Sports-loving, soft spoken Brian Littrell is the Backstreet Boy most likely to shy away from the spotlight--unless, of course, he's on stage.
CAPTION **JUST A REGULAR GUY...Even though Brian's a superstar today, he doesn't see thing that way. "My logic to it all is that my life is no different from anybody else's, except for four or five feet," he says. "That four or five feet is how tall the stage is."**
CAPTION **SPORTY STUFF...Besides singing, this natural-born athlete almost had a serious career in basketmall. "I'm a big basketball fan. I played basketball in highschool," he says. "I was hoping to maybe play basketball (in college) and be normal!"
Brian Littrell is so down-to-earth. When you speak to him, his attention is completely on you. He looks in your eyes and answers thoughtfully when talking about his past, present and future. "I never dreamed of being a star or anything," he reveals. Recently, Brian's had to get used to the Backstreet Boys' success going throuhg the roof! But it's definitely not going to his head. "When I spet off the stage," he says, "I'm like anyone else."
The 23-year-old Lexington, Kentucky native (his b-day is February 20_ and younger cousin of fellow BSB member Kevin has always had a passion for singing. "I grew up in a big Baptist church and ever since I could walk I was singing." As a little kid, Brian's beautiful voice could be heard belting out religious and pop tunes. To everyone who knew him, he seemed destined for fame one day.
His big break came when Kevin, who was working down in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World, made a fateful phone call to Brian asking him to join a new group he was in. Soon, the Backstreet Boys--beginning with Howie and AJ, who started things up, followed by Nick, then Kevin and Brian--were born.
Away from the bright lights of the concert stage, Brian has always been known for being mellow and quiet. He's actually quite shy. But get him performing and it's a completely different story! His gorgeous voice is spotlighted on songs like "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long As You Love Me," whigh feature Brian's awesome lead vocals. But he never showboats or tries to take attention away from the other Backstreet Boys--he's definitely a team player.
"We want to be perceived as five guys who love to sing, love to perform, who love to share the gifts of music that we have with the whole world," he says. For him, being in the group is one of the most important things in his life. "You just glance out into the audience, and the lights go out, and the lighters come on...It's just such a fulfillment inside, seeing all these people. Then you look out and they're singing every word from every song--it's like, they came to see us? Then you're excited."
When Brian's not performing, he's known for his love of sports! You name it, he plays it--football, basketball, water skiing, weight lifting or Nintendo sports games. Best bud Nick is his favourite teammate. The two of them can often be found chilling out together or competing in a friendly game of hoops! They're the most likely to be found busting on each other, too. Of course, it's all in good-natured fun.
On the personal front, Brian, like his bandmates, is single. What's his perfect girl like? Someone with "a great personality, (who's) very open, trustworthy, giving and just willing to have fun," he says. Until he meets Ms. Right, Brian's content to keep dating and making lots of cool girl friends.
Along with his fellow Boys, Brian is excited that he's been able to bring home the BSB magic to the States. "We finally have an opportunity to focus on the U.S. because it's very personal to us," he explains. "i'm very excited and happy...and we owe it all to the fans."
With their U.S. deput Backstreet Boys going platinum and beyond, international stardom in the palms of their hands and a bright future ahead of them, Brian couldn't be happier about his life. "To be a singer--to do something I love--to go to work every day to do something I enjoy, that's what I was looking for," he says with a smile. "And to have a talent that you can use, and actually use it. I think it's destiny why we're all here together."