Westlife Grilled (December 2005)

© Angela for typing

It's Christmas. And that means Westlife are back with that all too predictable key change. We decided to ask them why...

Hello, chaps. Let's face it - you're basically pure cheese. Ever wish you were a bit cooler?
Kian: No! What's the point in trying to be cool? We don't want to be something we're not. We're a pop band.

Fair enough. But if you weren't in Westlife, would you actually buy your CDs?
Mark: I'd probably burn them off a mate.
Nicky: Nah, I'd expect to get a free one! We gave Brian one. Seriously, though, I would buy one. It's my type of music.

Speaking of Bri, what did you make of his 'attempts' to go solo?
Nicky: When Brian left we had serious doubts about whether we would carry on. But now it's two fingers up to the industry & some of our fans too, who thought we wouldn't last without him!
Shane: His stuff was good, but he made some bad decisions. His album came out when the press were slagging him off over Kerry & Delta.

What do you think happened there?
Nicky: Brian made a few rocky decisions with Westlife, Kerry & Delta. I really feel for Kerry, but everyone is sick of reading about it now, y'know?

Are you boys really as boring as you seem?
Kian: No! Ask our security guys; they'll tell you we're lunatics. It's handy the papers think we're dull - we get away with a lot more, because they're not constantly waiting for us to misbehave.

Misbehave? Yeah, right. Like how?
Shane: At the MTV Asia Awards we were drinking until 6am, then got straight on a plane to Hong Kong. I was so hungover that day.
Nicky: Yeah - and last week we went to a club& got completely hammered. Shane was the worst. When he's drunk he's a madman. We was trying to do Michael Jackson-style spins & was falling over everywhere.

Crazy! Mark, you came out recently. Was it weird having to pretend to like girls for seven years?
Mark: No! I wasn't doing a cover-up. I have dated girls in the past & enjoyed it. I fancied girls - I still fancy girls. I really fancy Angelina Jolie, but I just don't want to do anything about it any more.

So which male celeb would you most like to get it on with?
Mark: I was talking to the lads about that the other day! Brad Pitt is very good-looking, but he's not my type. Generally I prefer everyday blokes.

Is it true that you're all angry with Louis Walsh for spending too much time on The X Factor instead of you?
Kian: I think it's just a story that the papers made up. Louis spends heaps of time on Westlife. I mean, if he spent any more time on us, he'd probably go off his head.

What about Simon Cowell, then? Is he really a total git?
Nicky: Nah - if you knew him as well as we do, you'd know it's all an act. He plays up to it & he's made a load of cash from his nasty arrogant character!

Kian, how do you feel about your girlfriend (Jodi Albert) getting her kit off in men's mags?
Kian: I'm like 'That's my girlfriend.' I'm proud & I've got quite a few framed & up around the house. Although there's been a couple that went too far. They weren't as classy, & I told her so.

Any of you ever, er, 'been involved' with a Westlife fan?
Shane: No. I don't go down that road, because I've got a beautiful wife & gorgeous daughter.
Kian: No, but the groupies check into the hotels we're in. Always!

Hmmm. OK then - where's the weirdest place you've had sex?
Kian: On the balcony on holiday with Jodi. We were only three floors up, so it was a bit risky. I'm not into alleyways, though!
Nicky: On the moon. It's pretty enjoyable - you should try it.

We might just do that. Westlife - they swear, drink & have sex just like the rest of us.
Who'd have thought it?

Westlife's new single When You Tell Me That You Love Me is out now.

Credit/Source: More! Magazine