Kevin Richardson (musician)
Encyclopedia
Kevin Scott Richardson is an American
singer and a former member of the Backstreet Boys
, model, actor, and composer. He was the oldest member of the band during his tenure.
. He is the youngest of three brothers. He is of Irish, English, and Native American decent.
As a youth, he was a chess club member and acted in school plays such as "Bye, Bye Birdie" at Estill County High School in Kentucky. He was also a football quarterback.
In Florida, he landed the role of "Aladdin
" and one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Walt Disney World, where he met his future wife Kristin Willits, who was playing the character of "Belle
" from "Beauty and the Beast." He worked at Walt Disney World until he joined the Backstreet Boys
in 1993.
, who is Richardson's maternal first cousin, joined the Backstreet Boys. After Littrell joined, the quintet officially took shape. Richardson was part of the group until 2006, when he announced his departure. He recorded a total of five albums with the group.
In June 2006, Richardson left the Backstreet Boys to pursue other interests and "move on with the next chapter of [his] life." He issued the following statement on the band's website on June 23, 2006:
The group has not ruled out a return for the singer.
On November 14, 2006, he returned to New York City with many Chicago alumni for the 10th anniversary of the show. After that from late November to December 3, 2006 Richardson played the role of Billy Flynn in Toronto, and from February 4 to March 4, 2007 he played the role in Japan.
During the final show of the Backstreet Boys Unbreakable Tour
in 2008, Kevin rejoined the group to sing the encore.
Richardson composed the soundtrack of the animated movie, The Spirit Bear, which was due out in 2010.
On the November 4, 2010 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show
, Richardson reunited with the group, appearing first in a pre-taped segment in which they surprised a fan who thought she was merely being flown in to participate in a "Backstreet Boys' Biggest Fan" contest. Moments later, Richardson joined the group live in the Oprah Winfrey Show studio to perform a live rendition of their hit, "I Want It That Way
."
On July 1, 2011, Kevin rejoined the Backstreet Boys and NKOTB on stage in Staples Center, LA. He sang "I Want It That Way
" and the mash up at the end of the show.
It has been confirmed that Kevin will be rejoining the Backstreet Boys on their 2nd annual cruise in December 2011 & all signs point towards him very possibly rejoining on a more regular basis, as he mentioned on the Ryan Seacrest show.
for Versace with Ashton Kutcher
. He also modeled for Vogue and he is a brand ambassador for TAG Heuer.
production of Chicago
. He also performed this role in London's West End
as well as Toronto in November 2006 – December 2006.
Kevin made appearances with The Backstreet Boys on Arthur
and Sesame Street
.
He played the role of Cyrus in the 2009 film Love Takes Wing
based on the Janette Oke book.
In 2010, Kevin starred opposite Susan Traylor, Daniela Sea
, Pleasant Gehman
, Garrett Swann
and Michael Maize
in Steve Balderson
's feature film drama "The Casserole Club," currently in post-production.
's to Leighanne Wallace
was announced on MTV in February 2000. The couple married on June 17, 2000 at Lee County's Cathedral Domain in Kentucky. They welcomed their first child together, son Mason Richardson on July 3, 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and a former member of the Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
, model, actor, and composer. He was the oldest member of the band during his tenure.
Early years
Kevin Richardson was born in Lexington, KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. He is the youngest of three brothers. He is of Irish, English, and Native American decent.
As a youth, he was a chess club member and acted in school plays such as "Bye, Bye Birdie" at Estill County High School in Kentucky. He was also a football quarterback.
In Florida, he landed the role of "Aladdin
Aladdin
Aladdin is a Middle Eastern folk tale. It is one of the tales in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights , and one of the most famous, although it was actually added to the collection by Antoine Galland ....
" and one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Walt Disney World, where he met his future wife Kristin Willits, who was playing the character of "Belle
Belle
Belle is the feminine form of the French word which means beautiful.It may also refer to:-Business:* Belle Baby Carriers, a U.S. baby carrier manufacturer* Belle International, a Chinese footwear retailer-Computers and software:...
" from "Beauty and the Beast." He worked at Walt Disney World until he joined the Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
in 1993.
The Backstreet Boys
Also in 1993, Brian LittrellBrian Littrell
Brian Thomas Littrell is an American singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the Backstreet Boys. He is also a contemporary Christian recording artist and released a solo album, Welcome Home, in 2006...
, who is Richardson's maternal first cousin, joined the Backstreet Boys. After Littrell joined, the quintet officially took shape. Richardson was part of the group until 2006, when he announced his departure. He recorded a total of five albums with the group.
In June 2006, Richardson left the Backstreet Boys to pursue other interests and "move on with the next chapter of [his] life." He issued the following statement on the band's website on June 23, 2006:
"After 13 years of what can only be described as a dream come true, I have decided that it is time to leave the Backstreet Boys. It was a very tough decision for me but one that was necessary in order to move on with the next chapter of my life. Howard, Brian, Alex and Nick will always be my little brothers and have my utmost love and support. I would like to thank the Backstreet fans for all the beautiful memories we have shared together and look forward to including you in the next phase of my life. I wish my brothers continued success and look forward to their new album."
The group has not ruled out a return for the singer.
On November 14, 2006, he returned to New York City with many Chicago alumni for the 10th anniversary of the show. After that from late November to December 3, 2006 Richardson played the role of Billy Flynn in Toronto, and from February 4 to March 4, 2007 he played the role in Japan.
During the final show of the Backstreet Boys Unbreakable Tour
Unbreakable Tour
The Backstreet Boys' Unbreakable Tour was a 2008-2009 concert tour. This was the first Backstreet Boys tour without Kevin Richardson. He did, however, join his band again at the end of the tour in Los Angeles....
in 2008, Kevin rejoined the group to sing the encore.
Richardson composed the soundtrack of the animated movie, The Spirit Bear, which was due out in 2010.
On the November 4, 2010 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
, Richardson reunited with the group, appearing first in a pre-taped segment in which they surprised a fan who thought she was merely being flown in to participate in a "Backstreet Boys' Biggest Fan" contest. Moments later, Richardson joined the group live in the Oprah Winfrey Show studio to perform a live rendition of their hit, "I Want It That Way
I Want It That Way
"I Want It That Way" is a song by the Backstreet Boys, and their first single from their 1999 album Millennium. It was written by Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson along with other producers. The song was highly played on the radio and the video, directed by Wayne Isham, was well played on television...
."
On July 1, 2011, Kevin rejoined the Backstreet Boys and NKOTB on stage in Staples Center, LA. He sang "I Want It That Way
I Want It That Way
"I Want It That Way" is a song by the Backstreet Boys, and their first single from their 1999 album Millennium. It was written by Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson along with other producers. The song was highly played on the radio and the video, directed by Wayne Isham, was well played on television...
" and the mash up at the end of the show.
It has been confirmed that Kevin will be rejoining the Backstreet Boys on their 2nd annual cruise in December 2011 & all signs point towards him very possibly rejoining on a more regular basis, as he mentioned on the Ryan Seacrest show.
Modeling career
He has been a modelModel (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
for Versace with Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher
Christopher Ashton Kutcher , best known as Ashton Kutcher, is an American actor, producer, former fashion model and comedian, best known for his portrayal of Michael Kelso in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show...
. He also modeled for Vogue and he is a brand ambassador for TAG Heuer.
Acting career
In 2002 he played the role of "Billy Flynn" in the BroadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of Chicago
Chicago (musical)
Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago. The music is by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal"...
. He also performed this role in London's West End
West End of London
The West End of London is an area of central London, containing many of the city's major tourist attractions, shops, businesses, government buildings, and entertainment . Use of the term began in the early 19th century to describe fashionable areas to the west of Charing Cross...
as well as Toronto in November 2006 – December 2006.
Kevin made appearances with The Backstreet Boys on Arthur
Arthur (TV series)
Arthur is an American/Canadian animated educational television series for children, created by Cookie Jar Group and WGBH for the Public Broadcasting Service...
and Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
.
He played the role of Cyrus in the 2009 film Love Takes Wing
Love Takes Wing
Love Takes Wing is a Christian drama and the seventh TV movie based on a series of books by Janette Oke. It aired on Hallmark Channel on April 4, 2009...
based on the Janette Oke book.
In 2010, Kevin starred opposite Susan Traylor, Daniela Sea
Daniela Sea
Daniela Sea is an American filmmaker musician, performance artist, former circus juggler, and actress. She is most widely known for her role as Max/Moira on Showtime's The L Word.-History:...
, Pleasant Gehman
Pleasant Gehman
Pleasant Gehman is a magazine writer, poet, actor, dancer and musician from Los Angeles.In the 1980s, she was the singer for the punk rock band Screamin' Sirens, and later, The RIngling Sisters and Honk If Yer Horny. All three bands have released numerous titles on vinyl, as well as cd...
, Garrett Swann
Garrett Swann
Garrett Swann is an American actor. He has appeared on television shows such as The Assistant, Fashion House, and The 70's House. Other credits include Milk, 10 Attitudes and Wild Child.-External links:...
and Michael Maize
Michael Maize
Michael Maize is an American motion picture and television actor, perhaps best known for his role of Daniel in the film National Treasure: Book of Secrets.-Biography:...
in Steve Balderson
Steve Balderson
Stephen Clark Balderson is an American film director.-Early life:Balderson was born in Manhattan, Kansas and raised in nearby Wamego, Kansas until the age of twelve, when his family moved to Manhattan. Balderson attended Manhattan High School. Though his class attendance was poor, Balderson...
's feature film drama "The Casserole Club," currently in post-production.
Personal life
Kevin's engagement to Kristin Willits, along with Brian LittrellBrian Littrell
Brian Thomas Littrell is an American singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the Backstreet Boys. He is also a contemporary Christian recording artist and released a solo album, Welcome Home, in 2006...
's to Leighanne Wallace
Leighanne Wallace
Leighanne Reena Wallace Littrell is a former American model and actress.Wallace met Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell in June 1997, when she appeared in the Backstreet Boys' music videos "As Long As You Love Me" and "I'll Never Break Your Heart". Littrell proposed on Christmas night 1999, and they...
was announced on MTV in February 2000. The couple married on June 17, 2000 at Lee County's Cathedral Domain in Kentucky. They welcomed their first child together, son Mason Richardson on July 3, 2007.
External links
- Kristin Richardson Online Source for Kevin's wife Kristin (also known as Kristin Willits)
- The Casserole Club movie - official site at Dikenga Films