Throwback boy band New Kids on the Block is all grown up, but they have maintained at least one tradition. Actor and NKOTB member Joey McIntyre recently revealed that group still prays before every performance.
NKOTB disbanded in 1994, but reunites fairly regularly for concert tours and cruises. McIntyre said that prayer is still an important part of their pre-show tradition.
"We used to sing warm-ups and gospel songs before the show and have fun that way and get going," he told Huffpost Live this week. "It's a nice way to connect with our crew too, parts of our crew and our security guys and our production crew before the show.
"We grab hands, it's all denominations, all connections with a higher power and God and just coming together," the 41-year-old said. "And just being grateful, really, for the opportunities that we get to go out there and have some fun."
McIntyre was asked about the tradition by NKOTB Prayer Circle founder Jessica Gimeno, whose Facebook group has 111 members.
"I created this group as a [sic] intimate environment for NKOTB fans to express anything stressful going on in their lives and requests for prayer," she wrote in the group's description.
"Feel free to invite people who may want prayers. I won't moderate much (I ask that people do not post ads or any spam) but will occasionally post Scripture to encourage others."
McIntyre encouraged Gimeno to "keep praying".
"I'm glad you guys are connecting," he told her via Huffpost Live video chat.
The other NKOTB members are Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. McIntyre currently stars in the CBS sitcom "The McCarthys," which premieres October 30 at 9:30 p.m ET.
