U.S. OF AAARGH!
continued
NICKY
We hear you went on a few outrageous shopping sprees.
Well, Kian would say he was the worst, but I'd say it was me. We both went mad as soon as we got to LA. I've spent an absolute fortune - more than £5,000!
Didn't it cost you in excess baggage?
We never have to pay excess baggage cos Anto (Westlife's tour manager) always gives out pictures of the band or signed albums. We call Aer Lingus the big, green bird - they always seems happy to see us!
Was the American food up to standard?
I didn't like things like grits (gritty American breakfast dish). In Manhattan we stayed in an Irish hotel, which served stew, cabbage and potatoes and stuff - lovely! It has to be said, though, that Ronald McDonald and the Kentucky Fried Chicken colonel are absolutely legends and will get a thank you on our next album!
Did you run up against any unexpected language barriers?
The record company over there soon picked up a few words we use, like 'knackered'. At first they'd say, 'What's knockered?' but the next day some of the guys were using it nearly every other word!
Would you ever consider moving to LA?
I could definitely live in LA - it's cool! Although it is very fake. I'd be there for two months then be dying to come home!
Why?
I can't stand fake boobs - they seemed to everywhere in LA! And not just girls have plastic surgery to be more beautiful. It seems automatic that, at a certain age, boys as well as girls have nose jobs!
Any outrageous flirting in the Westlife camp?
There's always flirting going on with us! Bryan was the biggest flirt with the US girls - as usual! He's not really secretive about it. He'll just tell you six months later, 'By the way...' I really thought Mark was going to hit it off with Mandy Moore but he didn't! (See Mark for full details!)
Go on then, divulge the raucous American rock'n'roll stories.
They're quite boring in the States actually cos I am rock'n'roll! I love going on lads' nights out, but it's so difficult there cos of the age thing. So, sorry, it didn't happen!
Mark part of this interview
© 2001 Pami