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USA Today
3 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Kevin Richardson spills secrets behind Backstreet Boys' stunning Sphere concerts
Kevin Richardson knew one of the most difficult moments of the Backstreet Boys' Sphere show in Las Vegas had nothing to do with dance moves or high notes or a flying apparatus. Emotion would be his nemesis. 'I wasn't able to get through it in rehearsals, and I told the fellas, 'I'm going to look at you and if I lose it, you're going to come in and help me out,'' he said. The 'it' Richardson refers to is 'The Perfect Fan,' the tender ode to the quintet's mothers that closes their landmark 1999 'Millennium' album and is performed during an intimate segment of their glitzy Sphere production. Richardson, who talked to USA TODAY before the Backstreet Boys kicked off their 21-date residency at the revolutionary Las Vegas venue July 11, knows himself well. On opening night, as family photos blanketed the 160,000-square-foot interior screen, Richardson indeed choked up during the first lyrics, while group mate and cousin Brian Littrell, who cowrote the ballad, squeezed his eyes shut to suppress tears. The song is part of the 'minimalistic Millennium medley' as Richardson calls it, when he, Littrell and comrades Nick Carter, AJ McLean and Howie Dorough revisit swoony less-remembered tracks from the album. The segment allows the group to take a breather between the effervescent bounce of 'The One' and the home stretch that includes 'Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),' 'Shape of My Heart' and the extraordinary moment when they take flight (more on that later). But it also signifies how the Sphere can be molded to meet the moment. More: Backstreet Boys deliver stunning concert to devoted fans at Sphere in Las Vegas: Review Backstreet Boys looked to the Eagles for Sphere inspiration When the Backstreet Boys were initially in talks to ink a residency as the inaugural pop act to play the Sphere, they made a pilgrimage to Las Vegas (except for Carter, who lives there) to attend an Eagles concert at the venue. 'We watched the show and I was in awe,' Richardson recalls as he receives a vitamin IV for hydration during our interview. 'I'm a huge Eagles fan and this was like watching all of your favorite songs as a film but with your favorite artist performing them live. This is the venue of the future. You can take your audience anywhere you want to take them.' Richardson, the elder statesman of the group at 53, returned for two more Eagles shows and also witnessed the EDM spectacle Anyma 'The End Of Genesys' in January and Kenny Chesney's country maiden voyage this spring. All acts that have played the Sphere, from U2's jaw-dropping opener in September 2023 to Dead & Company's show-shifting setlist, have had to reconcile sharing equal billing with the venue itself. Richardson says he learned quickly through observation that 'there are two shows going on – the one on the screen and the one with the people on the floor.' Unlike their predecessors, Backstreet Boys outfitted their set with two ramps stretching into the crowd, allowing for more interaction with fans. Richardson exceeded the homework assignment and walked the nine levels of Sphere to 'see what the vibe was' and recognized that each level had its own ambiance. 'We were always self-scouting,' he says. 'What we're trying to do is like a film. Each song leads into the other in a through line, so you're going on a voyage, a journey.' More: Las Vegas Sphere concerts: All the bands that are playing and how to get tickets Fear of heights doesn't keep the Backstreet Boys from flying Tens of thousands of millennial fans have packed the venue since the Boys' July 11 debut – shows run through Aug. 24 – and experienced heaving bouts of nostalgia hearing 'TRL'-era hits including 'Larger Than Life,' 'Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" and their 1995 debut single, 'We've Got It Goin' On.' But the undeniable highlight of the concert marks another Sphere first: a moving platform. Backstreet Boys buffs likely recall 'Get Down (You're the One for Me)' from the group's debut album, a worldwide smash that only rippled on the U.S. charts. The music video featured the fivesome floating on what Richardson described as 'a disco ball cut in half with fans dancing around us as we're on this big globe.' Cut to nearly 30 years later and the Backstreet Boys are airborne once again in a recreation of the video. Their rising platform, seemingly hovering in midair, reaches about 75 feet, parallel to the 200-level of the venue. Weeks before the residency kickoff, Richardson, McLean and Littrell, who is nervous about heights, tested the moving piece to ensure everyone's comfort. Onstage, the guys are strapped in for safety while Littrell also (wisely) holds onto a bar staked into the platform as they sing 'I Want it That Way' and 'Get Down' while surrounded by head-spinning video of hundreds of video squares, a massive mirror ball and hyperactive lasers. It's a fitting near-finale that embraces the cosmic theme of the show, which itself is a tribute to the Backstreet Boys' momentous 'Millennium' album. It was a period in their career when mania was a standard response to even the slightest movement. 'We couldn't go anywhere. We were basically the biggest thing on the planet at the time, kind of like how Taylor (Swift) is now, which is crazy,' Richardson says. 'That was the pinnacle of our careers. What a blessing. What a special thing. It was so surreal that you have bouts of imposter syndrome afterward.' Millions of Backstreet Boys devotees would surely disagree.
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jalen Hurts offers a Stoic quote in response to the challenging heat at Eagles practice
Jalen Hurts delivers an inspiring and defiant call to his teammates amid the challenging heat at Eagles training camp practice Please accept this humble apology, as this one may have come a tad later than was necessary. Sometimes, words are so poignant that they must be analyzed and thought about. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has done this to us more than once. We've seen teachers tell their classes that 'They had a purpose before anyone had an opinion. We've seen parents, us included, tell their children to stay focused and 'Keep the main thing the main thing'. That's when it hit us. Jalen Hurts is more than a quarterback. He missed his calling. He should have been a poet or philosopher. Hours have passed since his defiant finger-wag at the forces of Mother Nature, and we're still analyzing (and agonizing over). "Fatigue makes cowards of us all". Wait... What? Jalen Hurts gives his Eagles teammates and everyone else their rallying cry. Forget early practices to avoid temperatures that exceed 100 degrees at the NovaCare Complex. Forget football in general. Let Hurts' words sink in. That's what we did. That's why it took so doggone long to craft this story. Is this not the most brilliant thing you've heard all week? This is about more than pushing harder to run a little longer. This is wisdom. This is the missing chapter to Sun Tzu's The Art of War. These are words to inspire motivation when one is mentally tired. This is the type of motivational statement that works regardless of one's occupation or calling. Jalen Hurts has offered those Hurts-isms before, but he has finally outdone himself. Break down a huddle with that one. Write that on the whiteboard. Whisper that in your children's ears before you tuck them in at night. See what type of effort you get then. Forget 'Let's hunt' and 'It's a Philly Thing'. That's what needs to be placed on a T-shirt. Give us that on a hoodie. While you're at it, press up a few Jason Kelce depictions in the Mummers outfit. We need a new shirt, maybe something in Kelly Green with the words 'Hungry dogs run faster' emblazoned across the chest area. Jalen Hurts is the star quarterback of football's most loyal and passionate fan base. He's also more than that. He's a wealth of knowledge, one whose gifts reach beyond throwing a tight spiral. If this NFL thing doesn't work out or if it does, we've found where his future path may take him. Hurts was put on Planet Earth to inspire. It appears he was right. He had a purpose before anyone had an opinion.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles' O-Line coach Jeff Stoutland offers high praise to the ever-improving Tyler Steen
Following a recent practice, Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland praised his ever-improving trainee Tyler Steen, a third-year offensive guard for the Philadelphia Eagles, is poised to finally earn the starting right guard position after falling short the previous two years. As a rookie, Steen sat behind the versatile Cam Jurgens as Jason Kelce played out his final season. Last summer, it was assumed that Steen was the top guy, but a subsequent ankle injury propelled Mekhi Becton into the starting job, and a lucrative free agent deal with the Chargers after winning the Super Bowl. Now Steen is on the cusp of outperforming Kenyon Green, Matt Pryor, and others to take his place among the NFL's best and most efficient offensive line. Following a recent practice, Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland praised his ever-improving trainee. Steen, 24, was a third-round choice (65th overall) out of Alabama back in 2023 and has played in 28 games with three starts. Steen was better when called upon in his second season. He started two games in the regular season and started at left guard in the NFC Championship Game win over the Commanders. Steen (6-6, 321) performed well at times in 2024, but he was one of the worst graded guards according to Pro Football Focus. Among the 77 qualified guards in the NFL last season, Steen ranked 75th. For some point of reference, only his new teammate and competition at right guard, Kenyon Green, was worse. Green was 76th, Matt Pryor was 21st in Chicago, and Becton was 20th.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jalen Hurts details the ‘Special Element' Saquon Barkley has brought to the Eagles
The Eagles QB said this about Barkley, 'He brings a special element to us, and we obviously saw that last year,' Saquon Barkley is an All-Pro running back, and the biggest reason why the Eagles are the defending Super Bowl champions and why they're favored once again to win it all. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year had one of the best seasons ever for a running back after he posted over 2,000 yards last season. The move to sign Barkley away from the rival New York Giants paid dividends as he helped lead the Eagles to their second Super Bowl win in franchise history. Barkley is a dynamic player, and his teammate and quarterback, Jalen Hurts, recently detailed just how valuable the former Penn State star has been. Hurts talked to Esports Insider, D.J. Siddiqi, and highlighted the "special element" Barkley brings to the Eagles' offense. 'He brings a special element to us, and we obviously saw that last year,' says Hurts of Barkley. 'He's a hell of a player, hell of a leader. He's a force on the field.' Barkley led the league with a franchise record of 2,005 rushing yards, making him the ninth player in NFL history to post 2,000+ rushing yards in a season. Overall, Barkley logged the 8th-most rushing yards in league history, trailing only Eric Dickerson in 1984 (2,105), Adrian Peterson in 2012 (2,097), Jamal Lewis in 2003 (2,066), Barry Sanders in 1997 (2,053), Derrick Henry in 2020 (2,027), Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,008) and Chris Johnson in 2009 (2,006). Note: O.J. Simpson, in 1973 (2,003), was the other member of the 2,000+ yard club. Including playoffs, Barkley's 2,329 rushing yards (119 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff vs. Green Bay) are the 3rd-most in NFL single-season history, behind Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,476) and 1997 (2,331). He is just 148 rushing yards shy of breaking Davis' record.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Jalen Hurts talks growing relationship with Michael Jordan; Championship mentality
Jalen Hurts details his growing relationship with NBA legend, Michael Jordan Jalen Hurts is one of the new faces of Jordan Brand, and the Eagles Super Bowl hero has catapulted that endorsement opportunity into a relationship with legendary Bulls star and icon, Michael Jordan. Hurts talked to Esports Insider, D.J. Siddiqi, about his growing relationship with Jordan and the NBA legend's championship mentality. 'That's been a growing relationship and growing friendship,' Hurts told Esports Insider in an exclusive interview. 'And obviously the mentality he's had, what he's meant to competitive sports, speaks for itself. That's something that I'm able to lean on.' Hurts was named to TIME's '100 Most Influential' list as an icon and got the stamp of approval from Jeter, who said this about the Eagles star. This past February, Jalen found himself on the Super Bowl stage again. This time he led Philadelphia to a convincing victory in its rematch with Kansas City. We connected shortly after, and the only thing he asked about was insight on going back and winning again. Sometimes people win, then exhale. Jalen is not exhaling. He's embracing the next challenge. Win or lose, Jalen's resilience and determination offer all of us something to admire. There have been a myriad of debates concerning where Jalen Hurts lands in the NFL quarterback hierarchy. After appearing in two of the last three Super Bowls, including winning this past February, there's no doubt that the Eagles' star is among the most efficient and dependable at his position. Hurts, crowned Super Bowl LIX MVP, became just the second QB in Eagles history to deliver a Super Bowl Championship to the City of Philadelphia, joining Nick Foles (Super Bowl LII MVP). According to Elias Sports, Hurts is only the seventh NFL QB to appear in multiple Super Bowls and win a championship in their first five seasons. The other QBs who did so are Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner, and Russell Wilson.
