When the Backstreet Boys floated into sold-out arenas on hoverboards during 1999’s Into the Millennium tour, it became a defining moment of ’90s pop concerts. Those who witnessed the spectacle would develop lifelong nostalgia for the show, while fans who missed out would forever regret doing so.
So, as the members of the boy band work on reimagining the tour for their upcoming residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, fans are eager to see the return of the hoverboards, and in an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Howie Dorough doesn’t rule out similar moves.
“I can’t say if we’ll have hoverboards, but we’re doing a show that’s going to be Sphere-worthy, so there will definitely be some adaptations of the original tour, and it’s just about figuring out what works in the venue,” Dorough said while attending the Wine Women and Shoes fundraiser in Irvine, California. “We haven’t gotten too far into production and choreography, but we’ll be testing out what works and doesn’t work in there.
“The show is based around Millennium though, so we’re definitely going to bring people back in time, and if they didn’t see that show in the past, it’s a chance to see a creation of it, Sphere-style.”
As for who in the band (Dorough, Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and AJ McLean) is cause for concern when it comes to risky moves like flying or surfing, Dorough feels confident he could take to the Sphere skies with ease.
“Me and AJ are the most likely to fall,” he admitted. “But I have to say, when me, Kevin and Brian went surfing in Newport Beach years ago, I was the first one to get up on the surfboard!”
Dorough shared that the “Larger Than Life” singers are currently working with “amazing, super-talented” creative director and producer Baz Halpin, who also worked on U2 and The Eagles’ Sphere residency shows, as well as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
Having attended one of The Eagles’ shows in Vegas, Dorough’s getting used to the idea of creating a concert with so many different elements.
“We saw The Eagles and Don Henley described it like, ‘You’re going to be the soundtrack to this movie that’s playing behind you guys,’” Dorough shared. “A lot of the show is about the screens. We’ve just filmed some of the content that will be shown on the screens, so it’s going to be a very different show to our norm and the first time we’ve done a show that’s immersive with screens behind us.”
The Grammy-nominated band, who previously broke records with their Larger Than Life residency at Planet Hollywood, have also reunited with longtime choreographers Rich and Tone Talauega. A clip shared on social media showed Littrell’s parents Harold and Jackie slow-dancing while the group rehearsed their moves for 2001 ballad “Drowning.”
As for how Millennium favorites like “Spanish Eyes” will be incorporated, Dorough said the band is still working through the set list.
“We’re talking about making the Millennium record the show, which is a challenge, and that would only be an hour, so we’re trying to do some of our favorites and fan favorites as well,” he said. “I’m a big stickler for making sure we do stuff that not only excites us, but makes fans feel happy and like they got their money’s worth.”
Sphere isn’t the only place Dorough has been getting creative lately. The musician continues to support his wife, Leigh Dorough, and her business partner, Charlotte Wienckoski, with Eslla, a luxury handbag line they launched in 2022.
The vegan, cruelty-free line is made with cactus leather, and celebs including Alicia Silverstone, Eve Harlow and Chaley Rose have been snapped with the purses. Dorough was on hand to help auction off a signed Eslla handbag at the Wine Women and Shoes fundraiser, with the winning bid ($3,300) benefiting First Tee Orange County, a nonprofit that works to improve youth development through golf lessons.
So, what does a Backstreet Boy know about handbags?
“I know how to be a good, supportive husband — and hold it!” laughed Dorough, who has two sons with Leigh, 16-year-old James and 12-year-old Holden. “I think for women, handbags, shoes and sunglasses can boost the good, positive energy and moods. Those are the things my wife likes!
“I’m proud of what she’s trying to do with giving people another option, to buy stuff that’s more environmentally conscious and cruelty-free. She’s done something very forward-thinking for our planet and I’m proud of her designs and her eye and what they’ve put together.”
Meanwhile, Dorough and his brother John Dorough have been busy with real estate development projects, having just opened a Hyatt Place property with a rooftop bar in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as well as a condominium complex, The Surf, at Cocoa Beach. The Surf has an oceanfront restaurant Coa, plus Coa Lounge, where fans will find fun Backstreet Boys touches like a cocktail called You Are … My Fiiire, which is presented lit in flames.
The Florida brothers have been developing real estate in the area for years, but bars and restaurants were a natural progression, given the musician’s love for food. It’s a passion that sparked his “Howie Eatz” event series, where he dines with fans in cities where the Backstreet Boys are touring.
“I’ve done Howie Eatz because I just love food,” he said. “I have to do Backstreet Boys at the same time, so I can lose all that weight that I gain from all the eating!”
Now, he’s proudly bringing his 32 years of global eating adventures home to Florida to help elevate the local dining scene.
“I love Brevard County, and it’s a great place to raise a family, but the one thing we’re lacking is culinary options, so being able to bring something to the area has been great,” he said. “We’re educating people with their palates and have this amazing chef [Eric Basta] who’s traveled the world and fuses different culinary styles together, like Asian and Italian.
“And the mixologist is pairing things you wouldn’t even think of together, like Yuzu, which is used in Japanese food. It’s definitely a talent!”
