ღ You’ve given me a million memories that I’ll take to my grave ♡ Just the biggest thank you, and the biggest respect for each and every one of them for making what happened, happen

WEST OF THEIR LIFE: 

Westlife on their break-up and what lies ahead

SHILPA GANATRA NOVEMBER 23, 2012

Westlife have hung up their mics after 14 years as one of the biggest boybands in the world. Here Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Mark Feehily and Kian Egan discuss their break-up, legacy, and future careers.

SO WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO CALL IT A DAY?

NB: Fourteen years is a long, long time. You’ve got to remember that we started when we were kids, did everything we were told, and then what happens when you grow up is you develop your own opinions.

YOU’VE HAD SO MANY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

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SF: Such amazing experiences that we’ll always remember. Getting our first award, performing for the Pope and Barack Obama, duetting with Mariah Carey… money can’t buy stuff like that.

YOU MUST FEEL LIKE YOU’RE LEAVING BEHIND A LEGACY.

MF: We’re not deluded – we know we haven’t changed the face of music or anything like that. But in our world, with our fans, we’ve left something behind.

WHAT’S LOUIS WALSH LIKE?

KE: Louis is actually more of a music man than anything else. He knows a hit song when he hears it. And he has a natural knack for looking at a person and thinking, ‘That person’s got something’.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WESTLIFE?

KE: Just normal living stuff, I suppose — I’m not chasing a professional direction…we all deserve a little break.

MF: A solo record is at the top of my list, without the shadow of a doubt.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER BECOMING TALENT SHOW JUDGES?

MF: To be honest, I’d consider anything that I can make a difference in. I don’t want to do something just for the sake of it, or just for money or fame.

KE: I enjoyed doing The Voice Ireland. The Voice UK was brilliant — up until the live shows, then it kind of fell apart. The coaches were all over the place. They were jumping on their chairs, dancing around… it’s not about them, it’s about the singers.

HOW ABOUT ACTING?

NB: That’s definitely something I’d consider. I did an acting course in New York about five years ago and I made a decision that one day I’d go to the States and try to get an agent.

WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS TO BECOME POP STARS?

SF: Not just yet. My daughter Nicole is a good singer, she likes doing Irish dancing, but I don’t know if she’ll be doing pop star stuff.

KE: I would encourage my son to pursue a career in whatever it is that he wants to do.

WILL YOU REMAIN GOOD FRIENDS?

NB: I share a serious bond with the lads, and we’ll never lose that bond. I like to think we’ll be able to keep in touch.

WOULD YOU RULE OUT A REUNION?

SF: I don’t think anyone should ever close the door to Westlife, but a reunion is not worth thinking about at the moment.

KE: I feel like — because we ended on a high note — it could damage it by coming back.

HAVE YOU A FINAL MESSAGE FOR YOUR FANS?

NB: You’ve given me a million memories that I’ll take to my grave.

KE: Just the biggest thank you, and the biggest respect for each and every one of them for making what happened, happen.

Westlife: The Farewell Tour is out on DVD now

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This arrived in my mail box today ❤ I don´t know when I finally will watch it, it´s going to take a while. Maybe I can watch the extra material - haven´t even watched that on YouTube as I wanted to watch it when I got my very own copy... But watching the concert itself, that´s a whole other story...

And look, it´s signed! If it´s real signatures or if they´re printed on, that I don´t know. I choose to believe they are real ❤

All right, now I will go shopping for food and other necessary things. I´m staying in Vaasa for the weekend, Irish Evening w/ Johnny Logan tomorrow! I´m so excited!

Take care lovelies!

Slán!