NKOTB Welcomes Backstreet Boys in Vegas Residency Crossover
Let’s cut to the chase: here’s what you need to know. New Kids On The Block launched their Right Stuff residency at Park MGM’s 5,200-seat Dolby Live theater on June 28, delivering back-to-back ’90s anthems that had fans singing every lyric. Mid-set, as Jordan Knight teased the crowd with “Who wants to marry us back in the ’90s?,” Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys appeared with a cheeky “I Do” banner, instantly igniting the sold-out audience. Moments later, AJ McLean joined the impromptu takeover, and the stage morphed into a ’90s supergroup reunion complete with hugs, high-fives and spontaneous mash-ups of “Step by Step” and “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart).”
Inside sources speaking to TMZ confirm the stage pop-up was unscripted: NKOTB’s members were caught off guard, yet embraced the surprise like old friends. People Magazine reports that Howie and AJ slipped in backstage beforehand, offering genuine props to the NKOTB crew before making their theatrical entrance. Billboard adds that both bands have been in regular contact, swapping production notes and vocal warm-up routines as they prepare for their consecutive Vegas runs.
Social media lit up as fans captured every second on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Hashtags such as #BoyBandTakeover and #NKOTBBackstreetParty surged, with thousands sharing clips of the unexpected crossover. “Best surprise cameo ever,” tweeted one concertgoer, while another penned on Reddit, “This is the unity we’ve waited decades for.” The dual performance of “As Long As You Love Me” scored trending status on YouTube, racking up millions of views in under 24 hours and proving that boy band fandom remains fiercely alive.
Behind the scenes, the rivalry narrative is dead on arrival. Anonymous insiders reveal to People that Backstreet Boys are locking into 12-hour rehearsal days, five to six days a week, ahead of their Millennium Sphere residency opening July 18. With Sphere’s 20,000-seat capacity and state-of-the-art immersive technology setting the bar sky-high, the group is laser-focused on matching the intimate energy NKOTB delivered at Park MGM. In turn, NKOTB continues to fine-tune its laser choreography and set transitions, ensuring each show remains a headline-worthy spectacle.
Ultimately, this Vegas moment isn’t about competition; it’s a celebration of two era-defining acts coexisting on the Strip. Their shared charisma and mutual respect have reframed the residency landscape, demonstrating that collaboration can elevate both brands—and thrill fans in the process. And there you have it. Make of that what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ.com, People Magazine, Billboard
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
