Netflix’s Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam dives deep into the life and crimes of Lou Pearlman, the manager behind NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys, and other ’90s boy bands. The series sheds light on how Pearlman exploited these young artists, but it also stirs up some fascinating and uncomfortable revelations about the Backstreet Boys themselves.
One notable tidbit highlighted in the series is that Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson are cousins. This family connection was well-known among fans, but Dirty Pop brings it into the spotlight once again.
More intriguingly, the show also touches on a political controversy involving Littrell and Richardson. In 2021, Littrell drew attention for his support of Donald Trump and his involvement with Parler, a platform associated with some controversial political views. His support for Trump was clear from past statements and an expressed desire to perform at his inauguration.
Richardson, on the other hand, posted a link to an article about QAnon on social media, which led to speculation about his cousin’s possible connections to similar conspiracy theories. While Littrell has not explicitly admitted any involvement with QAnon, and Richardson hasn’t addressed the matter publicly, the association with controversial figures and platforms has led to fan speculation and concern.
Despite these controversies, the Backstreet Boys have continued to show a united front. There have been rumors of tension between the two cousins, especially given their differing political views, but the band has publicly maintained that their relationships remain strong. The 2019 documentary Backstreet Boys: Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of explores the band’s dynamics and conflicts, though it doesn’t delve deeply into their political stances.
Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam primarily focuses on Pearlman’s schemes and the exploitation of the boy bands, leaving these personal and political controversies as side notes. For now, it seems the full story behind Littrell’s and Richardson’s political beliefs and their impact on their relationship remains a mystery, overshadowed by the more immediate scandal of Pearlman’s fraudulent activities.
