How Cool Are Westlife?
Smash Hits Magazine, August 23rd 2000
NICKY
How cool are you?
I like to think i'm quite cool. I don't get into bad moods very often.I try to chill and live life as it is.
Where's the hottest place you've been?
Dubai was crazy hot, but we've been to a lot of very hot places. In America and Asia, the humidity made it really clammy. We had to get in the shower every ten minutes!
Do you tan easily?
I usually go red first! I haven't been to a hot country for a while, so I got quite badly burnt recently.
What's the hottest situation you've been in lately?
(Thinking) At a club in Dublin. The bouncer pointed to the cloakroom and I thought he was asking me whether I wanted to take my jacket off. It was a little jacket so I said, "No, I'm fine." Then he said I had to, which I thought was ridiculous, so I went to see the head doorman. Apparently it's club policy, so I wasn't allowed in if I didn't take it off. (Shrugging his shoulders) So I left.
Do you lose your temper easily?
Not usually, but certain things make me snap. I think everybody has that in them. It depends on the day you've had or how tired you are. Our tour manager Anto really knows how to wind me up, then again he knows how to push all our buttons.
MARK
How cool are you?
I'm cool in a way that I'm relaxed and laidback. I never let anything get me too excited.
What's the hottest situation you've been in lately?
Last night, we went to the Met Bar and I happened to be the last one in there. I was having a chat with a mate when this big guy comes over to me and goes, "I'm sorry, but you're going to have to clear this area." The next thing I know Christina Aguilera is sitting beside me and this guy is telling me that I have to get out. She knew exactly what was happening and it annoyed me a lot. I would never do that, if it was Christina Aguilera or Christina Bloggs, I would never kick someone out of their seat and use my position to such an advantage. When I like someone's music, and I like Christina's, I hate to find out that the person is like that. I just got up and left.
Who's the most likely to lose their temper?
Kian, definitely. He loses his temper about everything. One minute he's calm and the next minute he's got the hammers out.
Do you pretend not to fancy a girl when actually you do?
I don't pretend to fancy her and I don't pretend not to fancy her. I'm crap at chatting people up but I'm learning. (smiles) Practice makes perfect. I think everybody has a chatty charm inside them, it's just finding the courage to let it out.
BRYAN
How cool are you?
How cool? I'm not cool at all, I'm just normal.
How do you like to keep cool? With the Smash Hits fan! (Fans himself!) It does'nt really work that well. No, I just keep cool by chilling out, when we get the chance.
Do you tan easily?
Yeah. I don't like tanning though - it bores me. I don't really like the heat.
Do you lose your temper easily?
No, I'm very cool-headed. (Suddenly screams across the room) Shut up Kian, will ya! (Laughs) I never lose my temper and I keep calm in most situations. Who's the most likely to lose their cool? Egan. Definitely hot-headed Egan over there.
Do you dress to impress?
No, I dress to relax. I always wear what I want to wear - whatever I feel comfortable in.
Do you pretend not to fancy a girl when you actually do
? Yeah, I'm a bit of a shy guy. I'd probably let her know that I fancied her but in a roundabout way, like through eye contact, y'know? I could never just go up and just tell her.
What's likely yo get you hot and bothered?
Arrogant people. People like Northern Line and J 5ive. I just don't like them, I think they're arrogant and big-headed.
KIAN
How cool are you
? I'm as cool as you want me to be. I don't try to be cool, I just try to be me. Being cool is all about being yourself and staying grounded (as in down-to-earth and not locked in your room for a week) People who go round saying, "Hey man, I'm cool, look at me" are definitely not cool.
What's likely to get you hot and bothered?
People not listening to me and not accepting my point of view or people who are just being arrogant. If I sat here and abused you, you'd get annoyed too. It's Bryan who's most likely to wind me up, he knows how to annoy me, then again he knows how to wind everybody up. He is totally harmless, but sometimes he tends to take things slightly to far.
Do you lose your temper easily?
Sometimes, but I haven't lost it in quite a while. About a month actually, which is really good for me.
What's the hottest situation you've been in recently?
Well there was one where I was chatting uo a girl in America - but I think i'll keep that one to myself! (Grinning!) Orlando was extremely hot and we did two shows in one afternoon. It was great though because my room was on the bottom floor just by the pool so I could walk off my balcony straight into the water.
Do you dress to impress?
Not necessarily. I dress because I want to look good. I dress for myself, not anybody else.
Do you act cool around the ladies?
(Laughing) Hmm, that's a good one. I wouldn't act any differently, although if I was getting the right signals from a girl i'd definitely let them know. I wouldn't be able to keep it quiet for long.
SHANE
How cool are you?
(Laughing) I dunno, I don't try to be cool, if i'm cool then i'm cool. Everyone has good days, everyone has bad days and everyone's cool at some stage. I'd say i'm about 50-50.
What's the hottest place you've been to
? Dubai, the heat was unbeleivable. Luckily we were performing indoors with air-conditioing.
Do you get a tan easily?
I need to stay out in the sun for a good hour then I get a bit of colour. Once I get the slightest bit of colour then I'll go brown. What gets you hot and bothered? If anyone says anything about my family I totally freak out. I'm proud of my family and where I'm from. But I've never actually thumped anybody - I'd rather talk myself out of that.
Do you dress to impress?
Yeah, I always try to look my best. Fans don't want to see us looking terrible, so we kind of owe it to them to make an effort.
Do you act cool around the ladies?
A lot of the time I'll just stare at a girl. I don't care if they look at me or catch me doing it, I'll just stare at their legs or whatever. The boys are always like, "What are you doing? She knows you're doing it," and I'm like, "So?" I'd just like to say sorry to all the girls I've stared at, especially if it made them feel uncomfortable. Sorry!
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