Margazine

Or why I will be liking ARok a little more from now on

First Impression

Brian talked about feeling like associates before friends. I imagine that there was a getting to know you process. Howie, Nick, and Aj already knew each other. Kevin had been there a while until Brian came along. AJ’s intro was just what I had imagined, though. The country boy probably seemed strange to the non-backwoods native Floridian and the young transplant from upstate New York. AJ did a better, less exaggerated version of the US southern accent. AJ acknowledges again that Kevin and Brian were not the original fourth and fifth members. However, There were actually two others before the ones the AJ mentions. Rose of the Dark Side blog goes into detail about that. You can still see pre-Kevin, and Brian’s performance of I’ll Be There.

United by more than humor

I did not realize that Brian and AJ were so close because that fan perception is worlds apart. I was surprised to learn they look to each other for musical advice. I thought Brian would be nothing more than associates because their personalities and performances styles are so opposite. To me, the only thing I thought they had in common was a similar sense of humor. People like to make assumptions based on incomplete information or rumors. Hearing about Brian and AJs relationship showed me that I was guilty of this when it came to them. Based on their public image alone, I never thought they would have been friends because their backgrounds and beliefs were completely different. Yes, they are definite proof that opposite attract. AJ called Brian by his nickname a couple of times here, which has come to represent more than his love of basketball to me.

Getting Out of the “Millennium Bubble”

Brian and AJ both mentioned how hard the Millennium era was, calling it a bubble. That surge affected Brian more because he said before wanting to get away afterward. Even before the recent controversies, it was easy for the fans to pick on Brian because he wasn’t the average celebrity. He never seemed interested in the whole celebrity culture. Brian once said he was more interested in the performance aspect. However, in a group of the Backstreet Boys’ stature, you cannot compartmentalize the two. | Being MIA on the promotional circuit for a while probably gave him some time to deal with the pressure. Now that he feels comfortable again, he is back. I also imagine that it was like in the beginning. For Brian, not being famous in the US helped him deal with the pressure of that sudden fame when the whole show business environment was so new to him. Even though AJ may not have understood it at the time, he respected Brian’s need to withdraw and not participating in certain things he did not feel comfortable with. If someone like AJ is ok with that, the fans should stop shaming him for it.

Doing it for themselves and the fans.

That was a significant statement because, for years, the group was trying to defy the boy band label at the expense of those who liked them.

Now they have come to accept they will never receive the credit they are due from the wider industry. The Recording Academy gave them a museum exhibit and acknowledge their roles in starting the 90s boy band craze in the US, but they have not given them a Grammy. Fans have been pleading for MTV to give them a Vanguard award. Now that I know that it is not just for videos anymore, I agree. They basically made the Total Request Live era. They are the only group to win MTV awards in all three of the network’s North America, Europe, and Asia regions.

I have seen this bias in articles and comments. I have even written about it. It started out because of how they formed. Now that they have achieved the longevity goal, people just want to rationalize based on age or perceived lack of Invidia success. Everyone is entitled to their tastes. However, I always feel they make assumptions because of how they started. As long as people refuse to see them for what they are now, they will be victims of what I call the boyband stigma.

Props

I could not get over Rene’s Kudo to both Brian and AJ. He echoed my sentiments exactly about teamwork and humility. It also shows me that those who know them best, like fans and collaborators, always appreciate them. Only if we could convince the wider industry, I am sure it also gave Cheryl an even greater appreciation for her co-host and friend AJ. Does this also mean René might co-direct more Backstreet Boys videos with AJ?

‘You have to crawl before you can walk”-Brian

The conversation turned to Baylee. Rene asked if Baylee looked to Brian for musical and personal advice. Brian responded that it has changed over the years. With recent interviews, I have seen that progression. As said before, Baylee has the luxury of easing into the industry. Baylee at least can look to Brian and even AJs experience when he needs it. There are a lot of variables in the industry that he may not know about. People who dislike the Littrells will take every opportunity to harp on the coattails argument, usually to attack Brian and especially Leighanne. Those who followed both father and son know that this is true as they have both appeared separately. As Brian noted in the interview, they were times when he helped and then stood back. As a child gets older, the parent becomes more an adviser than a ruler I Both professionally and personally, this is true for Brian and Baylee.

Brian won’t dance on a reality show at least

I also confirmed that Brian would not do Dancing with the Stars, but not because I thought Brian said he doesn’t like to dance. g. I thought it would have been for the pace of the show and the formality of ballroom dancing. Unlike Kevin and AJ, he never really had a dance background, which made his ability to pick up choreography quickly surprising. It just confirms my view that he’d be more suitable for the Masked Singer. Brian and AJ’s friendship also proves my idea of Brian and AJ competing together as a main performer and wild card, respectively. Cheryl complimented his skill, precision, and ability to take direction. These are all assets on fast-paced shows like Dancing with the Stars if he did choose to do it. But, of course, we all know he has the athleticism for it too.

Just what I wanted

I was anticipating the episode since it was announced, and I was not disappointed. I learned surprising facts about AJ and Brian and confirmed things that I had imagined about Brian.

Related

Episode Link

Favorite moments

AJ And Brian having fun pillow jousting.

Loved the duet, but whoever recorded this must have been in the middle of the audience because the audience almost drowns out the vocals. For this reason, I hope they do it again. The uploader did an excellent job of trying to balance it out, though. It is a shame this us only recording this performance which was probably from the 90s during one of AJs alter-ego performances.

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