WHEN boybands ruled the charts in the late Nineties and early Noughties, there was not much attention paid to their mental health or the pop industry’s duty of care to them. Now some of the biggest heartthrobs from that era have come together for a new docuseries to reveal what they really went through behind the scenes. It tells the story of a time when bonkers and brilliant bands made fun pop to entertain the nation.
But it also exposes a dark side of stealing, backstabbing and conniving to make as much cash as possible from acts — at almost any cost. Revelations include tales of a violent bust-up between 5ive’s Scott Robinson and music guru Simon Cowell and how East 17 were paid just £150 a week while their manager made millions. 911 claim pop megastar Beyonce stole her most famous dance move from them, while Robbie Williams reveals a randy fan performed a sex act on him at a meet and greet.
READ MORE ON BOYBANDS And Westlife’s Brian McFadden says he was fat-shamed by the band’s manager Louis Walsh . But Simon Cowell, who helped put 5ive together, has insisted pop stars cannot complain about gruelling schedules and being constantly followed by screaming fans. He says: “There is a contract you sign which says, I will be available to shake every hand, to have my picture taken whenever requested and my privacy now has pretty much disappeared.
It’s just a fact. “If you don’t want that, be an accountant. You can’t have it both ways.
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