Boyzone emerged as one of the most successful boybands in music history following their debut in 1994 – and one star nearly joined them.
The Irish group captured the hearts of fans worldwide with their catchy tunes and charismatic performances, solidifying their place in pop culture. However, an intriguing twist in their history involves a familiar face from : Colin Farrell.
It turns out that the Oscar-nominated actor once had aspirations to join the band during its early formation.
This revelation has gained new attention with the release of the Boyzone documentary titled No Matter What, which delves into some of the most significant and dramatic moments of the band’s journey.
Within this documentary, Farrell’s brief encounter with the group has become a hot topic, sparking curiosity about what might have been.
Colin Farrell initially auditioned for Boyzone (Image: Getty)
The thought of Colin Farrell, known for his compelling roles in films, trading his screenplays for synchronised dance moves and matching boyband outfits is undoubtedly a fascinating “what if.”
The man behind Boyzone’s formation, Louis Walsh, played a pivotal role in this near-miss, and one can only imagine how different the music scene—and Farrell’s career—could have been had he taken a detour from to join the ranks of one of the biggest boybands of his time.
An unearthed clip from the Late Late Show got this gem of a story from Farrell, who was refreshingly ready to poke fun at his almost-boyband past.
“I’m not slagging the lads,” he assured everyone, before adding that he was also a former line dancer – because apparently, the leather trousers weren’t enough of a 90s throwback.
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The band were extremely popular in the 90’s (Image: Getty)
When Louis Walsh extended an invitation to Colin Farrell for the open auditions, Farrell showed up brimming with confidence. He was sporting a stylish bandana that added to his flamboyant persona, and he was seen posing alongside the charismatic Shane Lynch and the brief member Mark Walton, creating an image of youthful exuberance and camaraderie.
As the auditions progressed, it came down to the pivotal moment – his rendition of George Michael’s iconic ballad, Careless Whisper. However, let’s just say that on that particular day, Farrell’s performance did not do justice to the legendary singer’s legacy.
It wasn’t just an unremarkable attempt; it was so strikingly memorable that the judges actually requested him to sing the song a second time.
Unfortunately, this second rendition wasn’t prompted by admiration, but perhaps more so as a courtesy to spare him the embarrassment of his initial effort.
Reflecting on his earlier days, Colin recalled a night filled with energy and joy at The Pod nightclub, where he had been dancing his heart out, showcasing his moves and letting the rhythm take control.
“I was on the dance floor, showing a bit of leg back in the day,” he laughed. After an exhilarating night of dancing, he ventured into the bar next door, where he was unexpectedly approached.
A stranger informed him: “This fella wants to talk to you,” and much to his surprise, it was none other than Louis Walsh, a figure who held considerable sway in the music industry. This encounter would prove to be a notable chapter in Farrell’s journey.