Your Favorite Boy Bands Look so Different Today
Your Favorite Boy Bands Look so Different Today
From The Beatles to NSYNC, these iconic boy bands sure tore up our hearts. We're taking a look back on their biggest moments (good and bad), reflecting on their accomplishments and (in some cases) seeing what they're up to today. Hint: Those '80s and '90s boy band members don't exactly look like the posters you had on your wall anymore.
THEN: The Backstreet Boys
Twenty-six years ago, the Backstreet Boys — AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell — came together to become one of the most beloved boy bands of all time. Their most popular songs of the late '90s and early ‘00s were “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” and “All I Have To Give.” The band stayed together, but Kevin wasn’t a part of their albums Unbreakable (2007) and This Is Us (2009), because he pursued his career on Broadway.
NOW: The Backstreet Boys
Kevin permanently rejoined in 2012, and the band released the album In a World Like This. The Backstreet Boys have been touring ever since, and kicked off their DNA World Tour in 2019. They also released a Christmas album in 2022. All five men are married and have kids.
THEN: The Beatles
Though they were briefly called the Silver Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison got together as 15- and 16-year-olds in the late '50s. By 1962, Ringo Starr joined as their drummer and they released their first single, “Love Me Do”/”PS I Love You.” Their US takeover really started when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and belted it out for more than 73 million people in February 1964. Two months later, they made history by filling the top five spots of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. They split in 1970 and went on to have solo careers.
NOW: The Beatles
John was fatally shot outside his New York City apartment building in 1980, and George died at the age of 58 after being treated for lung cancer and a brain tumor in 2001. Most recently, the two surviving members — Paul and Ringo — shocked audience members (and the world) when they reunited for a special performance at Dodger Stadium in July 2019.
THEN: New Kids on the Block
Donnie Wahlberg teamed up with pal Danny Wood and two others in 1984, but the unnamed group members were later replaced by Joe McIntyre and brothers Jordan and Jonathon Knight. They were between the ages 12 and 16, and debuted their album New Kids on the Block in 1986. After releasing three albums together, they disbanded in 1994 (but later reunited in 2007).
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NOW: New Kids on the Block
They’ve released new albums, gone on a New Kids on the Block Cruise, and played with The Backstreet Boys at Fenway Park … to name just a few things they’ve done over the past decade or so. Donnie became famous in his own right, opened the restaurant chain Wahlburgers and starred in two reality shows, one of which was with his wife Jenny McCarthy.
THEN: The Jackson 5
In 1962, brothers Michael, Marlon, Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine formed their band The Jackson 5. By 1969, the song “I Want You Back” went to No. 1. Lead singer Michael stepped away from the band to pursue his solo career.
NOW: The Jackson 5
After Michael’s highly-publicized death, his brothers reunited for their Unity Tour across the U.S. in 2012. Three years later, they performed at London’s Hyde Park in 2015 (pictured here).
THEN: 'N Sync
Soon after The Backstreet Boys got started, the band’s manager Lou Pearlman brought together Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and former Mickey Mouse Club co-stars Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez. Lance Bass was later added to the group, and 'N Sync was born. They introduced themselves in Europe first, and really made a name for themselves in the U.S. after Disney Channel aired the special, “NSYNC Live In Concert" in July 1998. Justin released his first solo album Justified in 2002, and their last performance together was in 2004.
NOW: 'N Sync
The group reunited for a special performance at the 2013 VMAs, and got back together when they were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Justin has since won 10 Grammys, and shares son Silas with his wife Jessica Biel. Chris, Joey, and Lance are all married, and JC is reportedly single.
THEN: The Monkees
Many forget that this crew was initially established as a TV show. In 1965, ads were calling out for “insane boys, age 17–21” who wanted to star in it. In the end, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones were the actors/singers selected for the roles. They went on to win the comedy award at the 1967 Emmys.
NOW: The Monkees
Davy suffered a heart attack in 2012 and Peter, who toured with Micky and Michael in 2016, died in February 2019 after a “10-year bout” with a rare cancer. Micky and Michael paid tribute to their former bandmates with a tour in early 2019, and Micky had a solo tour in the summer.
THEN: The Jonas Brothers
Every early '00s kid certainly expected to see these three on the list. Seventeen-year-old Kevin, 15-year-old Joe, and 12-year-old Nick Jonas signed with Columbia Records in 2005 and they were originally called Sons of Jonas. They toured with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, The Cheetah Girls, and The Backstreet Boys, and then released their first album in 2006. By 2009, they released their fourth album, starred in Disney Channel’s Jonas, and started filming the sequel to Disney’s hit movie Camp Rock.
NOW: The Jonas Brothers
While they officially split in 2013, the brothers remained close. Kevin started his family with wife Danielle, Nick pursued Broadway and a solo career, and Joe started the band DNCE. But in 2019, fans were over the moon when they reunited to release the song “Sucker," and the video included the brothers’ three wives (Nick married Priyanka Chopra in 2018 and Joe married Sophie Turner in 2019). Most recently, they confirmed a new album, titled The Album is coming in May of 2023.
THEN: The Beach Boys
Nothing made people want to head to the nearest beach quite like the tunes of The Beach Boys, which comprised musicians Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine, and Mike Love. It all started in 1961, when the Wilson brothers formed a band with their cousin Mike and classmate Al. By 1966, more than 20 of their songs broke into the top 40.
NOW: The Beach Boys
Though they still technically tour today, it’s not the same group we saw in the '60s. Dennis tragically drowned in 1983, and his brother Carl died from lung cancer in 1998. The surviving band members haven’t always been on the same page, but they came together for a rare reunion and interview in 2018.
THEN: Take That
The British group kicked off with a campaign seeking out young men who could sing and dance. From there, Robbie Williams, Mark Owen, Jason Orange, and Howard Donald were selected to join Gary Barlow in the band, “Kick-It.” A name change, tours, and plenty of hits later, Take That made history as one of the most iconic boy bands ever. Robbie left the group in 2005, but rejoined in 2010.
NOW: Take That
Robbie left for a second time in 2014, and Jason left soon after that. In 2018, the band released a new video for their song, “Pray.” Robbie, Howard, Gary, and Mark are all married and have children. Their ninth studio album will be released in 2023.
THEN: New Edition
Ralph Tresvant, Johnny Gill, Mike Bivins, Ronnie Devoe, Ricky Bell, and Bobby Brown — childhood friends from Boston — became known for their songs “Candy Girl,” “Cool It Now,” and more. There was drama throughout their reign as a popular musical group in the '80s, but much of it surrounded Bobby, who was voted out of the band.
NOW: New Edition
Many remember New Edition because of what transpired in Bobby’s personal life, and more specifically, his tumultuous relationship with Whitney Houston. There was a mini-series called The New Edition Story that was released about the group in 2017. Later that year, the R&B legends all took the stage for a historic performance at the BET Awards.
THEN: One Direction
Just when they thought their time on The X Factor was over, Simon Cowell asked Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, and Niall Horan to join forces as a boy band. They didn’t make it to the final two of the competition, but we all know they went on to make history.
NOW: One Direction
After releasing four albums together, Zayn left the group in March 2015 to pursue a solo career. That same year, it was reported that Louis was expecting a child — and then there was news that they’d all go on a hiatus in 2016. One Direction's fifth album was released at the end of their whirlwind year, and they performed on X Factor one last time in December 2015. They’ve all gone on to have solo careers, Louis and Liam are now dads, and Harry has dabbled in film.
THEN: Boyz II Men
Your early '90s soundtrack most definitely includes the tunes of R&B group Boyz II Men, who went on to sign with New Edition’s Mike Bivins. Back in the day, the group had four members: Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Michael McCrary (who left in 2003). They released three albums from 1991–1997, and all of them went platinum.
NOW: Boyz II Men
After all the time that’s passed, the trio continues to collaborate. In the past decade, they’ve released several albums, including a doo-wop album titled, Under the Streetlight. They’re now touring the country and have performances everywhere from California to Rhode Island.
THEN: Hanson
Before there were the Jonas Brothers, there was Hanson. Three young brothers, Zac, Isaac, and Taylor, started performing together in 1992 (when Zac was just 6!). By 1997, everyone knew them … and their hit single “MMMBop.”
NOW: Hanson
With six studio albums under their belt, the brothers continue to make music together and just released String Theory in November 2018. They all met their wives while playing music, and are now raising their kids in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Zac and his wife Kate have four, Taylor and his wife Natalie have six, and Isaac and his wife Nicole have three. They released a mini-album RGB (Red Green Blue) in 2022.
THEN: 98 Degrees
In 1997, brothers Nick and Drew Lachey released their first single with fellow bandmates Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre. Their music became a staple at every late '90s and early '00s party, but they ultimately separated in 2001.
NOW: 98 Degrees
After a 12-year hiatus, they got back together in 2013 and have been performing together ever since. They’re currently touring across America, and their families are likely along for the ride. Nick shares three kids with his wife Vanessa, Drew has two kids with his wife Lea, and Jeff and his wife Amanda have two kids.
THEN: BLACKstreet
When producer Teddy Riley’s group Guy split up in 1991, he collaborated with Chauncey Hannibal, Levi Little, and Joseph Stonestreet (variations of the group have changed) to form BLACKstreet. In 1996, they released their biggest hit, “No Diggity,” which got them the No. 1 slot on the Billboard Hot 100 and a Grammy for R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals in 1998.
NOW: BLACKstreet
There's been plenty of controversy and even legal battles, mostly between Teddy and Chauncey. Teddy was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and continues to perform BLACKstreet’s hits at venues nationwide.
THEN: Westlife
In 1998, Louis Walsh started Westlife with Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Brian McFadden, and Kian Egan. Months later, they released their single “Swear It Again,” and their album came out soon after. They released three albums, and then in 2004, Brian left the group to spend more time with loved ones. The group’s final album Gravity was released in November 2010.
NOW: Westlife
Over the years, the bandmates have opened up about the struggles they endured during their careers. Brian is doing performances on his own, but the other four kicked off their reunion tour, Twenty Tour, in May 2019. In 2021, the group signed a new record deal and released their most recent album Wild Dreams. Brian has two daughters and has been divorced twice, and Nicky, Shane, and Kian are all married with children. Mark recently announced that he and his fiancé Cailean are expecting their first child together.
THEN: 5ive
The people who made the Spice Girls happen created their own boy band, which included Sean Conlon, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson, Abz Love, and Jason “J” Brown. They had huge, but short-lived success, and split up in 2001. To many fans’ excitement, however, they’ve reunited since their initial split.
NOW: 5ive
The group went on an Australian Greatest Hits tour alongside Sister2Sister in 2021, while also releasing several remixes of old classics and a new single "Warm Light." Their latest album, Time, released in January of 2022.
THEN: All-4-One
Boy band All-4-One exploded on the scene when they released their cover of John Michael Montgomery’s “I Swear” in 1994. The performance led to their 1995 Grammy win and they received two more nominations the year after.
NOW: All-4-One
Delious Kennedy, Alfred Nevarez, Tony Borowiak, and Jamie Jones have impressively never broken up. All-4-One continues to record and perform together, and they have concerts around the US.
THEN: Menudo
The historic Puerto Rican boy band got started in the 1970s, and went on to produce countless hits like “Claridad” and “Bésame.” It also introduced the world to a name you might recognize: Ricky Martin, who was brought on in 1984. Interestingly, the band members kept changing, and there were 39 overall members through the years.
NOW: Menudo
The two most famous Menudo members are Ricky Martin and Robi “Draco” Rosa. They’re reportedly best friends, and they’ve managed to make names for themselves as Grammy-winning solo artists.
THEN: O-Town
If your favorite TV show was MTV’s Making the Band, you definitely knew (and loved) O-Town. Formed on the show in 2000, Erik Michael Estrada, Jacob Underwood, Trevor Penick, Ashley Parker Angel, and Dan Miller went on to make two albums (one of which went platinum) before breaking up in 2004.
NOW: O-Town
Erik, Jacob, Trevor, and Dan reunited in 2013, and released their album Lines & Circles the following year. They are still touring in 2023, and released their latest album The O.T.W.N Album in 201o. Ashley continued recording and has also developed a solid reality TV resume, as well as acting as a replacement for some Broadway shows like Wicked and Hairspray.
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From The Beatles to One Direction, these iconic boy bands hold a special place in our hearts. We're taking a look back through history to reminisce about their biggest moments and (in some cases) see what they're up to today.