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When the Backstreet Boys floated into sold-out arenas on hoverboards throughout 1999’s Into the Millennium tour, it grew to become a defining second of ’90s pop live shows. Those that witnessed the spectacle would develop lifelong nostalgia for the present, whereas followers who missed out would perpetually remorse doing so.
So, because the members of the boy band work on reimagining the tour for his or her upcoming residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, followers are desirous to see the return of the hoverboards, and in an unique interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Howie Dorough doesn’t rule out related strikes.
“I can’t say if we’ll have hoverboards, however we’re doing a present that’s going to be Sphere-worthy, so there will certainly be some diversifications of the unique tour, and it’s nearly determining what works within the venue,” Dorough stated whereas attending the Wine Girls and Sneakers fundraiser in Irvine, Calif. “We haven’t gotten too far into manufacturing and choreography, however we’ll be testing out what works and doesn’t work in there.
“The present is predicated round Millennium although, so we’re positively going to deliver individuals again in time, and in the event that they didn’t see that present prior to now, it’s an opportunity to see a creation of it, Sphere-style.”
As for who within the band (Dorough, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and AJ McLean) is trigger for concern relating to dangerous strikes like flying or browsing, Dorough feels assured he might take to the Sphere skies with ease.
“Me and AJ are the most certainly to fall,” he admitted. “However I’ve to say, when me, Kevin and Brian went browsing in Newport Seaside years in the past, I used to be the primary one to rise up on the surfboard!”
Dorough shared that the “Bigger Than Life” singers are at the moment working with “wonderful, super-talented” inventive director and producer Baz Halpin, who additionally labored on The Eagles’ Sphere residency present, UFC Noche and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
Having attended one in every of The Eagles’ exhibits in Vegas, Dorough’s getting used to the thought of making a live performance with so many alternative components.
“We noticed The Eagles and Don Henley described it like, ‘You’re going to be the soundtrack to this film that’s enjoying behind you guys,’” Dorough shared. “Numerous the present is in regards to the screens. We’ve simply filmed a number of the content material that will probably be proven on the screens, so it’s going to be a really totally different present to our norm and the primary time we’ve completed a present that’s immersive with screens behind us.”
The Grammy-nominated band, who beforehand broke information with their Bigger Than Life residency at Planet Hollywood, have additionally reunited with longtime choreographers Wealthy and Tone Talauega. A clip shared on social media confirmed Littrell’s mother and father Harold and Jackie slow-dancing whereas the group rehearsed their strikes for 2001 ballad “Drowning.”
As for the way Millennium favorites like “Spanish Eyes” will probably be integrated, Dorough stated the band remains to be working by the set record.
“We’re speaking about making the Millennium document the present, which is a problem, and that will solely be an hour, so we’re attempting to do a few of our favorites and fan favorites as nicely,” he stated. “I’m a giant stickler for ensuring we do stuff that not solely excites us, however makes followers really feel glad and like they obtained their cash’s value.”
Sphere isn’t the one place Dorough has been getting inventive recently. The musician continues to help his spouse, Leigh Dorough, and her enterprise companion, Charlotte Wienckoski, with Eslla, a luxurious purse line they launched in 2022.
The vegan, cruelty-free line is made with cactus leather-based, and celebs together with Alicia Silverstone, Eve Harlow and Chaley Rose have been snapped with the purses. Dorough was available to assist public sale off a signed Eslla purse on the Wine Girls and Sneakers fundraiser, with the successful bid ($3,300) benefiting First Tee Orange County, a nonprofit that works to enhance youth improvement by golf classes.
So, what does a Backstreet Boy find out about purses?
“I understand how to be a great, supportive husband — and maintain it!” laughed Dorough, who has two sons with Leigh, 16-year-old James and 12-year-old Holden. “I believe for ladies, purses, sneakers and sun shades can increase the nice, optimistic vitality and moods. These are the issues my spouse likes!
“I’m pleased with what she’s attempting to do with giving individuals another choice, to purchase stuff that’s extra environmentally aware and cruelty-free. She’s completed one thing very forward-thinking for our planet and I’m pleased with her designs and her eye and what they’ve put collectively.”
In the meantime, Dorough and his brother John Dorough have been busy with actual property improvement initiatives, having simply opened a Hyatt Place property with a rooftop bar in Cape Canaveral, Fla., in addition to a condominium complicated, The Surf, at Cocoa Seaside. The Surf has an oceanfront restaurant Coa, plus Coa Lounge, the place followers will discover enjoyable Backstreet Boys touches like a cocktail referred to as You Are … My Fiiire, which is offered lit in flames.
The Florida brothers have been growing actual property within the space for years, however bars and eating places had been a pure development, given the musician’s love for meals. It’s a ardour that sparked his “Howie Eatz” occasion sequence, the place he dines with followers in cities the place the Backstreet Boys are touring.
“I’ve completed Howie Eatz as a result of I simply love meals,” he stated. “I’ve to do Backstreet Boys on the similar time, so I can lose all that weight that I acquire from all of the consuming!”
Now, he’s proudly bringing his 32 years of worldwide consuming adventures dwelling to Florida to assist elevate the native eating scene.
“I really like Brevard County, and it’s an awesome place to boost a household, however the one factor we’re missing is culinary choices, so having the ability to deliver one thing to the world has been nice,” he stated. “We’re educating individuals with their palates and have this wonderful chef [Eric Basta] who’s traveled the world and fuses totally different culinary types collectively, like Asian and Italian.
“And the mixologist is pairing stuff you wouldn’t even consider collectively, like Yuzu, which is utilized in Japanese meals. It’s positively a expertise!”
