September 21, 2001 – What follows is a clarification of statements Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson made during a recent interview on Much Music in Canada. Because only soundbites for the interview were aired, what viewers saw does not entirely represent Richardson's views on the tragic events of last week in New York and Washington, DC.

Kevin Richardson of Backstreet Boys:

I'd like to thank you all for the love and support you've shown Danny Lee* and our fellow Americans who suffered a devastating tragedy in the last week. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with everyone and we hope you are all safe and well.

Firstly, I would like to apologize if my comments offended anyone. It was a hard time for everyone and I let my emotions get the better of me at that moment. My thoughts were incomplete and I didn't intend for them to come across as insensitive. I know how far-reaching this event is and almost all of us know someone who was directly affected by these disasters. Nobody -- nobody -- will walk away from this experience unchanged.

When I said that I think our nation is a bit arrogant, what I meant is that as a world Super Power, I think we've become overconfident and taken our opportunities and freedom for granted. I feel like we've taken on the attitude that we, as a country, are untouchable. How did we get that way?

I wholeheartedly appreciate the freedom we have in the United States. I think this is a wake up call for us all to take notice that these freedoms are not a given. How many of us have watched the news coverage of terrorism going on in other countries and said, "Oh, how sad," and then just turned the channel? Have we mourned the world's losses the way they're mourning with us now?

It frustrates me that people think I hate our government based on my comments. I don't hate anything. I just have strong beliefs for a number of issues and policies and I believe it's important that we always ask questions about the policies that affect us. My dad was a serviceman in the U.S. Army -- and I myself was enlisted in the Air Force before joining the Backstreet Boys -- nd so it hurts me that people would think I would betray the American values that were taught to me by my father.

I hope we can all continue to support one another and be strong for each other. I hope that all our families, friends and neighbors will remain safe and free. And I pray that God walks with our leaders and our allies so they make the right decisions for our safety, our future -- for our world.

In Peace,
Kev

* Danny Lee -- who served as a set carpenter on the Backstreet Boys' current trek -- was on board American Airlines flight 11. Lee was returning to Los Angeles after the group's Boston performances for the birth of his child.