In addition to his contributions to the Backstreet Boys’ massive commercial success, Richardson has built a career that spans multiple industries. He has appeared in Broadway and touring productions of “Chicago,” composed film music, taken on modeling campaigns for major brands like Versace and TAG Heuer, and made guest appearances in television and film. After briefly stepping away from the Backstreet Boys in the mid-2000s, Richardson rejoined permanently in 2012 and has remained central to their ongoing success, including their 2019 Grammy-nominated album “DNA.” His career of more than three decades has established him as both a pop music icon and a versatile entertainer.
Early Life
Kevin Scott Richardson was born on October 3, 1971, in Lexington, Kentucky. He grew up on a 10-acre farm with his parents and two older brothers. His father, Jerald, ran a youth camp, while his mother, Anne, managed the household. Kevin and future BSB bandmate Brian Littrell are first cousins. Kevin’s mother, Anne, and Brian’s father, Harold, are siblings. Much of Richardson’s childhood revolved around the outdoors. He learned to ride horses at the age of four, spent summers working at his father’s youth camp, and later became a camp counselor. His best friend from that period, Keith McGuffey, would go on to sing professionally and even work as Richardson’s bodyguard. In high school, Kevin balanced athletics and music — he was captain of the football team, played baseball, and also discovered a passion for piano, singing, and theater. By his teenage years, he was performing with a local band called Paradise at weddings and restaurants. Richardson’s early artistic ambitions were shaped by both music and acting, but his path shifted dramatically when his father died of cancer in 1991, when Kevin was just 19. The loss pushed him to pursue entertainment more seriously, eventually setting the stage for his breakthrough.
Early Career
After graduating from Estill County High School, Richardson weighed joining the Air Force with hopes of performing in the Air Force band or attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Instead, he chose a different route: moving to Orlando, Florida, where he worked at Walt Disney World. There, he performed as iconic Disney characters, including Aladdin and Prince Eric from “The Little Mermaid.” He also picked up work as a model, appearing in campaigns for brands like Versace. During this time, Richardson began carving out a place for himself in entertainment, building experience in music, acting, and live performance. His time in Orlando would prove pivotal, as it positioned him to cross paths with the people who would form the Backstreet Boys.
Backstreet Boys
Richardson’s career changed forever in March 1993 when he learned of a new vocal group being assembled by talent manager Lou Pearlman. He auditioned, was accepted, and quickly brought in his cousin Brian Littrell to round out the lineup. Alongside AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, and Nick Carter, the Backstreet Boys were officially born. As the oldest member, Richardson often provided the group with both musical and personal stability. The group signed a massive $60 million deal with Jive Records in 1999 and went on to dominate the global pop market. Hits such as “Larger Than Life,” “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely,” and “The One” kept the band at the top of the charts. Over time, the Backstreet Boys sold more than 100 million albums, earned multiple Grammy nominations, and became the only boy band in history with two diamond-certified records in the United States. In 2006, Richardson left the group to pursue other projects and start a family. Though absent from recordings, he made occasional guest appearances, including a 2008 concert in Los Angeles and a 2010 reunion on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” In 2012, he officially rejoined the Backstreet Boys. His return coincided with renewed success, including extensive world tours and the release of “DNA” in 2019, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Outside of group work, Richardson has explored solo ventures. He composed music for the animated film “The Spirit Bear,” headlined a Christmas concert in Los Angeles in 2011, and began work on a solo album titled “Cover Story,” from which he released a track in 2015. Although Richardson left the Backstreet Boys in 2006, he reunited with the band in 2008 for a stage performance in Los Angeles. The entire band then appeared together on an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2010. This continued well into 2011 with multiple stage performances and TV shows. Finally, after much speculation, it was confirmed that Richardson was back with the group on a permanent basis. This means that he only really left the group for about two years. With all that said, Kevin has explored a number of solo opportunities outside of his work with the Backstreet Boys. He composed the soundtrack for the animated film “The Spirit Bear,” and in 2011, he headlined a Christmas concert in Los Angeles. In 2012, he officially began working on his first solo album, which has since been delayed. He has also spoken about releasing an album of cover songs called “Cover Story.” He later released a single track from his “Cover Story” album in 2015.
Other Ventures
Richardson has consistently pursued opportunities outside of music. He appeared in cameo roles on television series like “Sesame Street” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” and even played a fictional version of himself in the 2013 comedy “This Is the End.” His most prominent acting work came on stage: he made his Broadway debut in 2003 as Billy Flynn in “Chicago,” later reprising the role on Broadway, on tour in Japan, and in Louisville, Kentucky. As a model, Richardson worked with high-end fashion houses and luxury brands, including Versace, Vogue, and TAG Heuer. These ventures helped establish him as more than just a boy band star, giving him a foothold in fashion and theater.
Personal Life
Kevin Richardson married actress and dancer Kristin Willits in 2000. The two met in the early 1990s while working together at Walt Disney World in Orlando, where Kristin was performing as Belle in “Beauty and the Beast.” The couple has two sons, Mason (born 2007) and Maxwell (born 2013). Richardson has often spoken about how stepping away from the Backstreet Boys in 2006 gave him the opportunity to focus on family life, something he considered a priority after years of nonstop touring. Richardson is also known for his charitable efforts and environmental activism. He has been involved with organizations that support music education and wildlife conservation, and he has participated in events raising awareness for cancer research in honor of his late father. A lifelong outdoorsman, he enjoys horseback riding and spending time in nature, passions that have carried over from his Kentucky upbringing.
Real Estate
In July 2009, Kevin and Kristin paid $1.6 million for a 2.33-acre property in Canyon Country, California.
