For over three decades, Joey McIntyre has been a staple in the pop music landscape. As the youngest member of New Kids on the Block, he skyrocketed to fame duri

For over three decades, Joey McIntyre has been a staple in the pop music landscape. As the youngest member of New Kids on the Block, he skyrocketed to fame during the late '80s and early '90s. Now, he's released possibly his most personal album to date: Freedom .

, initially struggled to make an impact. Despite the band’s dedication and the catchy nature of their songs, the album didn’t fare well commercially, failing to chart significantly or generate major radio hits. It wasn’t a total failure, but the lack of immediate success led to doubts about the viability of the boy band’s potential. The members, still relatively young, faced a steep uphill battle in a competitive industry, and the band was at a crossroads as they considered their next move. Joey and the other members, however, remained determined and believed in their potential to succeed. The turning point for New Kids on the Block came with the release of their second album, Hangin' Tough . This album marked a significant shift in both the group’s sound and image.McIntyre looks back with a sense of awe at the global phenomenon that Hangin’ Tough became, reflecting on the magic that made the album such a monumental success. For him, the key to the album’s success wasn’t just about being in the right place at the right time—it was about authenticity, timing, and the unique blend of talents within New Kids on the Block. “When I look back at Hangin’ Tough, the foundation was a group that really took the time to make this an authentic experience,” McIntyre says. The band’s journey to superstardom wasn’t instantaneous, especially after the failure of their first album, but their decision to work more closely with Maurice Starr, a producer known for his hit-making abilities, would prove pivotal. However, McIntyre insists it wasn’t just Starr’s production skills that made the difference—it was about the group’s willingness to pour their own voices and passions into the music. “Jordan, Danny, and Donnie really pushed Maurice to make this album more about who we really were. The result was an album that captured their energy, their personalities, and their passion in a way that felt deeply personal and undeniably fresh. For McIntyre, the creative process behind Hangin’ Tough played a huge role in the album’s lasting impact. The group wasn’t just chasing after a quick hit—they were dedicated to perfecting their sound. At the time, the guys were just 17 and 18 years old, but they were beginning to find their own voices as artists. We had the passion, we practiced every day, and we were excited to see how the songs would come to life on stage,” McIntyre says. But it wasn’t all about rushing to meet deadlines. Instead, they were given the time to refine the music and make it their own. “I remember taking the bus in to record ‘Please Don’t Go Girl’ over two Saturdays, and it just felt like magic. It was this dedication to the craft—and the space to explore creatively—that made the music stand out. Joey draws a comparison between the work he did with Hangin' Tough and his more recent collaborations, pointing out that just like Jack Antonoff with Taylor Swift or Max Martin with the Backstreet Boys, it’s all about finding the right chemistry between collaborators. “It’s about that click, that vibe, and we had it,” McIntyre said with pride, recalling how the band's dynamic—especially under Starr’s direction—helped shape the album. “The group, under Maurice’s direction, created a record that wasn’t rushed but carefully crafted." The music wasn’t just something the guys created in the studio—it was an extension of who they were as people.One of the standout features of Hangin' Tough was its structural simplicity with each song contributing to a cohesive whole. It was a perfectly structured album, with 10 songs that packed a punch,” McIntyre says proudly. He compares this old-school approach to the structure of his new solo album, Freedom, noting the similarities in their streamlined tracklists. “Five songs on each side, just packed a punch,” he says, recognizing that both albums, despite the decades between them, share an energy that transcends time. “There are a lot of similarities between the two,” McIntyre adds confidently, “but it’s no coincidence that both albums had such an impact. It’s clear that McIntyre’s journey with Hangin’ Tough helped set the stage for his later success—both as a solo artist and as a member of New Kids on the Block. The album’s success wasn’t just about good timing, but about a group of young men who were willing to invest everything they had into their music. That same commitment to authenticity is what drives McIntyre today, from his solo career to his ongoing work with New Kids on the Block. Whether in the early days of Hangin’ Tough or in the making of Freedom, McIntyre’s dedication to creating something real, something true, continues to resonate with his fans across the globe.For Joey McIntyre and the rest of New Kids on the Block, family isn’t just an important part of their lives—it’s the very foundation of their success. Reflecting on the early days, McIntyre describes the band’s meteoric rise as "lightning in a bottle," something that can’t be replicated or manufactured. But for him, the magic wasn’t just about the music or the business—it was about the people behind the scenes and the unshakable support of their families. "The reality is, you need more than just Maurice Starr, you need Donnie Wahlberg, and you need our parents,” McIntyre says. “We were all from working-class families. We just got up every day, went out, and worked hard with faith and a sense of humor.” Growing up in that environment, the group developed a strong sense of resilience, which would later define their careers. “We came from that stock,” he adds, “a stock built on hard work and belief." Family, however, isn’t just something McIntyre talks about—it’s something you can see in their earliest footage. “I just watched an old tape our manager made in 1988 when we all went to Japan,” he recalls. “He had this camcorder, and there’s this footage of us just messing around. We’re saying hi to our families, talking about our loved ones.” The raw, unfiltered affection they shared in those moments was real with Danny and all the guys saying I love you Mom. “And that wasn’t put on," he said. "It was genuine.” For McIntyre and his bandmates, those messages were more than just words; they were an expression of who they were, of the close-knit families that supported them every step of the way.That was part of our DNA,” McIntyre says. “It was the fuel that took us forward.” But the influence of family didn’t stop there. It also became the glue that held the band together, even as they navigated the ups and downs of fame. "We've always chosen family and friendship over business," he says. "And that’s not easy to do. But we’ve done it, a day at a time, a tour at a time, a record at a time. Looking back, McIntyre knows that this bond—this sense of loyalty and camaraderie—has been essential to the group’s longevity. “It hasn’t always been perfect, but that’s why we’ve been able to continue to do this. To go beyond our wildest dreams. To continue to surprise each other, and surprise our fans.” At the heart of it all, it’s clear: family isn’t just a concept for New Kids on the Block. It’s their secret weapon, their guiding force, and the reason they’re still going strong after all these years. Growing up in Jamaica Plain, McIntyre’s childhood was steeped in love, humor, and hard work—values that have defined both his career and personal life. And that sense of family continues to inspire McIntyre in his role as a father. His son, Griffin, is already following in his footsteps, and McIntyre couldn’t be prouder. "Griffin is an incredible artist. He really shows up for his art and his passion,” he beams. Watching Griffin perform has been an emotional catalyst for McIntyre’s own music. “It’s such a connection to my album, watching him show up the way he does,” he says, visibly moved.Before he was crooning pop anthems with New Kids on the Block, McIntyre was a theater kid—one of those kids who would jump off the school bus and go straight into a rehearsal for the local play. Yeah, to get right to the heart of it, I grew up just four blocks away from this amazing theater and I didn’t realize how lucky I was until I moved to New York years later,” McIntyre reflects. "You know, those little black box theaters, where any corner could become a stage? That was my reality. But we had this beautiful 200-seat theater in our backyard in Jamaica Plain, a neighborhood just outside Boston, and I didn’t know how special that was at the time. The theater was more than a place to perform; it was his mother Katherine's, escape—a place where she could shed the weight of raising nine kids and lose herself in song and dance. She had nine kids, and she loved singing, performing, and being on stage. That theater was her personal haven. We’d watch her up there, glowing, having a blast. That energy was contagious. And it wasn’t just her; it became part of our DNA," he says with a smile. "A few of us—three or four—caught the bug and started performing in community theater too. McIntyre also speaks fondly of his time at the Neighborhood Children’s Theater of Boston, led by the late Michelle McCourt, whom he calls “an angel.” There, he discovered what it meant to be part of something bigger than himself. “I was made to be a theater kid. I saw it in my family—the joy, the excitement. People from all walks of life came together purely because they loved what they were doing. They gave it their all. You’d have these people working nine-to-five jobs, then they’d walk off the bus and head straight to the theater to live out their dreams. Afterward, they’d grab a beer, unwind, and laugh. It was brilliant." For McIntyre, community theater was a place where his artistry was challenged, nurtured, and celebrated. At the end of the day, it was just fun. It was challenging, and I loved it," he says. “Then, at 12, I got pulled away from my budding theater career by four 'dock rats'—as I like to call them. And that’s how the New Kids journey began. It’s clear that McIntyre’s roots in the theater—and the sense of family that comes with it—are still deeply woven into his music and life today. The lessons he learned in those early years—about love, identity, and the power of community—echo throughout his career, shaping both the man and the artist he’s become. From the small, local stages to the international arenas with New Kids on the Block, McIntyre’s journey has always been about more than just performing; it’s about connection, authenticity, and the shared human experience. And, just like the performers who walked into that small theater to follow their dreams, McIntyre continues to show up, giving it his all.In 2025, he’ll be back on screen, with a sequel to his Christmas movie, "Jingle Bell Love," slated for release on Roku. And, of course, the New Kids are as active as ever, with an upcoming Las Vegas residency at the end of June at Dolby Live at Park MGM. “It’s lightning in a bottle,” McIntyre says, reflecting on the magic that the band created and continues to create. The journey from New Kids on the Block to now has been one of reinvention and growth for Joey McIntyre. He’s not just the boy band heartthrob of yesterday; he’s a seasoned artist, a devoted father, and a man fully in touch with his own voice. And with each new project—whether it’s his solo work, his family life, or his next adventure—McIntyre proves that sometimes the best part of the ride is still yet to come.

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