FHM Magazine (U.K.) 11/99
'Say Cheese'
Former New Kid on The Block Jordan Knight on taking photographs, masturbation and family gatherings...
Are you one of those annoying lensmen who takes ages "composing" simple holiday snaps?
People get frustrated with me. I'm always stopping if I see something interesting to add, re-adjusting, peeking through the lens. Then I'd say, "You know what? Forget it. The light isn't right--I don't want to waste the film." I've always got my photographer's eye open for everything. I mean, I don't go around making a frame with my fingers, like film directors do--It's not that serious--I just use photography as a distraction from everyday life.
Were your New Kids chums irritated by your pastime?
They were really pissed off that I was in their faces all the time--but they loved the final pictures. Apart from video games, the others really didn't have hobbies--or at least they hid them away. We were quite young at the time, so masturbating was probably one of our big time hobbies.
Do you get roped in to take the snaps at family gatherings?
Every time. Every Christmas, they all want pictures of their kids. "We need a Christmas card this year, Jordan--when are you available?" The first time I was really excited, and took a long time setting up--they were really good pictures. The second time, though, the kids were crying, and I was shouting "Just throw them on the stairs and let's get it done."
In Britain, chemists take a dim view of developing anything a bit rude. Any problems Stateside?
When I was on tour, it was always running through my mind like, shit, there are all these girls here--I could get some good pictures, y'know? But I'd have to get them developed somewhere, and whoever saw the pictures would be sure to get me in trouble. There was one set that were too rude to send anywhere--I had to call a friend to do them for me. I told him, "Develop them, but don't look at them!" He was like, "Yeah, sure!"
What were the pictures of?
A young lady. That's all I'm going to say. Not in a compromising position--more a sensual position. Yeah, nice and sensual.