westlifeweb.com - Interviews - 'Westlife Uncovered' November 2000

Westlife Uncovered

News of the World November 3rd 2000

WESTLIFE are heading for a sensational SEVENTH No1 in a row on Sunday with their new single My Love.

Now the five Irish lads – Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Bryan McFadden and Nicky Byrne – have dropped their guard - and their trousers - to reveal their thoughts on fame, money, love and being in the mega band. We kick off our two-part interview with Kian and Shane.

I told mum I'd make a million by 21 ... I've done it at 20

Kian the money ... he may have lost his trousers but Kian won't lose his shirt

YOU might imagine that the fresh-faced boys from Westlife are all being ripped off by crooked accountants and managers - but you couldn't be more wrong.

While most bands would be out on the town after a performance, splashing out on champagne and cocaine, you will find cherub-faced 20-year-old Kian Egan back in his hotel room hunched over his computer, checking balance sheets and speaking to his money men.

Kian, originally from Sligo on the west coast of Ireland, has become the spokesman for the group and although less prominent on record, he communicates daily with record companies and managers.

He is the most confident of the group and tells me: "People are quite cynical and probably think we're being ripped off left, right and centre.

"There is an image of boy bands being taken for a ride but we're not like that. At first we were like, 'We've sold five million albums, er, where's the money?' but now the big money has started to come in.

"When I was 12 I wrote a note to myself which said, 'I'm going to be a millionaire by the time I'm 21 - by Kian Egan.' My parents have still got it.

"I had a lot of drive in me even then and I'm a millionaire on paper already and I'm only 20. There is a lot of money in the pipeline. I am aware it could all be over tomorrow but I know I will be comfortable.

"Nobody's going to rip us off - I'll see to that. I have meetings with our accountant and lawyer once a month. I look at everything and can account for every penny we make. We aren't just puppets.

"Wherever we are in the world, after an appearance I'll be e-mailing the accountant at three in the morning. People might find that shocking - I'm only 20 but I know how this business works and I'm very conscious of our finances and won't let anybody take away what I've worked so hard to achieve.

"I've been working on this for over three years and I gave up the normality of my youth and left school at 17 to achieve it.

"I am investing my money very carefully and for every album we record I will invest in something like a property in Sligo, then a property in London." Kian is single and wary of women, conscious that they may be after him only for his money.

I find him the easiest to talk to out of the five as we sip orange juice at London's Conrad Hotel.

He has an unnerving confidence and air of control - he admits he has aspirations to manage his own bands too and I can see him being around for many years to come.

He tells me: "I've been out with a few models - they have nice clothes, nice bodies and nice hair but I know they're only looking at my wallet.

"I take them out to Pizza Express when they are expecting to go to The Ivy - then I take them back to Pizza Express for the second date - you should see the look on their faces.

"When we go to the cinema I make them pay and that's when you find out their real motives. I've only really been in two serious relationships - one lasted four months and that was very intense and ripped me to bits but I'm just having fun at the moment. I've even been out with a few fans."

The band's second album, Coast To Coast, is out on Monday and could beat The Spice Girls' third LP, Forever, to the top spot.

Kian says Posh Spice confronted him in a London club and claimed her band would trash them in the battle.

I don't believe him when he says: "I don't really care - the fact that we are being put up against them is flattering.

"They've got more to lose than us. Regardless of what happens we have had six No1 hits, which is an incredible achievement."

Indeed, it seems amazing that it was only April 1999 when their debut single, Swear It Again, hit No1.

It was followed by If I Let You Go, Flying Without Wings, I Have A Dream, Fool Again and Against All Odds.

Kian adds: "We've been a bit spoilt really, singles-wise, and it is inevitable that one day we won't get to No1 and that will probably be good for us.

"But we work extremely hard - it's not all champagne, limos and parties for us.

"I have absolutely no doubt that we will crack America - we have the right attitude and the right songs.

"We are a great team. I don't see myself as some sort of leader, I just enjoy getting involved in all aspects of the business. I try and motivate the rest of the boys when they get down."