Westlife Web

Shane Interview

interview from Radio 1, 22 December 1999

Q: What was it like knowing that 55 million people were watching on TV when you played The Smash Hits Poll Winners'Party?
Shane:: "It's scary when you think about it like that. I mean, we did Miss World the night before and if you add up all the people who saw us on TV around the world, the figure was something like a billion! That's kinda quite scary as well.
"So, when you think about how many people actually watch and see the show, it's best just not to think about it. You have to just go out there, give it your all and pretend you're just playing to the audience that's in front of you. Besides, when you have 20 thousand girls screaming at you, it really lifts your spirits up and you just give a great performance."

Q: What was it like doing Miss World - isn't full of lots of old people?
Shane:: "Er ... it was very different. I mean obviously it wasn't full of a thousand screaming fans, but it was a good thing for us to do - good TV, good cross-over TV. We did a great performance and just had a laugh and there were a lot of beautiful women there as well! We really liked Miss Ireland and Miss Germany was beautiful."

Q: There's also rumors of Westlife The Movie?
Shane:: "We've got a few scripts through from different producers for a Westlife Movie, but I think we're too busy at the moment. In January we're going to start to try and work on America - yeah, we're going to be very busy next year, but maybe the year after."

Q: Would it be a similar sort of thing to The Spice Girls movie?
Shane:: "A bit more serious I think. The Spice Girls are a bit more fun. I think we'll try and get a bit more of a serious feel - you know, all about the band."

Q: Would it be along the lines of you all playing yourselves, something on the history of the band?
Shane:: "We just don't know yet. It will all depends on what script we take at the end. At the moment it's in our plans but it honestly won't be for another two years down the line. We've got so much to do. I think we'd like to do a movie when we're a much bigger band than we are now. In two years we intend to be one of the biggest bands in the world ... that's our intentions anyway."

Q: You got very big very quickly. If you keep following that path then you are looking to be huge.
Shane:: "Yeah. If it does keep going on as it is then we are going to be, hopefully, very, very big and very, very happy, 'cause basically it'll be our dreams come true."

Q: The Spice Girls were very big two years ago and they got all the worst awards. Are you ready for this?
Shane:: "I think no matter how big you get, you'll always get bad things happening to you as well. I mean I know Mel C got five Worst Awards, but she's still a very successful artist and if people still want to do that to her, fair enough. I don't think she'll be too worried about it."

Q: Who would you like to play you in the Westlife movie?
Shane:: "Brad Pitt or Matt from Friends would be good (laughs)."