After being hospitalized last Friday, Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell’s 6-year-old son has been diagnosed with A-Typical Kawasaki Disease, an inflammation of the arteries that typically afflicts children.

In a post on his official Web site, the musician confirms the diagnosis, and says that his son, Baylee, was released from Atlanta’s Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital on Saturday.

Littrell, 33, and his wife Leighanne, 39, say that support from fans has been pouring in during the difficult family time.

“We want to thank every one who prayed for us as well as all of the emails and phone calls,” Littrell writes on his Web site. “Your love and support means so much to our family. … We are humbled by the love and compassion that people have for our son all over the world, thank you!”

According to the American Heart Association, Kawasaki Disease can inflame and weaken coronary arteries, creating the risk of blood clots that can cause heart attacks. It mostly afflicts children under the age of 5, and primarily boys. About 4,000 cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, and only 1 percent are fatal.

“Baylee was finally diagnosed with A-Typical Kawasaki Disease,” says Littrell’s post. “We would like to stress A-Typical because Baylee did not have textbook symptoms of any of the viruses they thought he had.”

With his coronary arteries affected by the disase, “He received an IVIG, which is a treatment to bring down the inflammation in his coronary arteries,” says the post. “Baylee will be closely monitored for the next 6-8 weeks by a Pediatric Cardiologist to see if the treatment was effective,” Littrell writes.

Although Kawasaki Disease is not believed to be hereditary, Brian, himself, has battled coronary disease, undergoing open-heart surgery 10 years ago to correct a congenital problem. He has formed a charity, the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids, to “educate children and their families regarding the benefits of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.”

Source

Backstreet Boys singer A.J. McLean has blasted advances in technology – because cameraphones mean no celebrity can ever really ‘let go’.

The singer insists stars are easy prey for members of the public who film their exploits – and insists cameraphones make everyone a moving target for ridicule.

He says, “You think you are having a good time with somebody and the next thing you know you’re on YouTube.
“Technology has spoiled it for everybody.”

I love this picture, btw, doesn’t he look like he’s doing some weird Karate Kid impression or something?

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WENN

Backstreet Boys star A.J. Mclean is set to take a break from the aging boyband for a series of solo shows.

The edgy pop star has just released tickets for two low-key concerts in California on Sunday and Monday. A statement from MCLean’s manager, Eric Podwall, reads, “After 13 years with the Backstreet Boys, and 75 million records sold worldwide, A.J.’s excited to take a step out on his own and present his music, in his style.”

Mclean is also planning shows in Europe to preview a solo album he hopes to release later this year. But Backstreet Boys fans need not fret as Mclean has no plans to follow ex-bandmate Kevin Richardson and quit the group for good – he’s planning to record another album with the group next year.

WENN

The Backstreet Boys arriving at Sydney Airport in Australia, yesterday.

WENN

Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough got married this past weekend to his girlfriend of 7 years, Leigh Boniello in his hometown of Orlando, FL.

“The whole thing was like it belonged in a bridal magazine,” one guest told People magazine of the Catholic ceremony, held at St. James Cathedral. “It was absolutely perfect.”The couple met in 2000, when Boniello, a film-exec-turned-real-estate-broker, was working as the Backstreet Boys’ Webmaster. She went from working on the Internet to working over Dorugh’s heart.

Howie asked her to marry him last New Year’s.  He stated “She wasn’t expecting it, and I was quite nervous, more nervous about proposing to her in front of 40 family and friends than about performing in front of 40,000 people onstage.”

According to OK! Magazine, a source “close” to Nick Carter is claiming that the Backstreet Boy and Ms. Britney Spears are dating!

“Nick’s claming that he and Brit have been ‘dating’ for about three weeks,” a source close to the 27-year-old boy-bander tells OK!. “He says they’ve been chatting, texting, instant messaging and talking all the time; they’re both heavy into each other.” The source also reveals that Nick has even told some of his bandmates, “I really like her.”

By the way, just incase anyone finds this as suspicious as I do, Backstreet’s new album is set for release very, very soon. Publicity stunt?

And my stomach turn. What the crap are they still making music for? Were you a big BB fan?
It’s not the video – but it’s song someone has put to pictures of Backstreet Boys. Yes!

UPDATE: I didn’t even notice that Kevin wasn’t in the band anymore… I found this on People:

Their new single “Inconsolable” hits radio this month, but it doesn’t describe how the Backstreet Boys felt when Kevin Richardson told them during a conference call last year that he was sitting out their sixth album, due Oct. 30.

Despite feeling “kind of a shock,” at first, says Nick Carter, “everyone understood. There were no hard feelings and that’s just the way it needs to be. We’ve been through a lot in 14 years together, and there’s no need to get angry or overly emotional.”

In fact, the group – Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and AJ McClean – still talk to Richardson, whose wife Kristin gave birth to son Mason in July.

“I just saw Kevin a couple days ago,” says Dorough. “He’s got a glow that is unbelievable, and I’m happy for him. And he’s happy for us as well – he’s not bitter. He’s totally like, ‘I want you guys to do your thing and not have weirdness.’ ”