Howard Dwaine "Howie D" Dorough, the youngest of five siblings, was born in Orlando, Florida, to a mother of Puerto Rican descent and a father with Irish and English ancestry. His older siblings, Pollyanna and Caroline Dorough-Cochran, who sadly passed away at the age of 38 in 1998 due to Lupus, and his other siblings, all played a significant role in shaping his life.
As the fifth child, Howie Dorough's early life was marked by the strong presence of his mother and father, who instilled in him the importance of family and the value of helping others. His mother's Puerto Rican heritage and his father's Irish and English roots would later influence his music and philanthropic endeavors.
Despite his struggles to find work as an actor, Howie Dorough's life took a dramatic turn when he met two younger men, Alexander James "A.J." McLean and Nickolas Gene "Nick" Carter, on the audition circuit in 1992. The three young men shared a passion for music and decided to join forces to form a singing group.
However, they soon realized that they needed one more member to complete their quintet. After extensive auditions, they found Kevin Scott Richardson, who was working in Orlando at the time, and suggested adding his cousin Brian Thomas Littrell to the group. Brian's exceptional singing talent was a game-changer for the group, and in 1993, the Backstreet Boys were officially born.
As a member of the Backstreet Boys, Howie Dorough has become a household name, known for his humanitarian efforts, particularly with the Dorough Lupus Foundation, which he established in honor of his late sister. He has also produced music for upcoming artists, including George Nozuka, cementing his reputation as a talented musician and dedicated philanthropist.
