The End of the (Pop) World As We Know It
Gary Simms, staff writer
Is this the end for the Backstreet Boys? It's a question that's been asked many times before, but each time the Boys have come through for their fans, emerging with a new CD, a new video, a new something to keep the momentum going. Can they do it again?
Reports have the Boys spread out to the four corners of the earth in terms of how varied their individual projects have been, and there have been only the faintest rumblings of a new album in the near future, let alone a new tour.
Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough have both shown up in various parts of the country, doing appearances to support their respective charities. Only rarely have any of their bandmates joined them to show their support.
Brian Littrell has been on set with his wife (aspiring actress Leighanne Littrell) more often than not. AJ McLean, made notorious by his stint in rehab last year, seems to have gone underground, surfacing only a handful of times and never with his bandmates. One has to wonder just what he's up to, so far from the public eye, and whether his addiction problems are going to resurface along with him.
But it's Nick Carter, the youngest of the Boys, who's the biggest enigma right now. There was talk about a solo project for a while, but in the last few weeks, Nick Carter seems to have dropped off the face of the planet. Either there's a big, secret project in the works, or this Boy is down for the count.
So what does it all add up to? The shelf life of a pop group grows shorter and shorter with each group of fresh faces that shows up on the charts; too much time out of the public eye spells disaster. Whether that's a fate that will befall the Backstreet Boys, only time will tell.
For Spears, Life Goes On
By Mary Blackwelder
Contributing writer/The Times-Picayune
Mere weeks after her much-publicized split with 'Nsync front man Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears has put herself back on the market. Recently she has spotted around town on the arm of a new man, identified only as a member of her tour. There was no mistaking the fact that the pair were something more than friends.
In a recent, surprisingly candid interview with MTV, Spears talked about her new world tour, plans for her album, and life after Justin Timberlake. It was refreshing to see a genuine not-a-girl-not-yet-a-woman emerge from the pop icon façade. It's hard for anyone to cope with the end of their first serious relationship, let alone do it with the world watching. Spears seems to be doing it with grace and maturity, and admitting the difficulty of it at the same time as she takes her first tentative steps forward.
Surprisingly absent from the interview, however, was any mention of the storm of controversy that surrounded the breakup, which mostly centered on Justin's alleged extra-curricular relationships with members of the same sex. In recent weeks not only has Justin not been connected to any new love interest -- not all that much of a surprise given the many projects currently demanding his attention -- but he's barely surfaced at all, even in connection with those same projects. Both things only lend credibility to the accusations, rightfully or not.
When asked about the subject, in a separate interview, Britney said only, "That's Justin's business. He's still a friend and he's dear to my heart, but it's not my business to talk about his personal life, not anymore."
Surprising many of her critics, the break-up seems to have given Britney a new view of her life and her fame. Still the always-fashionable pop star, she has not only demonstrated a broader perspective in recent days but is showing signs of greater discretion. Britney may be a woman sooner than she thinks.
BLIND ITEM #2
Which teen hearthrob, who recently parted ways with his equally famous girlfriend, was spotted dancing up a storm at a gay Florida nightclub? Observers have the pretty young thing getting hot and heavy with another man on the edge of the dance floor before disappearing into the bathroom for a lot longer than it takes to drain the lake, if you know what I mean.