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SHANE
Did
you act like crazy tourists in the U.S. of A?
We
went to Disney World and I did the dodgiest thing ever. I hate roller coasters.
Hate them! But there was this thing called the Aerosmith Rock’n’Roller
Coaster – supposedly one of the fastest roller coaster ever. The other lads
had been on it the day before when I was at my sister’s wedding, so they knew
exactly what it was. But they told me it was a theme ride through Aerosmith
concert footage. I didn’t have a clue! I sat in the seat next to Nicky and
just as I realised Nicky said: ‘Sorry, Shane!’ I started shrieking, I can
tell you! It was 0-60 in two seconds – like a fighter jet. I was shouting
every bad name under the sun. It was brilliant though – I went on it another
four times!
You
must have gone on a few mad American shopping sprees?
Well,
I kind of did. I bought 20 pairs of trainer ankle socks for some reasons! I know
you can get them anywhere, but I’d never worn them before.
Who
spent the most obscene amount of money?
Well,
I bought a Rolex and thought I was actually saving money. But then I worked out
the sterling rate and… Well, I ended up spending £3,000 on this watch when I
thought it was 2,000! Nicky and Mark bought Breitlings, Kian got a Rolex. Bryan
waited and got his Breitlings at Harrods.
Were
you adventurous when it came to trying out new food?
I’m
not into trying weird food. I try to eat healthily, but if we see a McDonald’s,
we’re hungry right away.
Any
wild nights out clubbing?
It
was really hard cos they are very strict about drinking under the age of 21.
Nicky was the only one who was 21, but Mark borrowed Nicky’s passport a few
times and got away with it.
So
he broke the law?
Well…
(Clearly not wanting to answer.) He had to wear a cap!
So
are American fans more attractive?
Not
really. But American girls have beautiful skin, you know. Maybe it’s cos they
are browner. All we had to do was speak – they loved that!
What
lengths did the fans go to to meet you?
A
lot of them tried to sneak in by saying they were related to us or they were
Irish. Some actually got backstage. American girls are very good talkers. (Shane,
ever the diplomatic Westlife!)
Did
any of you cop off?
Cop
off? Mark did, but not me – I’m a good boy!
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SHANE
How
cool are you?
(Laughing)
I dunno, I don't try to be cool, if i'm cool then i'm cool. Everyone has good
days, everyone has bad days and everyone's cool at some stage. I'd say i'm about
50-50.
What's the hottest place you've been to?
Dubai,
the heat was unbeleivable. Luckily we were performing indoors with
air-conditioing.
Do you get a tan easily?
I
need to stay out in the sun for a good hour then I get a bit of colour. Once I
get the slightest bit of colour then i'll go brown.
What gets you hot and bothered?
If
anyone says anything about my family I totally freak out. I'm proud of my family
and where i'm from. But i've never actually thumped anybody - i'd rather talk
myself out of that.
Do you dress to impress?
Yeah,
I always try to look my best. Fans don't want to see us looking terrible, so we
kind of owe it to them to make an effort.
Do you act cool around the ladies?
A
lot of the time i'll just stare at a girl. I don't care if they look at me or
catch me doing it, i'll just stare at their legs or whatever. The boys are
always like, "What are you doing? She knows you're doing it," and i'm
like, "So?" I'd just like to say sorry to all the girls i've stared
at, especially if it made them feel uncomfortable. Sorry!
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Thanks
to Iris van Leeuwen for this article!
The
exclusive in-depth interview:
Shane Filan
OK! visits the talented lead singer of Irish pop sensation Westlife at the
beautiful Clontarf Castle in Dublin.
In less than two years, Irish popband Westlife have become one of the
world's top pop groups, selling millions of records worldwide. After
conquering Europe with their debut album Westlife and achieving an
incredible five number ones in the UK, they are now preparing to crack the
US market with their winning combination of great voices, endearing songs
and, of course, good looks!
OK! joined the lads at Dublin's beautiful Clontarf Castle Hotel to
celebrate lead singer Shane Filan's recent 21st birthday. Shane heralds
from the north-west county of Sligo, along with bandmates Kian Egan and
Mark Feehily. The remainig singers, Nicky Byrne and Bryan McFadden, are
both Dublin boys - and proud of it!
After a gruelling six-week promotional tour of the States, it was clear on
meeting the lads that they were extremely happy to be home and back on
Irish soil. Clontarf Castle was converted into a luxury hotel two years
ago and is now one of the city's top places to stay. Clontarf holds a
special place in Irish history as the place where Ireland's heroic High
King Bryan Boru laid on a hot reception for travellers from the Nordic
shores. Clontarf's staff gave the fun-loving popstars a welcome to
remember, too! Relaxing in the Castle's stunning, 13th-century entry hall,
complete with original thrones - perfect for Ireland's princes of pop,
they enjoyed some typical Irish
hospitality, courtesy of the hotel. After a couple of pints of traditional
Irish stout in the hotel's hostelry, with its medieval candle chandeliers
and goblets, they look advantage of the grand piano, playing a few bars of
their five number one singles, Flying Without Wings and Swear it Again.
Here OK! speaks exclusively to Shane about his recent birthday
celebrations, the forthcoming album and about life in one of the most
succesful pop groups in the world.
Shane, you celebrated your 21st birthday recently with a huge party at
Dublin's famous Lillies Bordello club. How was it?
It
was a great night. Everyone loked so happy and that was the main thing I
wanted. Everybody I invited came too, so it was great to be surrounded by
my family and friends. Lillies was a great venue. It has had loads of
renovations and I've never seen it looking so great - it's a beautiful
club.
What did you do on your actual birthday?
We opened the Harrods summer sale in London during the day and then we
came home in the evening. I had dinner with my family and then I went out
with my friends at night time. Let's just say I had a typical 21st - I had
a pretty late night and paid the price for it the next day! It was a
brilliant birthday.
All of your family, including your six brothers and sisters, were with
you at your celebration in Dublin. Was it important for you to be
surrounded by them?
Definitely. My family are the most important thing in the world to me. I've
always said that. They've looked after me all my life and, as the yougest
of seven kids, I've grown up surrounded by people who love me for me, not
what I do.
So what presents did you get?
My mum and dad got me a horse and it was a complete surprise! I didn't
know what they were getting me because they kept saying: 'We don't know
what to get you, it's hard to buy you a present now you're in a big pop
band'. I really wanted a horse, but I had a feeling they wouldn't have got
me one. We have a horse already, but it's getting old, so when they gave
it to me I couldn't believe it. It's an amazing looking horse, beautiful.
What have you called him?
We're thinking of Carlton Clover, as my family own a restaurant called
Carlton's and we fancied naming the horse after it. We used to own a horse
called Nalif which is our family name, Filan, spelt backwards.
Your friends laid on a massive cake complete with an iced microphone.
Were you please with it?
It was brilliant. Joanne Byrne organised everything for me and she is a
star. Joanne, our manager Louis Walsh and Valerie Rose, the manager of
Lillies, made sure I had nothing to worry about. I actually gave the cake
to the National Children's Hospital in Dublin.
The last year was incredibly succesful - five number ones and Record of
the Yeas. Did you have any idea Westlife would become so huge?
I don't think any of us expected the succes we have. We've broken the UK
now and hopefullt we can go further afield with the same succes. America
is our next big challenge. A lot of bands have done well in the UK, but
not in the States, it just wasn't the right time. But now, especially with
the succes of the Backstreet Boys, there is a chance. The Spice Girls did
it because it proved to be the perfect time for them and we're just hoping
it is the perfect time for us.
Looking back over the past year, what do you feel have been the highest
points?
Winning Record of the Year was the biggest moment of last year. I remember
when the 28.000 votes came in, I jumped up and ripped my shirt open. I
lokked down and thought, what have I done? But I was just so happy. It was
a funny night, emotional, but funny.
They must be rare, but what have been the lower points of your succes
and fame?
Well, these days, we get to stay in lovely hotels, but it wasn't always
like that. In the early days, we used to all pile in one car to get around
and shared rooms to keep costs down.
You're only 21, but you're experiencing things that even people twice
your age would have trouble dealing with. How do you cope?
Well, after a while, you realise you need your space. It's not healthy,
you need to get some private space. I love horse riding, it's a great way
to relax. Just going home is great. My family own a cafe, which I've lived
over all my life and it's in the dead centre of the city in Sligo. It's
nice to do normal things with them.
You're all so down to earth. Are you ever tempted to throw a tantrum?
I think its down to the way you're brought up. We're all from pretty big
families, with really normal backgrounds, so that has a lot to do it.
Basically, we're conscious of not letting it all go to our heads.
Talking of America, you're planning a tour out there. Are you looking
forward to that?
We've just got back from the States, actually. We've been doing
promotional things, such as radio roadshows, very similar to London's
Party in the Park. The first single has done really well over there, too,
so we're keeping our fingers crossed.
What did you think of Party in the Park?
It was great, but the lads have joked about me coming off the stage and
not realising who Prince Charles was and handing him the microphone! You
see, most of the time when you come off stage, there's someone there to
ask our mics and, as Prince Charles was at the side of the stage watching
the show, I held out my hand to give him my microphone. The boys all
thought it was hilarious!
What else can your fans look forward to?
We'll be releasing three more singles here in ther UK, one with Mariah
Carey in August, another one in October and then a Christmas single. We're
all really excited about the Mariah Carey single - it's a cover of the
Phil Collins song 'Against all Odds'. Mark's a huge fan of Mariah, so
getting to work with her in the flesh was great for him.
The End.
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