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Howie Dorough
Howie Dorough
Howie Dorough
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Howard Dwaine Dorough (born August 22, 1973),[1] also known as Howie D, is an American singer and actor. He is a member of the pop vocal group Backstreet Boys.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Dorough was born August 22, 1973, in Orlando, Florida,[1] where he met his friend and bandmate AJ McLean through a mutual vocal coach at the Latin carnival in 1989.[2][3] His mother Paula Flores-Dorough, a school worker, is Puerto Rican, and his father, Hoke Dwaine Dorough, a police officer, former army soldier, real estate developer[4] and bank security,[5] was Irish American.[6] He is the youngest by 10 years of five siblings. His sister, Pollyanna, is also a singer.[7] Another sister, Caroline, died of lupus in September 12, 1998.[7]

Career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Dorough's love and passion for entertainment started when he was three years old, singing "Babyface" with his little guitar.[8] He started performing around age six or seven, thanks to his sister Polyanna, singing during mass in the church choir and having his first role in the musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz as a singer and actor.[9] Throughout elementary school, his mother enrolled him in children's community theaters and he performed in many community theater productions of top musicals, among them "Sound Of Music," "Showboat" and "Camelot"[10] and got him in singing/voice and acting lessons by putting him in a performing arts academy where he also took dance lessons in classical ballet, tap, and jazz. He even was in an all-boy ballet troupe. He did Little League once before switching to the arts. During junior high to high school, Dorough sang in the choir, even qualified for All-State Chorus and talent shows, and joined the drama club, acting in school productions and a school TV show called "Macho & Camacho." He got discovered by an acting agent when he was 14, who gave him the stage name, Tony Donetti, and also managed to land roles in movies, such as Parenthood and Cop and a Half, a lead role in the Nickelodeon TV production pilot for "Welcome Freshman" and star in a commercial for Disney World[11] he even audition for the Mickey mouse club like his bandmates.[12][13][14][15] He was a victim of bullying as a child for his lack of Spanish language, his falsetto vocal range when he was 12 and his weight.[16][17][18][19]

His choir teacher asked Dorough to perform the National Anthem at his high school basketball game. He agreed but forgot the words when it was time to sing.[20] Despite the extreme embarrassment, he got right back on his horse and began performing again when he sang 'Unchained Melody' at his school talent show, and got a standing ovation.[21] He also auditioned for a Latin boy band Menudo, but he did not make it.[22] He was also involved in a peer counseling group called Friends, where he talked to other kids about living "a clean life, having fun, going to school, avoiding drugs."[23][24] When he's not working in the spotlight, he works as a tour guide in Universal Orlando[25] and worked with his sister at Zarro's Bread Basket one summer in New York when he was 14.[26]

He was selected 'Most Talented' and graduated from Edgewater High School in 1991, the Top 10 of his class.[27] After high school, Dorough auditioned for Backstreet Boys under his stage name, but they lost his headshot and contact info; however, after six months, they were able to track him down, thanks to AJ, and was already in the group.[28] He got a scholarship, and attended both University of Central Florida and Valencia College with an Associate of Arts Degree with *NSYNC member, Chris Kirkpatrick.[29]

Backstreet Boys

[edit]
Main article: Backstreet Boys
Dorough (left) and Nick Carter with the Backstreet Boys, 2005

Lou Pearlman created the Backstreet Boys in 1993, selecting Howie Dorough along with AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, and Kevin Richardson. They were then booked to perform at many venues, such as high schools and shopping malls, and eventually signed a contract with Jive Records in 1994. They slowly became popular in European countries, starting with Germany, and embarked on a tour supporting their debut album. The album slowly climbed to the top ten slots in most countries and was on its way to selling more than 8 million copies.

While their second album, Backstreet's Back, was being released in Europe, they released their first album in the United States, a compilation of their international debut and Backstreet's Back. The album climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 14 million copies. Meanwhile, Backstreet's Back became an even more significant success than their debut album, opening at the number-one spot in many countries.

Dorough is most known for his infamous fart, which was recorded and used as a part of the beat for the song "The Call" from the Backstreet Boys' fourth album, Black And Blue.[Billboard 1]

They started recording Millennium in 1998 and released it in May 1999. It became one of the biggest-selling albums ever, taking number one in many countries. Their first single from Millennium's follow-up album, Black & Blue, Shape Of My Heart was released to radio on October 3. Black and Blue recorded first-week sales of 1.59 million copies in the US, making the Backstreet Boys the first artists to back-to-back million album sales.

After releasing their greatest hits album, they went on hiatus and regrouped in 2003. They released their next album, Never Gone in 2005. While critics negatively reviewed it, it enjoyed a lot of commercial success. They released their next album, Unbreakable in 2007 and the follow-up This Is Us in 2009. Their eighth album In a World Like This was released on July 30, 2013. Their ninth album DNA was released on January 25, 2019, with a new headlining tour following in May of the same year. They have become one of the biggest-selling artists of all time, with record sales exceeding 135 million worldwide.

Solo projects

[edit]

Dorough worked as a producer for singer/songwriter George Nozuka and Katelyn Tarver as part of his management partnership with former 3deep member CJ Huyer, called HC Entertainment, formed in 2004. Since 2010, he's also been managing a Canadian band Neverest, under Dorough's company, 3 Street Management.

In 2006, he started work on his first solo album. The album would include Spanish/Latin songs as well as American ones. But he eventually changed his mind on the style of the album. Noting that his Spanish was not the best and that he did not want to be something he was not. Around 2010, he started to work on an album that was more pop/r&b style. Dorough's first solo album, Back to Me, was eventually released on November 15, 2011. The album featured many songs that Dorough co-wrote himself. The album's first single, "100", was released in the summer of 2011 and received moderate airplay primarily in Canada.[30] Also in November 2011, Dorough joined Britney Spears for her Femme Fatale Tour in South America.[31]

In 2015, while Howie had not announced that he was working on a second solo album, some producers mentioned working with Howie on a new album that is said to be released the same year. On May 9, 2019, he announced on Twitter and Instagram that his new solo album, "Which One Am I," would be released on July 12, 2019.[32][33]

TV and film appearances

[edit]

While in the Backstreet Boys, Dorough has done some acting over the years. Appearing in Roswell, ABC's television series Sabrina, the Teenage Witch in the episode "The Big Head" as an egotistic rock star named Strum, and voiced Santa Claus on the Nick Jr animated series Dora the Explorer in the Christmas episode "A Present for Santa" and did a skit on Saturday Night Live on May 15, 1999. In September 2002, Dorough and the rest of The Backstreet Boys made special guest appearances on the children's cartoon Arthur. In 2013, Dorough made his motion picture debut by appearing in the comedy This Is the End along with the rest of the Backstreet Boys. On February 5, 2021, Dorough appeared on Long Island Medium: There in Spirit to receive a psychic reading from Theresa Caputo about his father and sister.[34][35] On February 1, 2022, Dorough competed in a dance competition for Dirty Dancing on Fox.[36][37] In June 2017, Dorough appeared on the USA Network show Big Star Little Star with his then 7-year-old son James.[38] On February 7, 2024, Dorough appeared on the Fox Network show Name that Tune, competing against Drew Lachey of the band 98 Degrees.[39][40][41]

Other ventures

[edit]

Dorough also founded a company called Sweet D, Inc. with his older brother John.[42] The company specializes in real estate development and consulting. It has built numerous condominiums, hotels, and waterfront properties.[4] He's also founded and held the positions of CEO, chairman, and director in several other companies, most notably Dorough Lupus Foundation and Howiedoit Productions, Inc.[43][44]

Early in 2020, Dorough starred in a musical loosely based on his life called Howie D: Back in the Day at The Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska.[45] In the show, Dorough's sister, Pollyanna, was played by Natalie Hanson and his Mother was played by Christina Maria.

Personal life

[edit]

In September 1998, Dorough's sister, Caroline Dorough-Cochran, died of lupus.[46] After her death, Dorough established the Dorough Lupus Foundation (DLF) in her honor to help raise money for lupus research. Howie has organized many charity events for the foundation, including concerts, auctions, and annual cruises. The foundation helps raise awareness about the disease, provides financial support for those who cannot afford treatment, and raises money for research.[47]

According to the band's YouTube page, he has Scandinavian, African, Iberian, Native American, Central and South American, Scottish, Welsh, Balkan, and Middle Eastern ancestry.[48][49]

Relationships

[edit]

Dorough has been private about his romantic connections. According to "Entertainment Tonight", he dated his singing partner Jennifer during his final year of high school, but they broke up due to his career in 1994, leaving him heartbroken.[50] While touring Europe in 1995 or 1996, he briefly dated a woman named Sabina[51] and then dated a Canadian model named Claudia Opdenkelder. He stated, "I had come out of a relationship, so I wasn't looking for anything serious."[52]

On December 6, 2000, Dorough met Leigh Anne Boniello, a film executive producer for Warner Brothers and DreamWorks, who was working as the webmaster for the official Backstreet Boys website at the time.[52] Howie and Leigh dated for six years, and in 2006, he proposed to her in front of her family on New Year's.[53] A year later, on December 8, 2007, they married in a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. James Cathedral in Orlando, where he was baptized and sang in the choir.[54][55] They have two sons together.[56][57] Dorough helped his wife launch her first line of eco-friendly handbags called Eslla, a luxury company she designed and founded with her friend of more than a decade, Charlotte Wienckoski.[58]

Discography

[edit]
See also: Backstreet Boys discography

Albums

[edit]
Title Year Peak positions
JPN
[59]
Back to Me 56
Live from Toronto
  • Released: March 13, 2012
  • Format: Digital download
Which One Am I
  • Released: July 12, 2019
  • Label:
  • Formats: Digital Download, CD

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Album
2011 100 Back to Me
Lie to Me
2012 Going Going Gone
2019 No Hablo Español Which One Am I
The Me I'm Meant to Be
Monsters In My Head

Collaborations

[edit]
  • "Every Minute, Every Hour" (co-writer) (2gether)
  • "Show Me What You Got" (Bratz featuring BoA and Howie Dorough)
  • "I'll Be There" (Howie Dorough featuring Sarah Geronimo)
  • "It Still Matters ~愛は眠らない(Ai wa Nemuranai)~" (The Gospellers featuring Howie Dorough)
  • "I Like It" (co-writer) (So Real, Mandy Moore)
  • "If I Say" (Howie Dorough featuring U)
  • "Worth Fighting For" (Howie Dorough featuring U)
  • "New Tomorrow" (featuring Howie D) (A Friend in London feat Howie Dorough)

Filmography

[edit]
TV series & movies
Year Film Role Notes
1989 Parenthood Student in Class (uncredited)
1990 Welcome Freshmen Lead (Pilot)
1998 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Himself Episode: "Battle of the Bands"
1998–1999 Saturday Night Live Himself and Musical guest "Julianne Moore/Backstreet Boys" (Season 23: episode 16)
"Sarah Michelle Gellar/Backstreet Boys" (Season 24: episode 19)
2000 Roswell Alien (cameo) Season 1 episode 22 "Destiny"
2002 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Strum Season 7 episode 2 "The Big Head"
2002 Arthur Himself Episode: "Arthur, It's Only Rock and Roll" Guest Voice
2002 Sesame Street Himself
2005 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Himself Musical Guest with the Backstreet Boys
2009 El Hormiguero Himself Musical Guest With The Backstreet Boys
2012 Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Himself Musical Guest with Backstreet Boys
2013 El Hormiguero Himself Musical Guest With The Backstreet Boys
2013 This Is the End himself With the Backstreet Boys, performing "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"
2014 I Heart Nick Carter Himself minor
2000-2014 Dora the Explorer Voice Acting Played Santa in A Present For Santa and the Singing Bridge in Dora's Pirate Adventure
2016 Dead 7 The Vaquero
2021 Long Island Medium: There in Spirit Himself Season 1 episode 6
2017 Big Star Little Star Himself with son James Dorough
2024 Name That Tune Himself

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Howie Dorough

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Howard Dwaine Dorough (born August 22, 1973), known professionally as Howie D, is an American , , and entrepreneur best recognized as a member of the , the best-selling of all time with over 100 million records sold worldwide. Born in , to an Irish-American father and a Puerto Rican mother, Dorough was the youngest of five siblings and grew up in a family that encouraged his interest in from a young age. As a shy child, he found an outlet in singing, dancing, and acting, beginning his stage career at age six or seven by performing in a production of alongside his sister. Dorough co-founded the Backstreet Boys in 1993 in Orlando, initially serving as a lead vocalist before transitioning to a supporting role under producer Max Martin; the group achieved global superstardom in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits like "I Want It That Way" and albums such as Millennium (1999), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The Backstreet Boys have earned multiple accolades, including eight Grammy nominations, MTV Video Music Awards, and American Music Awards, and continue to tour, with their 2019 album DNA marking their first number-one debut on the Billboard 200 since 2000. In addition to his band career, Dorough has pursued solo endeavors, releasing the single "Back to Me" in 2011 and a family-friendly children's album Which One Am I? in 2019, which draws from his experiences as a father. He also starred in the musical Howie D: Back in the Day, which premiered in 2020, and has appeared in films and television, including voice roles and documentaries about the . More recently, Dorough has ventured into business, opening the upscale restaurant Coa and cocktail lounge Coa Lounge in , in March 2025 as part of the oceanfront condominium complex The Surf, reflecting his interest in culinary experiences gained from global touring. Dorough married Leigh Boniello in 2007, and the couple has two sons, James (born 2009) and (born 2013); he is also known for his philanthropic work, including the Dorough Foundation established in honor of his late sister and, in November 2025, contributing vocals to "We ," a song supporting veterans through the CreatiVets program.

Early life and education

Family and childhood

Howard Dwaine Dorough was born on August 22, 1973, in , as the youngest of five children to parents Paula Flores, of Puerto Rican heritage, and Hoke Dorough, an Irish American. His mixed ethnic background shaped his early sense of identity, growing up in a predominantly Anglo-Saxon neighborhood where his mother emphasized English proficiency to help her children assimilate. Dorough's siblings included an older brother named John and three older sisters: Pollyanna, Angie, and Caroline. His sister Caroline Dorough-Cochran tragically died in September 1998 at the age of 38 from , a loss that profoundly affected the family. Another sister, , emerged as a significant influence, pursuing a career as a and vocal . The Dorough household fostered a vibrant musical environment that sparked Howie's lifelong passion for performance. His parents introduced him to diverse sounds, including from the Eagles and funk from , while family gatherings often revolved around music and . Pollyanna's involvement in local theater and church performances provided early inspiration, encouraging the shy young Howie to explore and acting as outlets for self-expression. This nurturing backdrop in Orlando laid the foundation for his artistic interests without formal pressure, allowing music to become a natural part of daily life.

Early performing arts involvement

Dorough demonstrated an early affinity for performance at the age of three, when he would jump onto his grandmother's bed in Orlando, Florida, singing "Baby Face" while strumming a toy guitar, revealing a budding passion for entertainment. This inclination was nurtured within his musical family environment, where siblings encouraged creative expression through song and theater. By age six or seven, he secured his first stage role as a Munchkin in a local production of The Wizard of Oz, an experience that solidified his love for musical theater and was facilitated by his sister Pollyanna, who also performed in the show as the Good Witch. He further honed his vocal skills by singing in the church choir alongside family members, participating in folk masses and memorizing lyrics despite not yet being able to read. As a , Dorough took on roles under the stage name "Tony Donetti," suggested by his agent who believed it sounded more marketable, including appearances in a commercial and other local television productions. These early opportunities were part of the thriving Orlando entertainment scene, which offered access to community theater groups, talent showcases, and proximity to major attractions like , fostering a supportive ecosystem for young performers. His involvement extended to elementary school plays, where he once portrayed a , helping him overcome initial and build on . Dorough continued his performing arts pursuits through high school at Edgewater High School in Orlando, where he graduated in 1991 as one of the top ten students in his class and was voted "Most Talented" by his peers. There, he actively participated in the school choir and chorus, musical theater productions, and talent shows, experiences that deepened his skills in singing, acting, and performance while immersing him further in the local arts community. After high school, Dorough attended and the on a , earning an Associate of Arts degree.

Professional career

Backstreet Boys tenure

Howie Dorough auditioned for and joined the in , in 1993 at the age of 19, becoming one of the group's five original members alongside A.J. McLean, , Kevin Richardson, and . The group was formed by local entrepreneur , who sought to create a vocal harmony-based act inspired by , with Dorough selected for his and stage presence after performing at open calls in the area. Within the group dynamic, Dorough served as the voice, often providing smooth, harmonious support and earning the nickname "the gentle romantic" for his charismatic, laid-back demeanor and contributions to ballads that emphasized emotional depth. The released their self-titled debut album in 1996 internationally, marking the start of their rise to global fame with hits like "We've Got It Goin' On," though it took until 1997 for significant U.S. breakthrough. Their second international album, (1997), further solidified their popularity in Europe and Asia. The group's major U.S. success came with in 1999, which debuted at No. 1 on the and sold 1.13 million copies in its first week, setting a then-record for the largest single-week album sales in the SoundScan era. Followed by Black & Blue in 2000, which also topped the and featured the hit "Shape of My Heart," these albums propelled the group to superstardom, with extensive world tours drawing millions of fans. After the intense * concluded in 2001, the Backstreet Boys entered a hiatus from 2002 to 2004, allowing members time for personal projects amid burnout and legal battles with Pearlman. They reunited for in 2005, but the period tested group cohesion. In a personal tragedy during their 1998 European tour promoting , Dorough's sister Caroline died suddenly at age 37 from complications of , leading the group to cancel a Minneapolis performance and providing emotional support to Dorough as he grieved amid their rising fame. The Backstreet Boys continued with sporadic releases and tours, achieving renewed success with DNA in 2019, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200—their first chart-topping album in 19 years—and spawned the DNA World Tour, one of their highest-grossing outings. By 2025, the group had sold over 130 million records worldwide, cementing their status as the best-selling boy band in history. Dorough's tenure highlights include the "Into the Millennium" residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, which began in July 2025 and has been extended due to demand through February 2026, featuring immersive performances of their classic hits with cutting-edge visuals.

Solo music endeavors

Howie Dorough released his debut solo album, Back to Me, on November 15, 2011, after developing the project over several years during periods of availability from commitments. The album incorporates pop and elements alongside Latin influences, reflecting Dorough's exploration of his Puerto Rican heritage through collaborations with artists like and inclusions of Spanish-language tracks. Dorough served as a primary on the record, co-writing several to showcase a more personal side of his artistry beyond the group's dynamic. The , "100," a upbeat track, achieved moderate success by peaking at number 14 on the chart in 2011. Dorough's second solo effort, Which One Am I?, arrived on July 12, 2019, as a family-oriented project designed for younger audiences while drawing from his own life experiences. Inspired by childhood memories and personal battles with and anxiety—struggles that positioned him as the quieter member amid the ' high-energy persona—the album features uplifting, narrative-driven songs emphasizing self-discovery and emotional resilience. In a 2019 interview with GRAMMY.com, Dorough explained how these themes stemmed from his insecurities, aiming to create music that could help families discuss openly. Tracks like "No Hablo Español" highlight his cultural roots, recounting humorous yet poignant anecdotes about growing up bilingual in a multicultural household. During an off-stage moment amid the Backstreet Boys' Las Vegas residency at in 2025, Dorough delivered a surprise acoustic rendition of the band's hit "" on August 22, 2025—his 52nd birthday—in a Vegas barbershop, blending his individual performance style with group nostalgia.

Acting and media appearances

Dorough began his acting career with guest appearances on television during the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 1998, he appeared alongside his bandmates as unnamed teenagers in the episode "The Band Episode" of on ABC. He returned to the series in a solo capacity in 2002, portraying the egotistical rock star Strum in the season seven premiere "The Big Head," where his character's arrogance leads to a magical mishap enlarging his head. That same year, Dorough made a brief as an unnamed alien in the season one finale "Destiny" of the WB sci-fi series Roswell. In film, Dorough had a notable cameo alongside the in the 2013 apocalyptic comedy , directed by and , where the group performs a heavenly musical number during the sequence. He took on a more substantial role in 2016 as The Vaquero, a sharpshooter character, in the zombie Western , which was written by and starred his bandmate as the director. Dorough has also ventured into reality and formats. On February 6, 2024, he competed on the musical Name That Tune in the "Divas vs. Boybands" episode, teaming with of to represent charities including Lupus LA; the opposing team of and ultimately won $140,000 for their causes. In a playful media crossover, Dorough joined onstage during her residency on April 1, 2017, participating in an S&M-themed performance of her song "Freakshow" from the 2007 album Blackout, complete with a leash and whip prop.

Business and philanthropic activities

In addition to his entertainment career, Dorough co-founded Sweet D, Inc., a real estate development and consulting firm, with his brother John in the early 2000s, focusing on projects in Florida. The company, later operating as Dorough Brothers Development & Consulting in Winter Park, has undertaken various commercial and residential developments in Central Florida over more than a decade. Dorough launched Howie Eatz, a series of culinary tour experiences featuring dining at local restaurants paired with personal interactions, in the . By 2024–2025, the initiative expanded to new international locations, including events in , , and , allowing participants to join him for immersive food and cultural outings. On the philanthropic front, Dorough established the Dorough Lupus Foundation in 1998 in memory of his sister Caroline, who died from the disease, with the goal of funding research, education, and financial assistance for those affected by . The foundation has organized annual events and awareness campaigns to support global lupus initiatives. Dorough has also invested in the hospitality sector, including the development of the 150-room Place Cape Canaveral and the Altitude360 Sky Bar & Observation Deck, which opened in early 2025. In April 2025, he unveiled The Surf, a five-story oceanfront complex in Cocoa Beach featuring a , lounge, and condominiums. Additionally, he participates in speaking engagements on topics such as personal growth and family, drawing from his experiences. As of August 2025, Dorough's is estimated at $40 million, reflecting his diversified business pursuits.

Personal life

Marriage and children

Dorough met Leigh Boniello in December 2000 while she was working as the webmaster for the . The couple dated for seven years before he proposed to her on 2006 in front of her family and friends. Their engagement was announced in August 2007. On December 8, 2007, Dorough and Boniello married in a private Roman Catholic ceremony at St. James Cathedral in , attended by family and fellow members. The couple welcomed their first son, James Hoke Dorough—named after Dorough's late father—on May 6, 2009, in . Their second son, Holden John Dorough, was born on February 16, 2013. Dorough and his family reside in . He has described their family life as involving frequent travel and his wife and children accompanying him on tours to maintain closeness despite his career demands. The family enjoys shared activities, including globetrotting adventures that strengthen their bond.

Advocacy and health initiatives

Howie Dorough has openly discussed his long-term struggles with anxiety and , which began in childhood and were intensified by the pressures of early fame with the . As a child, he avoided public attention, such as hiding during family gatherings and dreading music class performances, and these issues persisted into adulthood, manifesting as performance nerves and a fear of criticism. The demands of group dynamics, including feeling overshadowed as a background vocalist and facing producer scrutiny, further exacerbated his anxiety during the band's rise. In a 2019 interview, Dorough explained how these experiences inspired his solo family album Which One Am I?, intended to help children and parents address similar emotional challenges. Through various interviews, Dorough has advocated for awareness, sharing his personal story to encourage open conversations about anxiety and self-doubt in the entertainment industry. He has emphasized the importance of vulnerability in overcoming , drawing from his own journey to inspire others facing similar issues. Dorough's commitment to health initiatives extends to lupus awareness, driven by the 1998 death of his Caroline from the after a 13-year battle. Motivated by this family history of autoimmune disorders, he co-founded the Dorough Lupus Foundation to support research, education, and financial aid for patients. In 2024, Dorough participated in the game show , directing his winnings toward lupus-related causes as part of ongoing charity efforts.

Discography

Solo albums

Howie Dorough released his debut solo studio album, Back to Me, on November 15, 2011, through his own label, HowieDoIt Music. The self-produced pop record features 12 tracks, many of which Dorough co-wrote, exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and personal perseverance, presented in a mature style that reflects his growth beyond pop. Critics noted its emotional depth and smooth production, with one review praising Dorough's ability to capture unique nuances in love songs, though others described it as conservative and lacking standout charisma. The album achieved modest commercial success, peaking at number 56 on Japan's following its earlier Japanese release on November 9, 2011, but did not enter major U.S. charts. Promotion included a "100" and a dedicated tour in with live performances to build international buzz. Dorough also released the live album Live from Toronto on March 13, 2012, as a digital download, capturing performances from his solo tour. Dorough's second solo album, Which One Am I?, arrived on July 12, 2019, also via HowieDoIt Music, comprising 12 family-oriented tracks designed for children and parents alike. Co-produced by Dorough with Grammy-nominated composer Tor Hyams and vocalist Lisa St. Lou, the album fuses pop with Latin influences—drawing from Dorough's Puerto Rican heritage—alongside and Broadway-style elements, as heard in tracks like the ebullient "No Hablo ." Inspired by Dorough's childhood experiences with anxiety, shyness, and identity struggles, the songs address overcoming insecurities through humorous and poignant storytelling, aiming to provide relatable messages for young listeners. Reception was positive among family music outlets, with reviews highlighting its heartfelt accessibility, warmth, and broad appeal, earning a five-star rating for its engaging variety. Lacking major placements, the album garnered strong support from fans and led to promotional appearances on television and radio, plus plans for a related stage show in 2020 to extend its educational themes. The vibrant artwork features Dorough in a playful, colorful setting with childlike motifs, emphasizing its kid-friendly intent.

Solo singles

Howie Dorough's solo singles career began with the release of "100" in 2011 as the from his debut album Back to Me. The upbeat pop track, co-written by Dorough with production by Jedediah Harper and Kuya Productions, incorporates elements and was accompanied by an official , which showcases a playful battle in a laundromat setting. Following "100," Dorough released "Lie to Me" later that same year as the second single from Back to Me. This mid-tempo ballad explores themes of heartbreak and deception, with lyrics co-penned by Dorough and production by Chris DeStefano. The single received an official music video, emphasizing emotional storytelling through intimate visuals, and contributed to the album's promotion during Dorough's solo performances and media appearances. In 2012, "Going Going Gone" was released as the third single from Back to Me. In , Dorough ventured into family-oriented music with "No Hablo ," the from his second Which One Am I?. This bilingual track, blending English and Spanish lyrics, reflects on Dorough's Puerto Rican heritage and his childhood struggles with language barriers in a predominantly non-Hispanic community. Co-written by Dorough, Tor Hyams, and Lisa St. Lou, it features a heritage-themed starring Dorough's son James and his mother Paula, highlighting and bonds through vibrant, narrative-driven scenes. The single garnered minor airplay on select and stations, aligning with the album's inspirational tone for younger audiences. Additional singles from Which One Am I? include "The Me I'm Meant to Be" and "Monsters In My Head," both released in 2019.
SingleRelease YearAlbumKey Notes
"100"2011Back to MeLead single; dance-pop video with laundromat battle theme. Approximately 550,000 Spotify streams as of November 2025.
"Lie to Me"2011Back to MeHeartbreak ballad; official video focuses on emotional narrative. Approximately 350,000 Spotify streams as of November 2025.
"Going Going Gone"2012Back to MeThird single; promoted during solo tours.
"No Hablo Español"2019Which One Am I?Bilingual heritage track; family-featured video emphasizing cultural roots. Approximately 200,000 Spotify streams as of November 2025.
"The Me I'm Meant to Be"2019Which One Am I?Family-oriented track with music video.
"Monsters In My Head"2019Which One Am I?Addresses childhood fears; promotional single.

Filmography and television

Film roles

Dorough began his acting career as a child performer in the late , using the stage name Tony Donetti for early auditions and roles, which his agent believed suited a perceived Italian heritage. His first credited film appearance came in the 1989 comedy Parenthood, directed by , where he played a minor role as a kid in the classroom during a memorable scene involving a disruptive student performance. This uncredited but documented extra part marked his entry into feature films before his rise to fame with the , highlighting his initial forays into child acting amid Orlando's local entertainment scene. In 2005, Dorough took on a small supporting role as , a cab driver, in the independent drama Constellation, directed by , which explored themes of racial identity and family trauma in the American South. The film premiered at the Los Angeles and received limited theatrical release, with Dorough's character providing brief but pivotal transportation in a narrative centered on a biracial artist's return home. Dorough's most prominent film role arrived in 2013 with a group as himself in , the apocalyptic comedy directed by and starring and . Alongside his bandmates—, , , and Kevin Richardson—he featured in the film's climactic musical sequence, performing "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" amid the chaos of a celebrity-filled end-of-the-world scenario, adding a nostalgic pop culture nod to the ensemble cast. His lead acting credit came in 2016 with , a Syfy original post-apocalyptic zombie Western directed by bandmate , where Dorough portrayed Billy, a gunslinger in a ragtag group combating undead threats in a lawless frontier. Co-written and produced by the Backstreet Boys' and featuring other musicians in acting roles, the film blended horror, Western, and musical elements, premiering on October 14, 2016, to capitalize on the band's fanbase while showcasing Dorough's dramatic range in a narrative-driven ensemble.

Television appearances

Dorough made his acting debut on television with a in the science fiction series Roswell, where he portrayed an unnamed alien in the season one finale episode "Destiny," which aired on May 15, 2000. In 2002, he appeared as the arrogant pop star in the seventh season premiere of titled "The Big Head," broadcast on ABC. In the episode, his character clashes with protagonist during a music collaboration gone awry. Dorough provided voice acting for the children's animated series , voicing in the 2002 Christmas special episode "A Present for Santa" and the Singing Bridge in the 2005 episode "Dora's Pirate Adventure." Dorough ventured into competitions later in his career. He competed in the 2022 Fox special The Real Dirty Dancing, a three-part series where celebrities trained at the iconic Mountain Lake Lodge to recreate scenes from the 1987 film . Paired with professional dancer , Dorough performed lifts and dances, vying to be crowned the next Johnny Castle. The show premiered on February 1, 2022, and highlighted his efforts to channel the film's romantic and energetic choreography. In 2024, Dorough participated in a celebrity episode of the game show Name That Tune on Fox, titled "Divas vs. Boybands," which aired on February 6. Teaming with Wendi McLendon-Covey against Vanessa Williams and Drew Lachey, he showcased his musical knowledge in bid-a-note challenges and tune identifications, competing to win cash prizes for his selected charity, Lupus LA. His performance included correctly naming classics like "Hello, Dolly!" and "Down Under," though he faltered on "Heat of the Moment" by Asia. The episode raised funds and awareness for lupus research, tying into Dorough's long-standing advocacy.

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