Backstreet Boys rework ‘I Want It That Way’ for Super Bowl ad
The Backstreet Boys discuss their reimagined “I Want It That Way” for their new T-Mobile Super Bowl commercial and how they came to create the updated jingle.
NEW YORK – The Backstreet Boys are back on the big stage. USA TODAY has an exclusive look at the group’s new Super Bowl ad in collaboration with T-Mobile. Before filming the commercial, five music artists invite USA TODAY to the legendary Hit Factory studio in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood.
Nick Carter, 46, talks about his studio, which is decorated with plaques of the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna and Adele. “But I can’t remember what it was.”
A quick Google search reveals that the Backstreet Boys recorded the music for a re-release of their debut LP in the US in 1997. Perhaps it will jog their memory?
“That was a long time ago,” Carter replies.
Kevin Richardson shrugs and says, “Maybe it’s true.”
we are do What is known is that five artists are currently re-recording their 1999 hit “I Want It That Way” for a commercial. The Backstreet Boys speak exclusively with USA TODAY in the studio about their past, present and immediate future as they prepare for an ad shoot in familiar territory.
The Backstreet Boys almost performed the Super Bowl halftime show.
This will be the Backstreet Boys’ second Super Bowl campaign. The group teamed up with hip-hop artist Chance the Rapper and snack brand Doritos in 2019. But the connection to the big game dates back to 2001, when the group sang the national anthem before Super Bowl XXXV, when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.
Howie Droe admitted that this game was the reason he became a Ravens fan. Two other bandmates recalled that they also had the option of playing during the halftime show rather than before the game.
“We thought it was an honor,” Carter said.
“And back then, halftime shows weren’t what they are now,” Richardson added. “I thought a lot of people changed the channel because there was something else going on at halftime.”
The 2001 halftime show was produced by MTV. The final lineup included Aerosmith, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly.
As for 2026, Bad Bunny will headline the halftime show. And “One Call Away” artist Charlie Puth will sing the national anthem.
“Charlie’s going to kill it,” says AJ McLean, 48. “He has perfect pitch, so you don’t have to worry about that. He expressed that he was obviously nervous…because again, all eyes are on you.”
“We used to sing the national anthem in many places,” Dorov, 52, recalls. “We used to watch a lot of baseball games and college games. We went to the World Series, and in the early days we watched the Orlando Magic.”
The band formed in Orlando, becoming friends with NBA star Shaquille O’Neal in the process. The Basketball Hall of Famer recently told USA TODAY that one of his biggest business regrets was not signing the band when he met them. After first meeting at Shaq’s home, Carter and Dolloff revealed that they had heard Shaq wanted to sign him. MacLean took away something completely different.
“One of the things that’s always stuck with me is that when I was talking to (Shaq), he was wearing slides and he was the first guy I’d ever seen with his toenails painted,” McLean said. “They were red. I don’t know if that’s what inspired me to start painting my nails.”
T-Mobile brings Backstreet Boys back to Times Square
The Backstreet Boys are synonymous with MTV’s Total Request Live from the heart of Times Square. Five music artists are returning to the area for this Super Bowl ad. This ad was filmed inside T-Mobile’s flagship store. Carter points out how the area has changed since the late 1990s.
“You can’t even drive through it now,” Carter said. “But I think our memories will always be so fond because we all came together.”
As for the commercial, the Backstreet Boys appear out of nowhere in the middle of the store and sing about why T-Mobile is “better here” to the tune of “I Want It That Way.” The “Tell Me Why” ad also features influencer Dorsky and platinum-selling musician Machine Gun Kelly.
Some of the lyrics for this spot were written by Brian Littrell, whom Carter calls a “walking jingle.” Littrell thought the first demo needed an additional chorus.
“We just have the added bonus of doing the best we can as a band to elevate this song even more,” says the 50-year-old singer. “You’re talking about a symbolic network that connects people through cell phones and their connections, and you’ve got a great song. The hard part is the phrasing, trying to fit all the words in to sing.”
The other thing is that the Backstreet Boys have been playing this song a certain way for over 25 years. And they aren’t stopping anytime soon, with additional dates set for a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere this month and 10 headlining shows scheduled for The Deck in Dusseldorf, Germany, later this year. This was the first time this band broke overseas.
At this point in their careers, music artists have a good idea of what works and what doesn’t. Richardson said he will remain in “show mode” for the time being and has no plans for new music as a result.
“Every time we’re together, we talk about the future and what else we want to do,” MacLean said, adding that talk also includes new music. “So you never know what the future holds. We’re always growing.”
