Backstreet Boys to make long-awaited return to Las Vegas after release of new album
THEY enjoyed a hit two-year Las Vegas residency in 2019 and now the Backstreet Boys are planning a return to Sin City.
I can reveal that the US band, who have just brought their outstanding DNA tour to the UK, want to go back to Planet Hollywood for a longer stint.
In an exclusive interview with the group’s AJ McLean and Brian Littrell, the lads-turned-dads revealed they liked the desert-based venue as it was near their families in LA.
Brian said: “We loved Vegas as you can settle in and it’s like you just show up to the office. You don’t forget where you are performing, you don’t have to remember the name of the city. We’re planning on going back.”
AJ added: “Hopefully we are going back to do another residency, to play for a little longer.
"Those types of shows are easier on us as a band — there is no travel involved. If I want to leave Vegas, it’s only a 40-minute flight back to LA.
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“I even moved my mum out there about five years ago and, when I go visit her, I see a whole new side.
"It’s beautiful, residential, fun, it’s warm and there is a plethora of beautiful golf courses. It’s so much more than just the strip.”
AJ also enjoys a flutter when he is in town, adding: “I’ve dialled it back, but for me it’s either poker or blackjack.
“I’ve got the same table at Planet Hollywood I’ve played at since we started the residency. The same two dealers — if they’re not working, I won’t play. I have not lost yet on that table.”
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The band — which also includes Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough — are enjoying playing now more than ever as they approach their 30th anniversary next year and have been bonding over golf.
‘Having fun together’
AJ said: “Every day we have off, three or four of us are on the golf course, going for dinner together and having a lot more fun together as a group.”
They have just put out their first festive album, A Very Backstreet Christmas, and, having already released Wham! cover Last Christmas, they are gearing up for their second single, Christmas In New York.
Brian excitedly tells me about the clay mini-me figurines planned for their upcoming video.
He said: “We did a claymation video. It’s going to be adorable — we had to approve our little characters.”
AJ added: “Four of the five look like us, except Howie, who looks like Marc Anthony. We have to fix his facial hair.”
Kylie looks wizard as the tin man
YOU can’t help but take a shine to Kylie Jenner in this Tin Man outfit.
She launched her Wizard of Oz make-up collection on the Kylie Cosmetics Instagram page with the caption: “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.”
Kylie recently confessed she has yet to legally change her baby boy’s name – after originally calling him Wolf – but is not ready to reveal his new moniker.
The reality star, who also has four-year-old daughter Stormi with rapper Travis Scott, decided to change the name as “it didn’t feel like it was him”.
Asked what they call the little lad, Kylie revealed there is a name but the family are “just not ready to share yet”.
How about Tintin?
Not so groovy
GROOVE Armada turned down the chance to collaborate with Elton John – because they were too busy.
The DJ duo are kicking themselves for missing out on the career opportunity of a lifetime.
Promoting the pair’s GA25 – a career-spanning 25th anniversary box set – Andy Cato confessed: “Our biggest regret is turning Elton down.
He was a big fan of our album Vertigo, and he called up when we were in the studio asking us if we’d like to work on some tracks together – and we turned him down.
“To be fair, we were in the middle of recording an album at the time.”
Oops, what might have been . . .
Bloom at the Hilton
PARIS Hilton looks blooming great in a neon floral mini dress at the launch of her Paris World virtual land in California.
The socialite and singer, who was joined by entrepreneur hubby Carter Reum, dazzled at Friday night’s bash in Santa Monica.
She recently hinted her new single was just around the corner, saying: “I’ve been writing a lot of music.”
A source said: “Paris has been working with amazing producers. She can’t wait for people to hear her sound.”
No doubt she’ll blossom.
Cruz takes it to the max
CRUZ Beckham's music career continues to gather pace.
I can reveal Posh and Becks' youngest son, who released If Everyday Was Christmas six years ago, has been strumming on a mandolin and spent the past few months in the studio with pop mastermind Max Wolfgang.
British super-producer Max, who has written for Little Mix, Rudimental and Kylie Minogue, was also behind Sam Ryder's Eurovision mega-hit Space Man.
My source tells me: “Cruz was blown away by Sam’s performance at Eurovision and felt Max’s style of writing would work with the vibe he’s going for, and asked if he could arrange a session.
“Max heard some of the demos Cruz has been working on and was very excited to be involved. He was surprised by his musical talent.”
Cruz, right, has been busy – recently signing to Ellie Goulding's music agent Tap Management and getting live music inspiration at gigs, including Kendrick's Lamar's thrilling London O2 show this week.
Hopefully, it’ll be Cruz one day.
Sinitta's search for romance
SINITTA famously gets her age all wrong and it seems the forgetful singer’s memory needs jogging.
I can reveal she is looking for love on the dating app Raya – but has shaved five years off, claiming she is 54.
Sinitta is taking a two-pronged attack in her search for romance, as she’s also on E4’s Celebs Go Dating.
Her profile, which demands potential matches adore her toy poodle Scarlett, shows a series of sexy snaps and reveals: “I’m a diva on stage, but not in real life.
"Spiritual, healthy eating and fitness. I enjoy city hustle but equally kicking back in nature.”
Sinitta, who previously dated Simon Cowell and Brad Pitt, has admitted to overlooking her age in the past.
Well, it is just a number.
LIVE: Lil Nas X in Amsterdam
LIL NAS X’s wild, energetic show was reminiscent of a psychedelic fairytale as he took to the stage for his Long Live Montero Tour.
Wearing enough sparkles to be seen from space, the singer and his eight dancers twerked and gyrated through a breathtaking 70-minute set on Tuesday. They paused only briefly due to a technical issue with a mechanical horse.
Crowd favourite Old Town Road was mashed with Ginuwine's Pony amid Magic Mike-esque dance moves.
With lavish, eye-popping backdrops, he took the audience on a journey to space, a Cinderella-style ballroom, the Wild West and even hell before inviting fans on stage to “shake their ass”.
Call Me By Your Name and Industry Baby brought the house down before Lil Nas returned in a silver jumpsuit to close with a spectacular laser show, set to his latest single Star Walkin’.
Long Live Montero indeed.
LIVE: Backstreet Boys at the O2, London
TO say the London leg of their DNA world tour was emotional is an understatement.
The five-piece delivered a polished 32-track set, a day after the death of Nick Carter's younger brother Aaron was announced.
Despite the charged atmosphere, these pop pros put on a perfectly executed performance with sharp moves, impeccable harmonies and bangers galore.
They opened with 2000 album track Everyone. But it wasn’t until a few songs later, during Incomplete, that tears started to stream down Nick’s face.
The lads were grateful for fans’ long-term support.
Kevin Richardson said: “The first time we toured the UK, we opened for Ant & Dec on the Smash Hits tour. We have memories.”
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As they effortlessly integrated new material with old anthems, including All I Have to Give, Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) and I Want It That Way, it was magic to see the greatest boy band on the planet in action.
They finished the explosive gig with Larger Than Life – and in those final moments, they certainly seemed it.