After extensive touring throughout Europe and Canada, the Backstreet Boys have finally returned home to the
 United States, where their single "Quit Playin ' Games (With My Heart)," from their forthcoming U.S. debut CD,
 has just been released. It's no secret the beauteous band's popularity around the globe is stronger than ever,
 and group members, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, A.J. McLean and Kevin Richardson are finding out
 that with stardom come fan reactions that are both warm and wild.
 
   In some cases, the Backstreet Boys' fans travel across the world just to see the group members, like the time two
 girls, one from Germany and one from Switzerland, visited Brian at home in Orlando, Florida. "I drove into my
 apartment complex, and they know my car in a magazine," the 22-year-old has said. "These two girls were sitting in
 front of my apartment with their pens and paper, and they jumped when they saw me." 
 
   At least those global gals had enough respect for Brian not to try and sneak inside his house. At times, others have
 tried this with the Boys' tour bus. "We've had stowaways-girls sneaking on our bus while we're loading
 luggage. We'll find them in the [bus'] bathroom," Kevin, 24, has said.
 
   That's not all. In an effort to meet the band, devoted fans have camped outside airports, hotels and venues where
 the Backstreet Boys were expected to be. Some even go so far as to climb barbed-wired fences to get to them!
 "one girl got caught up in a fence and hung there by her pants," Nick has explained. "She ripped her bottoms off,
 climbed in a window in the venue and knocked on our dressing room door." 
 
   Nick, 17, has said that usually two things happen when fans eventually hunt them down: "Either they don't know
 what to do and they just stand there, or they attack us, pretty much." Though the attacks are out of love and
 adoration, fans don't realize how out of control they can get, which is of great concert for A.J. "It's scary being
 pulled at and tugged at and grabbed in places you don't want to be grabbed in," he tells BOP. 
 
   In their eagerness to have a piece of the band, fans have also been known to take personal items belonging to the
 group. The Boys have had their hats stolen, sunglasses taken and A.J. even had an earring ripped out of his ear. "I
 leaned over to give [a fan] a kiss and she put her finger through my hoop and yanked it out," he says incredulously.
 The band's devotees must realize that incidents like that don't serve the Boys well- it makes them think twice about
 approaching a group of fans if they fear for their safety. 
 
   Unfortunately, because of the earring incident, A.J. says, "I don't get that close anymore." And being close to their
 fans is of utmost importance to the band. In fact, Howie says he considers "meeting people, getting a chance to
 perform for them and seeing them enjoy your music" one of the better parts of his job. "one of the most gratifying
 things is seeing people sing your songs out in the audience along with you," the 23-year-old enthuses. 
 
   Kevin couldn't agree more. He admits that during performances, when he gazes out into the audience, he
 realizes that without them, there would be no show. Their enthusiasm takes his breath away every time. "I just kind
 of step back and take in everything around me," Kev tells BOP. "I see all the people smiling and laughing and crying
 and having a good time. [What I do] is for them, and it's something positive." 
 
   What's also positive is seeing not only girls at the shows, but guys as well. Although in the past, the Backstreet Boys
 have had items thrown at them in the streets by teenage guys who react out of jealousy, to have one of their own
 male peers acknowledge them in a positive way makes the band feel really good. A.J. recalls how at one of their
 shows, a male concert-goer singled out the 19-year-old singer from a poster of the Backstreet Boys and said: "I
 like him, he can groove and he is funky; he's a funky white boy." A.J. tells BOP. "When a guy shows that much
 respect, that goes to my heart. That to me is something special when the guys can respect you as much as the
 girls do. It feels like an accomplishment."