Best known for leading New Kids on the Block,
Jordan Knight was born on May 17, 1970, in Worcester, Massachusetts. New Kids on the Block, the boy band that started it all, paved the way for the mushrooming of boy bands, such as the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, in the 1990s. New Kids on the Block was formed in 1984 in Boston and would go on to sell over 70 million albums worldwide. They disbanded in 1994.
Five years later in 1995, Knight came back and launched a solo career with the single “Give It To You.” It was a successful comeback, with the single peaking at number 10 in the Billboard charts. It also went platinum, sold over a million copies, and was even nominated for an MTV Video Music Awards for Best Dance Video. His self-titled album didn't fare so badly either, selling over 500,000 copies. He is married and has one son, who turned 1 last February.
In 2004, Knight was cast in VH1 show
The Surreal Life season 3. The show features celebrities who are said to be past their primes and puts them in a Hollywood Hills mansion for two weeks. As if this is not enough, unforgiving cameras also follow their every move. In this season, Knight had to face challenges, such as taking surfing lessons and recording a group single. Early on, he was having issues with the lack privacy in the show. He didn't have that problem, though, with one of the girls, as he tried flirting with
American Idol alumna
Ryan Starr . Although unsuccessful, this attempt would later prove to be one of the show's highlights. On the recording challenge, meanwhile, Knight revealed his authoritarian side, as he refused inputs from the other cast members.
(Photo courtesy of VH1)