Interview from Smash Hits May 1999

Everyone dreams of a glamorous life as a pop star, but the pressure and work can get a bit much sometimes. Stephen tells us how he coped with the hard times...

What's been the hardest thing about being in Boyzone?
Early mornings, and an awful lot of travelling which can be very tiring. I find it difficult not having any privacy as well. A couple of years ago all I did was stay in all the time and get down in the dumps because I couldn't really handle it. But these days I just go out and have a laugh and I don't care what people think.

Do you ever get hassled?
No, I go to places where I know I wont get hassled. I hate clubs, and if you go out to parties that are full of people in the business, people talk behind your back. Have I felt let down by people? (Sadly) Yeah, a lot of people have let me down. But I've learnt a lot.

Has anyone ever shouted nasty things at you in the street?
(Nods.) Sometimes I'll be walking along the street and people my age wilt start slagging me, (shocked) and even older people actually. It really used to get to me, but now I look out for myself. Nobody else is going to live my life for me, so why should I care what they think? I don't need to answer to anybody I don't want to. I'm 23 years of age and I live life by my own rules.

What helped you through the hard times?
I started reading books because I was getting so down. I'd have to be all happy in interviews and then I'd get home and realise, 'God, I'm so empty. Where am I in life? Where am I going?' So I started reading a lot of spiritual books. I read The Game Of Life And How To Play It and Conversations With God (also Kavana's favourite) and it was brilliant. I also have acupuncture which relieves stress. I get eight needles stuck in every month or so, and they put little clamps on the end which make the needles more potent. It rejuvenates you by unblocking your energy blocks, so you don't feel so stressed out.

Have any of your friends let you down since you've become famous?
(Looks disappointed.) To be honest, I've lost a lot of confidence with friends, and I used to feel lonely at times. I don't have a lot of friends. I have the lads and I have my family and a few other friends. It's such a busy life that when I do go home, I just call a couple of mates over and sit in the garden and have some wine and watch the river go by.

Have you found it hard to trust people?
I do, but I find it easier to trust people within the business because they understand what you're going through. For instance yesterday, I was talking to Geri HalliweIl and she's lovely. I also know Shaznay from All Saints quite well. But I've always been a bit of a loner, and I like to have time to myself to watch TV and lie in the bath.

You said that you use to feel lonely, how did you deal with that?
These days I'll go to my sister's or I'll go shopping - you cant beat shopping therapy. If I'm miserable I'll go out and buy a stereo or something. I've got twelve stereos in my house now!

Has there ever been a time when you've thought, 'That's it, I'm going to leave'?
(Immediately) Yes. If I've bad a really bad time I've thought 'I can't do it today. I can't do it anymore.' It's such a demanding job and you can't just take a week off when you feel like it. (Thinks.) But I don't think I've ever seriously thought that I want to go, it's just been a case of wanting to got away for a while.

What's been the lowest point of your career?
Not wanting to get up in the mornings. Y'know, being annoyed with myself and not feeling good about myself. Generally it's mostly high points though, and I'm very lucky because I come from a poor part of Dublin, from a poor family that had no money. I've gone into a job where I've made a lot of money and I've been able to do something incredible with my life. I'm very proud. So the major high points are definitely better than the lows.

Have you got any regrets about Boyzone?
(Shrugs.) I think everyone has regrets about their life, but I have none about the band. I don't regret joining. I don't regret singing any songs, and think that everything that's happened to us has happened for a reason and it's got better and better. It's mad that after six years we can still be successful. How can I regret something like that?

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