Finnish Magazine- September 2000

Boyzone-lads compete of popularity

IS RONAN BETTER?

Ronan Keating, 23, and Stephen Gately, 24, who are out of Boyzone right

now, are now competing which one is doing better on their solocareers. Ronan

is leading their playful competition but for how long?

Former Boyzone stars Ronan and Stephen have just released their

own solo albums, the success of which is measured with hit singles among

other things. Ronan has two and Stephen, for the time being, only one. "We

aren't competing of success between the two of us. We make different kind of

music although the target group is pretty much the same", say both Ronan and

Stephen.

The mates support each other and admit that they are competing of

success only playfully. "We are very good friends and that won't

change. Stephen is a very warm-hearted guy to whom I wish all the best in

life", Ro says. "Ronan has been like a "little brother" to me although he has

been the one of the lads who is the boss of the band and who takes care of the

well-being of others. I'm very proud of his achievements", says

Stephen.

Ronan is leading their competition but as they both assure, it

doesn't affect their friendship in any way which one is doing better. The only

level that is interested in their contest is probably their record company

which is the same as their biggest accomplishment's, Boyzone's.

The good and bad sides of the lads:

STEO

+ sensitivity which appeals to women. Although Steo isn't even

interested in the opposite sex...

+ "came out of the closet" and admitted his homosexuality. Now Stephen

is planning a wedding with his boyfriend Eloy.

+ He dares to tell in public that he believes in the supernatural and

sees ghosts.

+ Steo loves cooking. A man who can cook is every partner's dream

+ hated sports in school. Didn't we all?

- Stephen is quite a wimp. He doesn't have the charisma that Ro has.

- Dates a man. Broke the hearts of many teenage girls by admitting that

they could never have him.

- Stephen sleeps with the lights on because he's afraid of the dark. A

grown-up man!

- loves the Teletubbies which would be quite nice if Steo was 6 years

old...

- high-pitched voice. And a relatively insignificant debut album.

RO

+ Ronan is eatably cute and he has (almost) the most beautiful blue

eyes in the world.

+ Ro has a reputation of a nice guy. He's considered a laughing,

sensitive and sympathic handsome guy.

+ He doesn't brag with his success or money

+ A fabulous voice which he preferably uses in beautiful ballads.

+ charismatic stylishness

- He does too many things. He sings, does show-hosting and probably

acts soon too. So he burns the candle from both ends.

- Ro is messy. He leaves his dirty socks to the place where he took

them off.

- His wife Yvonne who hangs on her famous husband and follows him

everywhere. And she loves publicity!

- Ro loves the traditional British foods which tells a lot of his

taste.

- Makes a little too soft music.