Backstreet Boys are Back!

Rewind to 1999. Pop was at an all time high. Everyone wanted a piece of the Smash Hit's sticker action. Take That were falling apart and Peter Andre's six pack was so like, yesterday. There was only one boyband fit to covet title of Kings of Pop and they were the Backstreet Boys. Kevin, Nick, Brian, AJ and Howie burst onto the scene with "We've Got It Going On" and for me, the world was constantly bathed in sunlight.

Fast forward to May 2008. It's a normal day at InStyle, when the words "AJ McLean" pop up in my inbox. As I click away frantically (hell, I was going to marry him when I was 16) I discover he's playing a secret gig.

One day later, I'm there, elbowing my way to the front of the Indigo2 at the 02 arena. Come 9 o'clock, the excitement levels are nearing hysteria as AJ finally blazes onto stage decked out in a pair of skinny black jeans, T-shirt and flat cap. He works the predominantly female 20-something crowd (who are screaming like teenagers) with his rocky numbers and slick dance moves. The guy oozes charisma, stage presence and hotness - especially when he whips off his shirt.

As his set comes to an end, I head upstairs to the after party, waving my VIP wristband-clad arm in the air. Immediately I spy Nick "I've dated Paris Hilton" Carter. Informing me that his style is influenced by "Eighties films", he says his favourite designer is, "me". No, not me, him. And the word of the moment? "Partner." Moving onto Brian Littrell, in a somewhat state of bafflement, he agrees that "I'll Never Break Your Heart" is a great karaoke song, while the billionaire playboy Prince Azim of Brunei divulges that he's got a new handbag line coming out soon.

After a few more moments of mingling, I finally get to talk to the object of my teenage desires, Mr AJ McLean. His style icons? "Lenny Kravitz and Adam Levine." His look? "A mixture of gothic, rock couture". Fail-safe designer? "Yves Saint Laurent". Favourite look on a girl? "A wife beater, jeans and black high heels works for me." I make a mental note and bid him farewell after telling him that I've loved him since I was 16. Luckily he takes it with a pinch of salt, shakes my hand, smiles for a photo before disappearing into the crowd.