The Backstreet Boys have cracked the code to staying together for 30 years—and spoiler alert: it's their kids.
Nick Carter, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, and Kevin Richardson all agree that fatherhood has been the secret weapon behind their 30-year run. "We all now know about balance," AJ told E! News at The One Party by Uber in New York City on June 12. "Family comes first. We try to balance our work and our personal lives."
Kevin said the effect directly: "Having kids has changed all of our lives for the better." Nick kept it simple: "We do everything for our children, now." Howie noted that becoming a dad made them all more conscious of others while navigating life on the road.
The band's support system at home has been essential. "Hard work, communication, teamwork, sacrificing for each other, supporting one another, good support structure at home," Kevin said when asked how they've managed three decades together. "We got five great women that have supported everything we've done. Our families, good management, great fans, good music, hard work, heart and soul."
As Father's Day approaches, the boys are carving out quality time with their kids. AJ shares daughters Elliott, 13, and Lyric, 9, with estranged wife Rochelle McLean. Nick has three kids with wife Lauren Kitt Carter: Odin, 10, Saoirse, 6, and Pearl, 5. Howie shares sons James, 17, and Holden, 13, with wife Leigh Dorough. Kevin has sons Mason, 19, and Maxwell, 12, with wife Kristin Richardson.
Brian Littrell's son Baylee, 23, is working in the music business. "As fathers, that's all we do," Brian said, "is support our kids no matter what they do. It doesn't matter; we love them anyway."
