Smash Hits - November 3, 1999

When Ben met Jordan

We introduced one of today's hottest pop stars (Ben A1) to the biggest star of yesteryear (Jordan Knight) and discovered that when it comes to haircuts, fights and fans not a lot has changed.

Ben A1 is nervous. He's done all his research, but he's still nervous. Why? Well, this is Ben's first interview for Smash Hits and his subject is Jordan Knight. The same Jordan Knight who was a member of New Kids On The Block, winners of several squillion Smash Hits awards and the world's biggest band for about five years! Ben takes a deep breath.

Ben: Okey-dokey, then.

Jordan: You want me to hold this?

(pointing at tape recorder. Ben nods.)

Ben: You were top of the Forbes list in 1990. What's that, then?

Jordan: It's a list of the richest entertainers in America and we earned more money that year than people like Michael Jackson and Steven Spielberg.

Ben: Wow! But after you split up, did you ever slag each other off, like the Spice Girls?

Jordan: And Take That? Robbie and Gary had a slug-fest! (They both laugh.) No, there was no bickering.

Ben: Have I got that (the bickering) to look forward to?

Jordan: If anybody bickers about you, don't bicker back. That way, you look like the bigger man.

Ben: I'm quite obsessed with my hair because it's long and curly. Don't kill me for this, but people say you're obsessed with your hair. True or not?

Jordan: Slightly. I used to be more obsessed. I had a ponytail once.

Ben: Hahaha, excellent!

Jordan: It was all right at the time, but I had it a little too long as far as fashion's concerned. When I got rid of it, it was like parting with my blankie as a boy.

Ben: How old are you?

Jordan: 29.

Ben: Did you ever lie about your age?

Jordan: No. I got some flak because a newspaper misprinted it, but I never lied.

Ben: A lot of bands do it, but it's mainly girl bands. We've got a guy in our band (Paul) who's 24, nearly 25.

Jordan: (Laughing) Oh jeez, that's old!

Ben: But Paul says, "I'm too old to be in a boyband!"

Jordan: One of the guys in N'Sync (Pineapple) is 27! But then Frank Sinatra was my age when he first became a teen idol, so I don't think it's a big deal.

Ben: In New Kids On The Block, were you all singers, or were some of you dancers?

Jordan: Er, we were known as a 'collaborative singing group.' (Laughs) Now, Ben, I hear you were a chorister at Westminster Abbey and sang for the Pope and the Queen. (Jord has obviously done his research, too!) You were a boy soprano - I was too!

Ben: Fantastic! Something in common!

Jordan: It was an Episcopalian church and we were part of the Royal School of Church Music. I did that choir thing.

Ben: Did you get bored of it?

Jordan: I became a teenager. Your voice changes and they kick you out!

Ben: My voice has only dropped a wee bit, but I'm only 17! I can still reach the high notes.

Jordan: Wow!

Ben: Moving on. What's the best or worst present you've got from a fan?

Jordan: Y'know, (pauses awkwardly) I hate to say this, but fans give me teddy bears even to this day, and (groans), I'm 29, I'm a guy. I don't like teddy bears!

Ben: I get a lot of teddies but I'm 17, I think they're quite fun. My little brother and sister, who are eight and nine, love them but, at 29. (They both laugh again) As we're here for Smash Hits, didn't you win 11 Smash Hits awards?

Jordan: 11? He knows it all!

Ben: How do you win Most Fanciable Male, because I don't think I have been put up for any awards this year.

Jordan: (Cracking up) Oh my goodness! I didn't consciously try to win it. I don't know the formula.

Ben: I guess some people have it, and some don't.

(They both laugh for a long time.)

After the chat, the two new bezzie mates exchange albums and Ben gets Jordan to sign a photo for band-mate, Mark. As he's heading for the door Ben tells Jordan that "by next year, we want to write and produce our second album ourselves." "Cool," replies an impressed Jordan, "and good luck in the Smash Hits awards!"