And the Backstreet Boys will grab the spotlight, before launching a 100-hour tour of six continents.

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The Backstreet Boys were booed (as were perceived anti-war liberals Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, and Senator Hillary Clinton).

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It also helped that there were other male stars around, like the Backstreet Boys, helping to dim the harsh limelight.

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She opened for New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys in 2011 and appeared in Sparkle alongside Whitney Houston in 2012.

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After first finding fame in the late '80s and mid '90s, New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys, respectively, experienced a comeback of sorts when they toured together.

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The award for best group went to the Backstreet Boys, who said when accepting their award: "We beg you not to have a recount, " referring to the U.S. presidential elections.

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Aqua, like America's Backstreet Boys and Denmark's Michael Learns to Rock, first hit it big in Asia where there is less competition and where a little touring goes a long way.

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After cofounding his talent management agency in 1997 out of his Malibu bedroom, the company, ominously named The Firm, now represents stars like the Backstreet Boys, Korn, Limp Bizkit, the Dixie Chicks and Pamela Anderson.

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But BMG is struggling and almost lost its right to distribute music this year from Jive, the label of the pop sensations Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and 'NSync that accounts for a quarter of the company's market share.

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"Historically it's always been American boybands who have led the way, going back to the end of the 80s and the early 90s with the likes of New Edition, New Kids On The Block, BackStreet Boys and N-Sync, " said Mr Williams.

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