Smash Hits Stephen booklet- May 2000

Stephen: "My Story"

Hi Stephen here,

I hope you like this pull-out. There's some dodgy pics in here but enjoy and thanks so much for all the support. Best wishes always + thanks again,

Stephen

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STEPHEN - THE EARLY YEARS

THE BEGINNING, BOYZONE AND SOLO STUFF, STEPHEN OPENS HIS HEART TO SMASH HITS. . .

ALL ABOUT MY CHILDHOOD. . .
"I have lots of fond memories of growing up in Dublin. I had a happy childhood with a very close family- I'm the youngest of three brothers and a sister.
I seem to remember spending a lot of time hanging out in the playground in Sheriff Street, near where I used to live. There was a boys' playground with slides and a girls' playground with swings. We had a football pitch too.
I grew up in a close community and I remember once a year we'd have a community week where there were competitions for things like snooker, darts and fancy dress. All the kids would queue up and they'd hand us out a packet of crisps, some sweets and a drink each."

MY FIRST TASTE OF THE LIMELIGHT
"One year, when I was about nine I wanted to enter the fancy dress contest, but I knew my parents wouldn't be able to afford a costume ecause we didn't have a lot of money. Anyway, I went home and my dad told me to go out on to the streets and pick up as much litter as I could find. So I spent ages collecting all these crisp bags, lolly wrappers and all sorts of stuff and I took them home. My dad got a big balck bin bag and put my head and arms through it and stuck all the rubbish on me. Then he put a note on it saying, 'Keep Dublin Tidy'.
The judges came round and they announced third and second place and there I was standing there in my bin bag- to my surprise, I won first prize. I was so pleased!"

I HAD A DREAM
"I always knew I wanted to do something in the entertainment industry when I left school, but it wasn't something I was pushed in to. I loved drama and dancing at school and I would always be the first one who'd get up in front of the class to do some acting. I had a good drama teacher who encouraged me, but I think a lot of my teachers thought I should stick my head in books and concentrate on studying so I'd get a good job when I left school. My ambition was to be successful doing something to do with music- not necessarily being famous. Coming from a poor family, I didn't want to have to worry about money when I was older.
I had a dream and I wasn't going to let anyone take that away from me."

MY FIRST TASTE OF FAME
"When I auditioned for Boyzone I was confident because it was something I really wanted and I thought, 'Right. I'm going to do this." And I went in there andI danced and I sang George Michael's Careless Whisper, Lionel Ritchie's Hello and Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx.
Of course I felt nervous the first time I got up on stage with Boyzone- I still suffer with nerves! But it's a mixture of apprehension and excitement. Acually, I was quie nervous when I had to sing a Michael Jackson song on a TV show last night. I hadn't had much time to practise, so I was concentrating on remembering all the words!"

THE ROAD TO FAME
"It wasn't like we had overnight fame once we got together, but then I think you should have to work hard to get what you want. Success can't just be handed to you on a plate. In the early days we spent a year driving round Ireland in a Transit van doing little gigs at 1.30am in the morning. When Boyzone started out people assumed there'd be rivalry between us and Take That, but we didn't see the point of competition. We just wanted to get out there and do our own thing and I think that most important thing for me was to be nice to people on the way up because it's true what they say- you do meet them on the way down.
I didn't know how far Boyzone were going to go, but I was willing to risk everything for the chance to make it.
I did get homesick on our first tour, but I had four best mates on the road to cheer me up when I felt down. I would hang out with the guys a lot and phone home every day."

SUCCESS!
"Once the band took off and I started earning a bit of money, I wanted to treat my parents. But they didn't want a big, flash house because they like it where they live and all their mates are there, so I gave them some money to do their old house up. If they ever do decide to move, I'll help them out.
There have been so many great times with Boyzone that I couldn't possibly pick out my best one- winning our first Smash Hits award was amazing, so was being on TV, especially our first time on Top Of The Pops. Then there's travelling the world, meeting four great guys, making money, being successful and having thousands of great fans. It can never just be one thing!
I feel very different from the rest of the group, but we do have a lot in common. I can relate to them all, but at the same time we're very different. I think that's why we're still best mates after six years and we're still going as a group."

MY HAIR AND ME
"Have I changed much? I don't know. Looking back over all our SH covers, I think I look prety much the same- it must be all the moisturisers I use! I think my hair's awful on some of these photos- it looked horrible when I dyed it. I've basically had the same haircut since we started out!"


STEPHEN - THE SMASH HITS YEARS

THE AWARDS!
"It's incredible to look back on the first SH tour- we had no idea that things would get so big. We've been on so many covers and it's incredible to look back on them all. I remember that incredible year at Poll Winners when we won six awards (1998). It's so great because they're voted for by the readers. We've watched so many bands win awards over the years and never dreamed that we'd win one day!"

THE COVERS!
7 DEC 1994
"Boyzone's first ever Smash Hits cover is my favourite one. It was amazing getting out first, because once you've got that you know you've made it. It's the only magazine I used to read- I remember rushing out to buy it when Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan were on the cover. On Wednesdays I used to go and get my mum's shopping and I'd be allowed to get Smash Hits on the way home! I couldn't believe it when I finally saw myself in it.
It's weird to look back on it now, six years later. Look at my sideburns! Look at Ronan! We all look so young."

THE INTERVIEWS!
"DID I REALLY SAY THAT?"
Stephen looks back on his mutterings over the years. . .
"IF I RESEMBLED ANY ANIMAL IT WOULD PROBABLY BE A CHIHUAHUA" January 1995
"Did I say a chihuahua? I wouldn't like to think of myself as that now. Mind you, my dogs do have a very good life, but they're not chihuahuas- one's a shih-tzu and the other's an American cocker spaniel! They're a little bit spoilt though!"

"EUUURRGGHH! I'VE NEVER FANCIED A BLOKE, NOT EVEN A HUNKY ONE IN A MAGAZINE" January 1995
"What do you say when a question's thrown at you like that? You kind of panic. I said the first thing that came into my head. It was very hard for me at that time. Can you imagine being under that much pressure? I was doing so many interviews with different magazines and I was constantly being asked, 'Who are you dating?' and 'Which girl do you fancy?' When a question like that pops up you panic. I regret ever having to answer that question- I wish I'd never been asked those things because they just thow up problems later."

"SOMETIMES I LOOK AT PICTURES OF MESELF AND THINK, 'AH, YOU DON'T LOOK HALF BAD.' BUT OTHER DAYS I'LL LOOK AND THINK, 'URGH!' THAT'S MOST OF THE TIME ACTUALLY" March 1998
"I'm still the same. I look ugly in the majority of these pictures (flicking through his SH covers). I don't like a lot of them. I've always been tough on my appearance and I do spend a lot of time looking after my skin and moisturising. Not in a vain way- I just want to look after myself. I'm still not confident about the way I look. I'll look at photos of myself and I'll be saying, 'I'm too fat there,' or 'Me hair's horrible here.'

"A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LET ME DOWN. BUT I'VE LEARNT A LOT." May 1999
"Yeah, I've learned a lot about people. I would say that some people have let me down, but they will always do that. You have to learn how to deal with it. Generally my real friends are always there for me and they've never let me down. If I need something, they'll be there. What goes around comes around. The band are still really really close and I know we'll always be there for each other."


STEPHEN - MY LIFE NOW

FRESH START
"I'm happier than I've ever been now. It seems weird looking back on my six years with Boyzone because I was only 17 when I started out and I think I've changed a lot.
I think the biggest change has been since June 16 last year when I 'came out'. A lot has changed for me, but it's definitely for the better. I'm more relaxed now- before I couldn't be myself and I used to be so paranoid that it would all come out about me being gay.
It really is a weight off my shoulders- the main thing is that the support has been unbelieveable. I've had so many letters and good wishes from fans, so thanks again to everyone!
I've always enjoyed being in Boyzone and making music, but if I had to say what's been my happiest time I'd definitely say now. Before, I had so many worries about coming out and now I'm enjoying my work and it's nice to know that people are still supporting me.
People often ask me why I didn't come out earlier, but I had to wait for the right time. I didn't know how everyone would react. Even if I'd known how supportive people would be, I don't think I would have come out sooner. I think the way it happened was the way it was meant to be."

THE LESSONS I'VE LEARNT
"Being in Boyzone has taught me so much and I've learned a lot about life from travelling the world. I've learned how tough people can be, how bad people can be and also how good they can be. And how life can go up and down so people can be successful one day and nowhere the next. I've grown up with Boyzone so I've learned how to take care of myself and deal with difficult situations- even the simple, practical things like eating with the right knife and fork!
I don't regret my time in Boyzone and I know there have been some dark moments as well as the good times, but I never wish I hadn't become famous. If I hadn't been in the group, a lot of things in my life wouldn't have been so good. I wouldn't have had financial success and stability, I wouldn't have met Eloy and I wouldn't have met four of my best mates in the world. My career has given me the chance to visit other countries and taste exotic food- I've been to some amazing places like Singapore, Japan and Bahrain. I think if I hadn't been in Boyzone I'd like to have been an actor or dance teacher. But I wouldn't give all this up for a quiet life, no way."

MY FUTURE
"I still have loads of ambitions. I hope A New Beginning is successful- I really want it to do well and I'm working really hard on it. I'm scared, but I enjoyed doing it so I hope people will enjoy it to. If it does well I'll be the happiest person in the world, but if not, at least I've tried. What then? I'd like to do some acting and I've been having talks about a musical, so watch this space."

MY POP STAR MATES
"I've met so many nice people over the years. It's hard to make friends in the music business because you only see people once in a while because everyone's so busy.
I met ANT AND DEC on our first Smash Hits Tour and I'm still mates with them. They've done really well with their telly shows. I can't believe how long they've been in the picture! I saw them at The Brits and we had a good chat.
I've known ROBBIE since the early days- I haven't seen him for a while, but I'll always go up to him and say hello.
ALL SAINTS are great. I'm good friends with Shaznay, but I hadn't seen her for about a year and a half, then last month I was signing autograph's at the airport and I felt this hand up against my throat and it was her! It was really nice to see her.
I sent MEL C a message when her single got to number one- I'm really pleased for her because she's so cool."

STEPHEN - WHAT'S HE REALLY LIKE?
WE ASKED TWO OF THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW HIM BEST- MIKEY BOYZONE AND STEPHEN'S BIG SISTER MICHELLE. . .

MIKEY ON STEPHEN
"I met Stephen at the auditions for Boyzone. My first impressions of him were that he was a high-spirited young guy and maybe a bit mysterious. He was really good-looking and you could tell he took care of himself. We did our auditions and then chatted a bit. He lived around the corner, so I gave him a lift home. Then I saw him again about three months later when I got in to Boyzone. He used to get very homesick when we started out- we all did. It was a big change- going from a quiet life in Dublin to travelling all over the world. It took a lot of adjustment. Stephen's a lovely guy- very genuine and still down to earth. I suppose he's changed since we started out, but it's been for the better. I guess he was struggling a lot in the early days with everything that was going on in his head. The rest of Boyzone all knew from day one that he was gay but we kept it to ourselves because we were really protective of each other. We still are.
There were a lot of times in the early days when Stephen looked unhappy. He never showed it to the fans though. No matter what was going on in his personal life, the moment the camera was on him he'd have a big smile on his face. You'd never know there was anyhing wrong with him. He's such a professional. Then as soon as he came off stage or whatever he'd be so depressed again.
Stephen's so much happier and relaxed since he came out and you can tell he's happy with who he is. I think he coped fine with the attention it brought. The great thing about it is when you conquer something that you fear, your confidence rises. And I think that's what's happened with Stephen- he's got a lot more confidence now.
The happiest I've seen him was on the last Boyzone tour. I remember when we were up in Glasgow last Christmas and Eloy was with us, we were all dancing and messing about. I looked over at Stephen and he had a smile from ear to ear."

MICHELLE ON STEPHEN
"I'm so proud of Stephen, but I always had a good feeling about him. Out of all my brothers, he's the one I thought would do something special. I remember he used to practise his singing around he house and he'd ask me what I thought. I'd always encourage him, even though my mum and dad would sometimes be like, 'Oh, shut up.'
When he went for the Boyzone audition he was so determined and he'd worked so hard beforehand. I did keep pushing him- not that I needed to! We used to watch TOTP every week and Stephen would say, 'I'll be on here some day.' And our brothers'd just laughed at him!
The first time I saw Stephen on TV I was so emotional- I couldn't believe it. From then on, it seemed like every channel I turned on- there he was! Stephen and I have always been close and I don't think fame has changed him at all. I've seen him go through three different stages really. He was quite a shy child, but when he got to about 12 he started to come out of his shell- I think that was when he knew what he wanted to do. When he got to about 14 or 15 he used to teach younger children to dance down at the community centre.
Now, I'm amazed at how confident Stephen is. He'll call me up just before he's about to go on TV or I remember he phoned me as he was about to go on stage at Wembley and he was as cool as ice. So he's gone from being a quiet and tame child to someone who can play live to thousands of people.
Stephen still rings me every day. He called me this morning, and I'll probably hear from him again before I go to sleep. He does like to look after me and he's a lovely godfather to my little but, Jordan, who's four."

WHAT'S HE LOIKE?
Boyzone have spent the last six years working, touring and sometimes being together for every minute of the day. And they're still very close mates. So what do the rest of the band think of Stephen?
"He's the favourite," said Shane. "He always will be. The fans think he's cute and loveable, even I think so, so I can't blame anyone else!"
The band always stick together and when Stephen told the world he was gay they were the first to offer their support.
"The fans stood by me when Yvonne and I got married and I hope they stand by Stephen. Talking about this takes courage and I'll always love him for that," said Ronan. Keith agreed: "I love Stephen like a brother and it's his business who he goes out with."



DESERT ISLAND STEPHEN
WE THREATEN TO MAROON STEPHEN- WHAT WILL HE TAKE WITH HIM?

SONG
King Of My Castle or Pure Shores.

BOOK
I'd have to take a really thick book like the Lord Of The Rings which would last me a couple of years or something about meditation.

CLOTHING
Swimming shorts and maybe a big furry coat to keep me warm at night.

LUXURY
A house. Is that luxury enough?

PERSON
Eloy.

PACKED LUNCH
A sausage and egg sandwich with brown sauce on granary bread, but the sausages have to be from Ireland 'cos they're delicious.

AN EXTRA POSSESSION
My boat, my doggies, two goldfish, dog food, a phone (OK, that's enough!)