Backstreet Boys are unrecognizable over 30 years after finding fame in surprise reunion

The Backstreet Boys sparked a serious dose of ’90s nostalgia as four members of the iconic boy band reunited for a surprise appearance in Las Vegas.

Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Howie Dorough stepped out together at the Grand Prix Plaza Formula 1 attraction on Thursday, August 13, looking worlds away from the fresh-faced stars who shot to global fame more than three decades ago.

The foursome were all smiles as they posed together following the announcement that the Backstreet Boys will headline the official Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix after-party at Sphere this November.

Kevin Richardson was noticeably absent from the photo opportunity, leaving his four bandmates to represent the group. Now aged between their mid-40s and early 50s, the singers embraced laid-back looks for their outing, with double denim proving to be something of an unofficial dress code.

AJ, 48, looked particularly different from his early boy band days, sporting a salt-and-pepper beard, dark sunglasses and a black baseball cap. He teamed a denim jacket with a black T-shirt and loose-fitting black pants, while his collection of earrings and facial piercings completed the edgy look.

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Brian, 51, kept things casual in a denim jacket, gray T-shirt and backwards white baseball cap, while Howie, 52, wore jeans with a pale blue T-shirt and black blazer.

Nick, 46, stood out in a cream and black jacket over a white T-shirt, teamed with loose-fitting jeans and sneakers.

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Backstreet Boys reunite in Las Vegas

The appearance comes as the group continue to enjoy a remarkable new chapter more than 30 years after they first formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1993.

Nick, Brian, AJ and Howie appeared in good spirits as they toured the Grand Prix Plaza, with Nick and Brian seen joking around together before all four posed for photographs against the Formula 1 backdrop.

The outing celebrated the news that the Backstreet Boys will headline the official Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix after-party at Sphere in November, bringing together two of the city’s biggest entertainment draws.

The performance will also see the band return to a venue that has become an important part of their latest era.

More than 30 years of Backstreet Boys

Alongside Kevin Richardson, the four singers became one of the most successful boy bands in history following their formation in the early ’90s.

Their breakthrough hits including “Quit Playing Games (with My Heart),” “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” “I Want It That Way” and “Larger Than Life” turned them into international superstars.

Their 1999 album Millennium cemented their status as pop royalty, selling millions of copies around the world and earning the group multiple Grammy nominations.

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Thirty-three years on from their formation, they’re cognizant of how the world has changed, and how music and art is consumed.

“We talk about it a lot: it’s almost like two different shows going on at the same time because there’s the show on the screen, but there’s a show on the stage, and so the important part is to integrate those two shows together because you don’t want to lose anybody,” Brian told HELLO!

A show at Sphere offers opportunities for creativity and modern storytelling, but, “that’s a big job” because of the nature of the band. “We’re not The Eagles,” said Brian. “We don’t stand up there in one spot and play instruments. We dance around, we hype the crowd.”

“I don’t think there’s any fear, just excitement as we ask: ‘How do we do it differently?’ And we’ve got some tricks up our sleeves,” he teased.