OK Magazine (May 2005)

Remember the lovely Ben Adams from cheesy boyband A1? 'Course you do - but now look at him! Gone are the dodgy curtains and all that puppy fat, now it's firm pecs and a chiseled jaw. And the music's great, too. He's gone all cool and fabulous! We caught up with him for a good old chat!

Ben, your album is amazing. So different to A1.

Yes, but it has taken three years to craft what I'm doing, getting to know myself as an artist and what kind of music is for me.

You don't regret A1 though, surely?

No - I was 16 and had no.1 singles, which is a big achievement. It was a great experience and without it I probably wouldn't be able to do what I'm doing now.

You're a cutie. Will people be able to take you seriously?

So many people in the industry are picked for their looks, which is why I come back with something musically interesting. I didn't want to have a Gareth Gates situation, where I was selling records based solely on my looks.

How did you find working with the fab Har Mar Superstar?

He's such a funny guy. What I like about him is he is what he is. He looks the way he does, and he's not a afraid of that. He's experimental, he's not afraid to push the boundaries.

You used to hang out with pop greats such as Lolly and Steps. Do you keep in touch with any of them?

No, I don't keep in touch with anyone from back then. I choose my friends very carefully. I think that some people are up their own a*ses - the music industry is full of absolute tossers. The most genuine people are the most talent.

Are you still in touch with the other A1 boys?

They're doing well. Christian is massively successful in Norway, Mark's a songwriter with Metrophonic and Paul has been in America chilling out. We didn't speak for a long time after he quit the band, but he called me recently to wish me luck.

People have compared you to Justin. Is that a good thing?

I'd love his record sales, but I don't want to be the UK's answer to Justin Timberlake. The only similarity we have is that we've both been influenced by Michael Jackson.

You've lost loads of weight. Why and how?

I was winning Sexiest Guy awards, but then I'd look in the mirror and think, 'What the f*ck is sexy about a beer belly?'. I felt crap about myself, so over three years I lost three stone by wheat and dairy from my diet. I also went to the gym and started swimming, and now I feel really good.

Ben's single 'Sorry' is released on 30 May. His debut solo album will follow shortly.

Back to top