with their '90s teen-idol forefathers. "We appreciate and respect everything that these guys have done for the music industry, and now it's just great to be together," he said. "I think that's what's awesome." NKOTB's resident bad boy Danny Wahlberg compared the team-up to a successful partnership straight out of Hollywood. "It's Rocky and Apollo taking out Mr. T," he quipped, as the fellas laughed. Are you excited to catch NKOTBSB on tour? Let us know in the comments!

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Backstreet Boys And New Kids On The Block Close The AMAs

21 Nov 2010 23:42:55 EST

The boy bands bring their old favorites to the American Music Awards.
By Jocelyn Vena

New Kids On The Block perform with the Backstreet Boys at the 2010 American Music Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ AMA2010/ Getty Images

They might have been the only nine guys who could close out a show as hectic as the American Music Awards. In a show filled with pop newcomers like Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys graced the stage to show they still had the right stuff.

Like any good boy-band performance, there were pyrotechnics and sweet dance moves. The pop supergroup started with a mash-up of the BSB hit "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" and the NKOTB classic "Hangin' Tough." Soon the guys slowed it down for Backstreet's "I Want It That Way" and then kicked it old school for the New Kids' "Step by Step." All nine guys took a dance break before they segued into "The Right Stuff," complete with the New Kids' infamous shuffle dance from the video. The spotlight once again fell on a BSB tune before they capped it off with "Larger Than Life," complete with an "NKOTBSB" chant. Confetti fell from the sky as the guys closed out the show. Earlier in the night, all nine guys hit the AMA red carpet together. In an interview earlier this month, they teased that there was a chance they might record a track together. "It's tough getting these guys in the studio. These young cats," New Kid Joey McIntyre explained about his tourmates, the Backstreet Boys. "Well, it's honestly, it is tough to get everybody together. Yes, we have lots of great intentions. What did you think of the New Kids/ Backstreet performance? Share your reviews in the comments!

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