Back(to the)street Boys

Anybody still remember who are the Backstreet Boys?

Its amazing how far these boys achieved in their road to success. Those who knew this boy band would realise their personalities are really different and it is portrayed in their looks. There's the 'Cute' one, the 'Cool' one, the 'Suave' one, the 'boy-next-door' one and the 'rebellious' one. The truth is that, these boys are not really like what they are labelled, but for marketing purposes, it is easier for the fans to have some sort of connection when such labels are enforced. Let's put it this way, I believe the boys are to a certain extent like what they are known for, be it cute or suave, but they have to actually dress, act, talk and evoke their 'perceived' status. It is a group think to want to have a sell out concert or have a 9 week top bill board song. These boys tweak and emerge themselves in playing the role which they are given in order to strive unanimously for a common goal; best boy band.

Let's use another band for example, the Spice Girls.
(Clockwise from the bottom: Ginger Spice, Posh Spice, Sporty Spice, Scary Spice, Baby Spice)

This was during the first few years of their stardom. These girls are the epitome of individuals coming together to form a group. The girls are being labelled Posh Spice, Baby Spice, Scary Spice, Sporty Spice and Ginger Spice. Each a label of their own and each having to conform to it. Together, they are a group who is suppose to ooze personality of their own and group love. In this case, a very prominent group pressure is evident as these girls grew up and realised that living according to how their fans want them to was way too tedious to handle. Let's just take Baby Spice for example, she is known for her cuteness and childlike innocence. This seems perfectly possible for someone in her early teens but as she grows up into a fully matured women, forcing her to be immature, childlike and cute doesn't seem very fair. It is an unwritten norm to behave like how the crowd or in this case, fans, want you to be. For such bands, fans are the one thing that will make or break their success. But conforming to such ways will soon wear out and true personalities will evolve.

Let's take a look at a photo which is from their most recent tour.

(from left: Scary Spice, Posh spice, ginger spice, sporty spice, baby spice)

Realise how they've evolved. Baby ain't so baby-like anymore, Scary spice looks way too sultry to be scary. This transformation is inevitable. I guess, as much as group pressure will be perpetually evident, being true to your own character is key. Many bands disband only to pursue a career of their own due to how difficult it is to maintain an image to please the crowd and to suppress your true character. I believe still that such labelling of individuals in a band is essential to spark and catalyst a band's stardom and familiarity with the fans, but it will fade after some time and only good music will stay.