Special August update

8/10/00

Finding stuff on Westlife isn't easy. The group had nothing worth mentioning from the U.S. side, other than the fact "Swear It Again" has fallen out of the top 50 songs on the Billboard 100. But from the European side, it's a much different story.

Those of you in Europe will hear Westlife and Mariah Carey's duet "Against All Odds" this month. North American fans: sorry. we miss out on this event.

New album update

No more covers! Westlife has vowed never to release a cover version again. Nicky Bryne said, "I think doing too many covers would be a bad move." Westlife's new single with Mariah Carey, "Against All Odds", will be the last cover to be ever released by Westlife. And what about the new album? It will contain around 4-5 of their own songs...that's right...songs written by the group members themselves. Another 5-6 songs are from the Cheiron guys, and one is by Steve Mack.

Shane getting married?!!!

showbizireland.com is reporting that Shane does indeed have a girlfriend of 6 years, Gillian. If so, it has been a very well kept secret. The two were caught in Dublin leaving a top city centre hotel after a romantic weekend. Now here's the interesting part: The couple are reportedly also engaged to be married.

Collaboration with The Vard Sisters

Manager, Louis Walsh, has said that Westlife and The Vard Sisters (Irish Classical singers) are working together on a single that's a bit classical and a bit funky. The title of the song? "If I Had Words".

Money, Money, Money

The members of Westlife are set to make $7.5 million each (or £5 million) each in the next 12 months. How? A new album, a new tour, and lots of singles. They revealed the windfall at Party in the Park. That is a lot of spending money, if you ask me. But, their weekly expenses are equally astounding, amounting to $60,000 per week (or £40,000). These expenses include the likes of supersonic Concorde flights and hotel rooms. Shane said, "We don't think money has changed us. We're anxious to stay down-to-earth. Money's not the most important thing." That's definitely good to hear.

Spending $45,000 on a bar tab

Westlife has done it again with an expensive bar tab...except this time, they spent the evening with the Backstreet Boys. Together, the two groups spent $45,000 on champagne, etc. Where were they this time? Stockholm (Sweden) at the Bondai Cafe and Bar Opera. Westlife was in Sweden recording songs for their new album while the Backstreet Boys were in Sweden to film a TV show. Together, the two groups are worth an astounding $105 million (or £70 million).

And finally: Westlife is coming back to the United States!

Kian stated, "We're going to be in Sweden for two months then it's off to America for more promotions. Our world tour starts at the beginning of 2001 so we're not anticipating even being back home for a long time yet." Since the story came out in July, U.S. fans can look forward to the group in America in September/October.