Are you happy with the Backstreet Boys' squeaky-clean image?
No. I'd rather we could be ourselves more, express ourselves more. I'm starting to be that way as much as I can. I'm not saying we should go to extremes and have green hair or anything, just that we could be more open-minded and have a little say about things - especially what we wear. It's happening slowly but surely.

Would people be shocked if they knew what you get up to behind the scenes?
I think they'd be really shocked. They'd be shocked just to know what we're like when we're chilling out at home. I don't think it would make our fans like us any less--I just think they'd sit back and have a laugh. We're five guys-five single guys-and those of us who live on our own get a little crazy sometimes. Y'know, I live with Brian and we party our little butts off!

If you could be anyone else in the band for a day, who would it be, and why?
In this band? Oh, wow, that's tough. You know what? I'd like to be Nick, just to experience life as a 'superstar' through the eyes of a 17-year-old. To feel what he feels when we're on stage and someone introduces him as Nick Carter. I think it'd be weird to be in his position at 17 and be looked upon as a teen idol. There's got to be peer pressure involved, but then again, it's got to be pretty cool, hah!

What's the biggest sacrifice you've ever made for the band?
(Seriously) I think...my right kidney. (Breaks into a grin). Nah, just not being at home, being away from everybody. Things have gotten to the point where I might as well not even had an apartment back home, 'cos I'm paying out the butt in rent but I'm never there!

Does it all ever get too much?
Yes and no. When we're on tour, we want to go home, but when we're home for, say, more than three or four days, we start climbing the walls and want to get back on the road.

Do you think you're good-looking?
Do you think I'm good-looking? (That's not the question, AJ!) I can't answer that. (OK then, yeah.) Well, there you go. I mean, I think I'm OK. There are a couple of things I wouldn't mind changing, like my nose! I've got a big nose. And I'd get a couple of body piercings, if I could find the time and had the guts to do it! I'd like to get one right here (pinches bottom lip) and in my right eyebrow. A nipple would be possible, too!

Do you ever wish your mum didn't travel anywhere with you?
No, I like it. It's more like having a big sister there -- she lets me do whatever I want. She's very down-to-earth and cool. I'mg lad she's like that, 'cos if she wasn't, it might make things a little uncomfortable. She's a little mom for the others, too.

Are you as tough as you look?
Mentally, yes. Physically...erm, I can hang on for a little while, but I'd probably get the crap beaten out of me in a good fight.

Describe your first sexual experience...
Wow! Erm,I was 16 and it was kind of weird 'cos it was more like a rushed situation. It was a wonderful thing and it was all done right, but it wasn't with someone whom I had a strong relationship with at the time. We did actually end up getting into one, though. It was a little awkward at first, but it was cool and I liked it! I'd do it again...

You have a reputation as being a bit of a ladies' man. How trustworthy are you?
Hmmm, when I'm in love I'm very trustworthy. But when I'm not sure about it, I may just go out and have my fun. Y'know, I'm only 20 and I've still got a lot to learn about love and relationships. But the next girlfriend I find-wherever she may be-I'll wanna settle down with. Not get married, just have a commitment.

What turns you on?
In a woman? Doh, of course! Her eyes. And I love women with long fingernails 'cos it feels good on my body. I like a woman who isn't afraid to do something on the spur of the moment - like go skydiving, or white-water rafting, or make love naked on a beach in Tahiti. Something just totally off the wall!

Have you ever snogged a fan?
No, I haven't - unless they'd lied to me and made out they're a regular person. I've kissed fans on the cheek, but I've never officially, properly snogged a fan!

Do you ever think the Backstreet Boys are too good to be true?
(Chuckling) I'm not sure what you mean! Sometimes I think it's too good to be true being in one of the most popular bands in the world and having the privilege of travelling all over the place, performing to so many wonderful people and hanging out with the best bunch of guys. But if you mean that we're a bit too clean-cut, you probably don't know us that well!

What's the difference between Brian Littrell and Brian Backstreet?
Hmmmm... Brian Littrell is a bit more serious sometimes and thinks about stuff a little more. Because I'm writing songs now, some of Brian Littrell comes into the writing and sort of becomes Brian Backstreet. Also, Brian Littrell likes to sleep in more than Brian Backstreet is allowed to!

When was the last time you fell out with one of the guys, and why?
It was with Howie, actually. On the Canadian tour, we had a fluffy toy sheep on the bus and we called it Barbara. Anyway, we used to put it in each other's bed for a joke, and one day when I was feeling really tired and a bit grumpy, Howie started trying to keep me awake by hitting me with the sheep, so I just snapped at him. I regretted it afterwards. You can't stay angry with D, because he's such a great guy. He never get's angry!

Have you ever felt like giving it all up and leaving the band?
You always have those rare occasions where you're on your own in some hotel room a long way from home and you're completely exhausted. You know that the next day you have to get up at, like, 5am and get on the bus and travel for seven hours. Then you get to another hotel room and you think to yourself, 'Why am I doing this?' But then you do a show and see how happy everyone is to be there and you just feel like the luckiest guy in the world to be able to lead that kind of life.

What's it like living with AJ?
(Thinks) Well, we're rarely at home any more, so I've almost forgotten. We're both fairly good with the housework, though. He'll make someone a good husband one day!

Which of your emotions are you most in touch with?
Fear... of the next question!

Who was the last person you kissed?
Barbara the sheep! (We said 'person'!) Oh, then it would have to be Nick's mom - on the cheek when we hooked up for Nick's birthday bash!

Which Backstreet Boy are you closest to, and why?
Nick, simply because we're best mates. Even though he's a few years younger than me, he's like a brother to me. If I'm having a tough time, he's always there to have a good talk. That's what friends are for.

Do you miss having relationships?
(A little sadly) Yep. I mean, it would be really hard to keep a relationship going with our schedule. Some of us tried it in the early days, but it just didn't work out. It's not fair to expect someone to wait for you when you're away from home for months on end.

What turns you on?
Girls. (He grins cheekily.)

What's been your most passionate experience to date?
Oh man! It was a long time ago, I can tell you that much! (We probe deeper.) It was over a year ago. I don't want to go into details, but there was a sauna involved!

What's your favourite part of a woman's body?
Her face. I really like faces, especially eyes and mouths. But, of course, if they don't have a really good personality I'm just not interested.

How do your religious beliefs affect your pop lifestyle?
They don't really affect at all, you know. We don't really buy into the whole rock'n'roll myth of trashing hotel rooms and stuff like that, but that's not because we don't see the point of smashing up stuff when you'll only have to pay for it in the morning?

Do you want to have a family one day?
Definately. I could probably settle down in about ten years' time. I'll still be making music, hopefully, but it would be great to record songs during the day and then go home to a wife and kids and say, 'Hi, honey, I'm home from a tough day in the studio!'

When did you last have a cry?
A couple of weeks ago when I got back to Kentucky to see my family. It has been a long time and I'd missed them a whole lot.

What one thing would improve your life?
A subscription to Smash Hits! Apart from that? Hmm, let me think... Well, it'd be great to have a bit more time to myself so that I could just hang out at home and see my family and friends more than I do at present. But really, being in the Backstreet Boys is like having a second family, and I wouldn't change that for anything

You guys seem to work non-stop these days - are there times when you feel overworked?
I'm a workaholic, so I keep going until my Energizer batteries run out! Every once in a while, there are periods when our schedules get a little bit crazy and it's like people forget we're only human! But, like I say, I love to work. This is my life and I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

Do you know each other's secrets?
Yeah, we all confide in each other a lot - we're like brothers. I don't think there's any information about any of us that the others don't know. We know which buttons to push, we know about each other's private lives, we know about secrets...we know everything! It's cool.

Do you ever need to spend time on your own?
I'm a real people person, but sometimes it's weird because the only time I have my own space is when I go to bed at night. But I also get bored and lonely easily if I'm on my own too long. If I'm hanging around my house back home, I'll call AJ or Kevin and ask them if they wanna do something. I like being around people.

So who's your best friend in the Backstreet Boys?
Wow, it's really hard to pick just one best friend 'cos we all have such different qualities within ourselves. I probably turn to Kevin or AJ most, because we're the most alike. We go out together to clubs and stuff. We have the same kind of personalities.

Are there ever arguments?
Sure, hahaha! We're like brothers - we have our good and bad moments. Brian, Nick and I sometimes clash when it comes to the amount of work we do. That's just own different personalities and that's what makes us who we are.

Do you ever feel jealous that Nick gets the most attention?
(Laughs) I think there's enough room for all of us. He's the youngest and most of our audience is around his age. If I was their age and I was a girl, I'd probably go after Nick. I mean, they may look at me and Kevin and think we're too old!

Have you ever thought of leaving the band and going solo?
We've all talked about what we want to do in the future, and what we'd do if we got offers for solo projects, be it singing or acting. We've all said it'd be a group decision and we'd do whatever benefits the group most. It could mean all of us taking time out to do solo stuff and then coming back together. There's enough room for all of us to shine and to have everything we want in life.

Are you as sweet as people say?
I don't know! The guys nicknamed me 'Sweet D' cos they say I have a big heart. I grew up with a big family , so I've always had a lot of love around me. I've never wanted to hurt people's feelings.

Don't you ever feel like being more rock 'n' roll?
I guess my hair is about as rock 'n' roll as I get! I never thought I'd have an earring, so I'd say this business really opens your eyes to change. But I feel comfortable with the way I am, so I don't want to change too drastically.

Do you still get homesick?
Yeah, I do, but I've always had a really fast-paced lifestyle, so I'm kinda used to life on the road. I miss my family, my Mum's home cooking and my bed, but these days our fans are like our family, and the rest of the guys are like another family to me.

What one thing would improve the quality of your life?
(Thinks for a bit) Erm , decisiveness. If I could make decisions really quickly, and not have to spend as much time contemplating them , I'd have a better life because I'd 'get a lot more accomplished.

Have you ever been in love?
Sure. What does it feel like? It's a good feeling. It's a great feeling knowing somebody loves you , especially someone outside your family - someone who has a deeper inner love for you. It's a little bit frightening too, as you don't know exactly how long it's going to last. It's especially hard with my career, y'know, trying to find somebody who'll put up with my schedule. Right now, I'm putting love on the back burner. My love is my career, and there' ll be time for a settled relationship later on.

When did you first learn about sex?
(Shocked) Wow, what kind of...? Wow! I've never been asked that before! Ummm, I guess I learnt things from my friends, but there wasn't any particular age when I learned everything! This is the '90s, and I think sex is talked about a lot more openly, which is a good thing. At least people aren't naive and they're aware of how they can protect themselves.

Do you want kids one day?
Oh yeah, definitely. I can't see it happening in the near future because my career's really taken of. Planning a family definitely takes timing. I'd hate to have a kid and not be able to be there for him all the time. When I do get married and have a family, I want to be able to devote all my time to them.

What's the hardest thing about the age gap between you and Nick?
Sometimes Nick's attention span is a little short, but I'm not sure if it's down to the age gap, or just because of the kind of person he is. I like to work, get stuff done and then go play, whereas Nick likes to work and play at the same time. We have very different personalities, but that doesn't cause massive problems or anything.

What's the difference between Kevin Richardson and Kevin Backstreet?
It depends. Sometimes I'll run things by Howie, or Brian, or AJ. And occasionally Nick and I will talk about things he's going through. I also talk to my big brothers when I go home 'cos they're my best friends.

Who do you talk to when things get on top of you?
It depends. Sometimes I'll run things by Howie, or Brian, or AJ. And occasionally Nick and I will talk about things he's going through. I also talk to my big brothers when I go home 'cos they're my best friends.

Have you ever felt like giving it all up and leaving the band?
There are times when I'm on the road and it gets frustrating. Sometimes I miss home, or I'll not be getting on with the other guys. There have been times when I've thought, 'Maybe this isn't for me.' It's not always easy, but the feeling fades and it all blows over. I think you need to go through times like that to appreciate what you've got.

Do your strong religious beliefs prevent you from having fun?
No. The fact that I was brought up the way I was just instilled certain morals in me and certain ways I feel in my heart. I always make decisions based on how my heart feels.

Have you ever been in love?
(Cagily) Uh-huh. When? It was like four or five years ago, and it felt great. I felt like I was totally happy when I was with this person.

Have you ever had your heart broken?
Yeah, when I was in eighth grade in high school I took a girl to a dance and as soon as we got there she ran off. I really liked her. She was a lot older than me and I had a massive crush on her, so I guess she kind of broke my heart.

Is it tough not being able to have relationships?
Yeah, it gets lonely. Sometimes you wonder what people's motivation is when they're sucking up to you - you wonder whether they're being genuine. All these people who, in the beginning, wouldn't have given you the time of day suddenly start kissing round you. We just stick with the people who were there in the beginning- they keep us grounded and real.

How do you deal with the loneliness?
When we're out on the road, we have each other. Occasionally, we'll party and maybe meet someone and try to date them. We also try to date girls when we're back home. It's not easy, but...well, that's just the way it is. The loneliest times are when you're lying in your hotel bed late at night and you wish you had someone there to cuddle and watch TV with you. I miss the everyday relationship-type things.

Do you want to settle down eventually and have a family?
I definitely want that someday, because I come from a big family. I love kids - everytime I see a baby, I'm like, 'Aaaaahh.' When I was at the airport yesterday, a lady asked if I'd have my picture taken with her baby because I was playing with her so much. (Thinks) Yeah, I definitely want a family someday.

Do you ever feel like telling your fans to leave you?
Sometimes I have to say, 'Hey, calm down or my security will take me away!' I never get angry if I see them out - if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here. But if I'm asleep in my hotel room and a fan calls...well, that's a different matter!

When you're old, what will you remember most about the Backstreet Boys?
There are tons of great things. Probably just the fact I got to see the world, to see so many happy faces and make a lot of people happy.

What's been your happiest moment?
Oh, that's really hard - I've had so many great moments. One of them was when we signed our record deal. Another was when we won our first award - it was actually a Smash Hits award. And winning five Smash Hits awards last year as well... I mean, how cool was that?!

interviews with 16 Magazine, Aashna, Sonia Benezra