Howard Dwaine Dorough was born August 22, 1973 in Orlando, Florida. He was the fifth child to Hoke and Paula Dorough. There is ten years difference between him and the next youngest sibling.

Throughout elementary school he took voice and acting lessons. He performed in many musicals and school plays. In High School, he entered a Talent Show and received a standing ovation. He also was in many school TV shows...such as Macho and Camacho. He went to College for 1-2 years studying the arts.

Then, through a mutual vocal coach, he met AJ, and they became quick friends.

They bumped into each other and Nick at auditions all the time. They started singing together, and got Lou Pearlmans attention. He saw they had talent and got together with managers Donna and Johnny Wright. They expanded the group with Kevin and Brian, and the Backstreet boys were started.