[backstreet boys up-close & personal "NICK CARTER"]

It seems that the baby of the Backstreet Boys, Nick Carter, drives all the girls crazy with his innocent, boyish looks and sweet voice. Nick, or Nicky, as he is often called by his friends and family, is just a normal, down-to-earth guy who loves to joke around have have fun! When it comes to pulling pranks, Nick is the best. Maybe it's his innocent, blonde looks that deceive his friends or maybe he's just really good at playing practical jokes. Amongst the band, Nick's pranks have become legendary. Who gave BSB's manager Donna a piece of gum that tasted like fish? Nick. Who stole all AJ's clothes one night from his hotel room? Nick. Who was the first one to start a cake fight at a very fancy party? Once again, Nick. "I'm definitely the prankster of the group," says the blonde one with a smirk. "I like to do anything I can think of to these guys." Even though the guys have good senses of humor and take Nick's pranks in stride, they have been known to take revenge on the little jokester. "Once, we threw him out of the dressing room in his underwear in front of a whole bunch of girls," recalls Brian. "He got really mad, but it was funny!" Aside from the jokes, Nick's all business when it comes to the band. He puts his heart and soul into the group and hopes that their success goes on forever. "I think everyone has a dream they want to fulfill in like and I think this is our dream," he says seriously. "We wanted to make it happen and that's what we did. And we enjoy every minute of it and we take everyday like it's our last." Even as a child in diapers, Nick would amuse his family and customers at his dad's Yankee Rebel Lounge by bustin' a move. His rambunctious personality and love of being the center of attention kept his parents busy. When Nick was in fouth grade, his family decided to relocate to Tampa Bay area of Florida and it was there that the young singer began channeling his excess energy into dancing, singing and even some acting. One of Nick's very first roles was playing the lead in Phantom of the Opera and soon after that, his talent was becoming noticed. He got a two-year stint singing during the Tampa Bay Buccaneer's halftime show and also won the New Original Amateur Hour in 1992. By the time Nick turned 15, he had done a few commercials and was interested in moving on to bigger projects. While Nick was auditioning for a TV series at the Nickelodean studios, he met Howie Dorough and AJ McLean. Eventually, this trio was joined by cousins Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell and the Backstreet Boys were born. So, what are Nick's plans for the future? Like the rest of his bandmates, Nick is intent on improving his skills as a singer, dancer and musician.