Backstreet Boys' behind-the-scenes Vegas Sphere residency rituals revealed
Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson became what would later be known as the best-selling boy band of all time in 1993 but their debut single 'We've Got It Goin' On' and hit ballad 'I'll Never Break Your Heart' put them on the map in 1995 and 1996, respectively.
Those two singles, along with several of their chart-topping smashes, are woven into the Backstreet Boys' highly talked-about 'Into The Millennium' residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
22 (L-R) Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell and Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys.
Getty Images for iHeartRadio
22 Backstreet Boys' 'Into The Millennium' summer residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas/
Justin Segura
While the boys are all older, ranging from 45 to 53, some of their backstage habits remain the same, according to their longtime choreographers and creative directors, Rich and Tone Talauega (better known simply as Rich + Tone), who spilled each member's pre-show ritual in an exclusive interview with The Post.
Admitting that the vibe before the show is 'very relaxed,' Rich broke down Nick, Howie, AJ, Brian and Kevin's individual methods while also sharing the one thing the boys do together before performing to about 20,000 adoring fans at their cutting-edge summer residency.
Rich + Tone know best, considering the pair has worked with the Backstreet Boys since 1998, first as dancers before becoming the creative directors and choreographers for several of the group's tours between 2008 and 2020, and now, the 'Into The Millennium' Sin City residency.
22 The visuals that fans experience at the band's residency.
Rich Fury
22 More images of the insane visuals during the show.
Justin Segura
Keep scrolling to discover each Backstreet Boys' unique backstage habits.
Nick Carter
22 Singer Nick Carter from The Backstreet Boys.
Live Nation
22 Another image of the visuals at the Backstreet Boys' residency.
Rich Fury
Nick, 45, 'does this routine where he stretches, like every performer should. But he does a lot of sports stretches to get his body warmed up,' the renowned pair, who have worked with Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Usher, Chris Brown, and more, told The Post.
'He likes to sweat a little bit before he starts to get dressed,' Rich added.
Kevin Richardson
22 Kevin Richardson from the Backstreet Boys (far right).
Brian Prahl / SplashNews.com
22 Kevin Richardson taking a moment to acknowledge fans during the show.
Brian Prahl / SplashNews.com
Rich + Tone say that Kevin, 53, is 'more relaxed' than the other guys backstage.
'He tries not to do too, too much before the show,' Rich shared, emphasizing again that 'Kevin is just more relaxed' when they come into his room to check in and give him 'extra little pep talks,' as they do with his other bandmates, before their performance.
AJ McLean
22 Singer AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys (far left).
backstreetboys/Instagram
22 The Backstreet Boys at their Vegas residency.
backstreetboys/Instagram
When asked if AJ, 47, has any funny pre-show quirks, Rich laughed.
'He likes to talk a lot,' he responded while noting that AJ 'doesn't like to think' about their performance before hitting the stage.
'He likes to have conversations with people about everything else except the show,' the famed choreographer quipped.
Howie Dorough
22 Howie Dorough with the band (far left).
Brian Prahl / SplashNews.com
22 Rich + Tone told The Post that Howie Dorough loves to go over notes before the show.
Getty Images
Howie, 51, is the most thorough, according to Rich.
'He does his vocal warm-ups. He likes to warm up his vocals before he starts stretching a little bit,' he revealed about the singer.
He also enjoys going over notes to learn what he can do better.
22 Howie Dorough performing during the residency (far left).
backstreetboys/Instagram
'We like to give him notes about his performance,' Rich said, sharing that the feedback could be about anything from staging to hitting his marks.
'He says, it's like his food. Cause it keeps his mind spinning. Because he likes to be sharp,' he explained.
'And no other way to be sharp is to give him notes. And on the smallest things, too, as well, 'Where should I look? Should I look onstage left or should I look straight to the right?'' Rich added, saying his biggest note for Howie is ''just be you. Just be free.''
Brian Littrell
22 Vocalist Brian Littrell performing at the Sphere.
Live Nation
22 Another image of Brian Littrell.
Brian Prahl / SplashNews.com
Rich shared that Brian, 50, is like Nick.
'He likes to warm up. He's like an athlete. I like to say, I like to treat them all like athletes,' Rich noted.
To do that, Rich + Tone ensure that 'they're always doing stretching, whether it's vocal warm-ups or going over notes.'
When it comes to the five band members, Rich stated Brian is 'more like Nick,' sharing that they warm up similarly before a show.
The band's one tradition
22 The Backstreet Boys with their creative team.
rtbrothas/Instagram
22 Another image of the Backstreet Boys' residency show.
Justin Segura
While Nick, Kevin, AJ, Howie and Brian have individual routines, they also take a moment together backstage before kicking off each residency concert.
Rich said the 'one thing that I love to see them do' is their prayer prior to coming out on the stage, revealing that all five of the boys take turns leading the message.
'That's great because it brings the morale together,' he stated.
22 Backstreet Boys.
rtbrothas/Instagram
According to Rich, they all hug afterward, and both he and Tone remind them they aren't just Backstreet Boys; they are 'icon boys.'
How long will the Backstreet Boys' residency run?
22 The futuristic images shown during the 'Into the Millennium' concerts.
Justin Segura
22 The 160,000-square-foot interior screen that projects the larger-than-life images.
Justin Segura
The Backstreet Boys' summer residency in Sin City kicked off on July 11.
With larger-than-life visuals — like giant dancing robots projected on the 160,000-square-foot interior screen and a futuristic platform levitating each member of the group about 80 feet in the air — and a 1,600 speaker sound system, Rich confessed that the team faced some 'challenges' to make the residency come to life.
The Backstreet Boys are the first pop group at the Sphere, which opened near the Vegas strip on September 29, 2023.
Due to their overwhelming popularity, they added three additional shows to their lineup.
22 The levitating platform levitates the boys about 80 feet in the air.
Rich Fury
22 Another image of the boys on on the platform.
Rich Fury
The residency is scheduled to end later this month, with the final show set for August 24.
While many fans have hope that the Backstreet Boys will extend their residency dates, no official announcement has been made.
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We believe that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense or benefit allows investors to better track the performance of our business without regard to the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash. We eliminate merger, debt work-out and acquisition-related costs, including merger related litigation expenses, net of insurance recoveries, when applicable, because the Company does not consider such costs to be indicative of the ongoing operating performance of the Company as they result from an event that is of a non-recurring nature, thereby enhancing comparability. In addition, management believes that the exclusion of gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, provides investors with a clearer picture of the Company's operating performance given that, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ('GAAP'), gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan are recognized in Operating income (loss) whereas gains and losses related to the remeasurement of the assets under the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, which are equal to and therefore fully offset the gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities, are recognized in Other income (expense), net, which is not reflected in Operating income (loss). 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Since adjusted operating income (loss) is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies. For a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to adjusted operating income (loss), please see page 6 of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results, developments or events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including financial community perceptions of the Company and its business, operations, financial condition and the industries in which it operates and the factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections titled 'Risk Factors' and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' contained therein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein. Conference Call Information: The conference call will be Webcast live today at 10:00 a.m. ET at Conference call dial-in number is 888-800-3155 / Conference ID Number 8089430 Conference call replay number is 800-770-2030 / Conference ID Number 8089430 until August 18, 2025 ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (In thousands) (Unaudited) The following is a description of the adjustments to operating loss in arriving at adjusted operating income as described in this earnings release: Share-based compensation. This adjustment eliminates the compensation expense relating to restricted stock units, performance stock units and stock options granted under the Sphere Entertainment Employee Stock Plan, MSG Sports Employee Stock Plan, MSG Networks Employee Stock Plan, as amended and assumed by Sphere Entertainment, and Sphere Entertainment Non-Employee Director Plan. Depreciation and amortization. This adjustment eliminates depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangible assets. Restructuring charges. This adjustment eliminates costs related to termination benefits provided to employees as part of the Company's full-time workforce reductions. Impairment and other losses (gains), net. This adjustment eliminates non-cash impairment charges and the impact of gains or losses from the disposition of assets or businesses. Merger, debt work-out, and acquisition-related costs, including merger-related litigation expenses, net of insurance recoveries. This adjustment eliminates costs related to mergers, debt work-outs and acquisitions, including litigation expenses. Amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs. This adjustment eliminates amortization of capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs. Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities. This adjustment eliminates the impact of gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the Company's executive deferred compensation plan. 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$ 36,517 $ 61,466 Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Sphere MSG Networks Total Revenues $ 151,217 $ 122,178 $ 273,395 Direct operating expenses (67,870 ) (81,649 ) (149,519 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (102,109 ) (4,931 ) (107,040 ) Depreciation and amortization (80,121 ) (2,216 ) (82,337 ) Impairments and other losses, net (5,735 ) — (5,735 ) Restructuring charges 88 (229 ) (141 ) Operating (loss) income $ (104,530 ) $ 33,153 $ (71,377 ) Reconciliation to adjusted operating (loss) income: Share-based compensation 12,337 984 13,321 Depreciation and amortization 80,121 2,216 82,337 Restructuring charges (88 ) 229 141 Impairments and other losses, net 5,735 — 5,735 Merger, debt work-out, and acquisition related costs, net of insurance recoveries 910 (5,473 ) (4,563 ) Amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs — 21 21 Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities 42 — 42 Adjusted operating (loss) income $ (5,473 ) $ 31,130 $ 25,657 Expand SEGMENT RESULTS (Continued) (In thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 Sphere MSG Networks Total Revenues $ 333,132 $ 230,119 $ 563,251 Direct operating expenses (146,887 ) (142,754 ) (289,641 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (192,793 ) (34,499 ) (227,292 ) Depreciation and amortization (163,712 ) (4,424 ) (168,136 ) Impairments and other losses, net (4,162 ) — (4,162 ) Restructuring charges (2,788 ) — (2,788 ) Operating (loss) income $ (177,210 ) $ 48,442 $ (128,768 ) Reconciliation to adjusted operating income: Share-based compensation 37,907 2,538 40,445 Depreciation and amortization 163,712 4,424 168,136 Restructuring charges 2,788 — 2,788 Impairments and other losses, net 4,162 — 4,162 Merger, debt work-out, and acquisition related costs, net of insurance recoveries 3,339 3,934 7,273 3,158 — 3,158 240 — 240 Adjusted operating income $ 38,096 $ 59,338 $ 97,434 Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Sphere MSG Networks Total Revenues $ 321,581 $ 273,144 $ 594,725 Direct operating expenses (130,164 ) (173,395 ) (303,559 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (211,085 ) (19,104 ) (230,189 ) Depreciation and amortization (157,827 ) (4,377 ) (162,204 ) Impairments and other losses, net (5,735 ) — (5,735 ) Restructuring charges (4,798 ) (10 ) (4,808 ) Operating (loss) income $ (188,028 ) $ 76,258 $ (111,770 ) Reconciliation to adjusted operating income: Share-based compensation 25,610 4,435 30,045 Depreciation and amortization 157,827 4,377 162,204 Restructuring charges 4,798 10 4,808 Impairments and other losses, net 5,735 — 5,735 Merger, debt work-out, and acquisition related costs, net of insurance recoveries 1,326 (5,381 ) (4,055 ) Amortization for capitalized cloud computing costs — 43 43 Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities 168 — 168 Adjusted operating income $ 7,436 $ 79,742 $ 87,178 Expand CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) As of June 30, December 31, 2025 2024 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 368,927 $ 515,633 Accounts receivable, net 151,224 154,624 Related party receivables, current 10,957 25,729 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 64,317 65,007 Total current assets 595,425 760,993 Non-Current Assets: Investments 41,311 40,396 Property and equipment, net 2,851,978 3,035,730 Right-of-use lease assets 88,765 93,920 Goodwill 410,172 410,172 Intangible assets, net 25,129 28,383 Other non-current assets 186,281 145,706 Total assets $ 4,199,061 $ 4,515,300 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 14,775 $ 33,606 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 346,925 388,370 Related party payables, current 5,758 9,504 Current portion of long-term debt, net 58,799 829,125 Operating lease liabilities, current 17,455 19,268 Deferred revenue 83,227 91,794 Total current liabilities 526,939 1,371,667 Non-Current Liabilities: Long-term debt, net 830,535 524,010 Operating lease liabilities, non-current 111,823 116,668 Deferred tax liabilities, net 250,579 148,870 Other non-current liabilities 165,498 152,666 Total liabilities 1,885,374 2,313,881 Commitments and contingencies Equity: Class A Common Stock (1) 291 290 Class B Common Stock (2) 69 69 Additional paid-in capital 2,463,345 2,428,414 Accumulated deficit (149,984 ) (219,846 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (34 ) (7,508 ) Total stockholders' equity 2,313,687 2,201,419 Total liabilities and equity $ 4,199,061 $ 4,515,300 _________________ (1) Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, 120,000 shares authorized; 29,133 and 28,960 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. (2) Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, 30,000 shares authorized; 6,867 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Expand SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION (In thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (52,711 ) $ 28,570 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 16,441 (46,156 ) Net cash used in financing activities (111,059 ) (36,242 ) Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 623 (776 ) Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ (146,706 ) $ (54,604 ) Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 515,633 627,827 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 368,927 $ 573,223 Expand
