New Kids on the Block Band Members — Where Are They Now (30+ Pics)

They were once the next big thing in the teen group category since The Osmonds, dominating the music industry with their talents and charm that have carried over until this very day.

Known to captivate the spotlight with catchy hits such as "You Got It," "Please Don't Go Girl," and "Step by Step," to name a few, New Kids On The Block (NKOTB) had the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s in a chokehold. From selling millions of records and performing at sold-out arenas, this group of stars even sparked a teenage fan frenzy, so intense that it had been likened to Beatle mania.

While they achieved the height of their fame back in the day, OG band members, brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, and Joey McIntyre still captivate plenty of attention today.

From building families to forging solo careers in different facets of the entertainment industry, and reuniting for an album and a 2024 tour, let's take a trip down memory lane and complete the journey in the present by looking at where the band started and where each member is now below!

From Stadium-Shaking Stardom to Legal Storms, and Back Again

"There's never been anything like it in the history of the record business," declared Maurice Starr, the mastermind credited with co-launching the NKOTB to superstardom. Once referred to as a Svengali figure, Maurice didn't hold back on his praise, saying of the group, "Nothing like it ever anywhere."

His bold words weren't without merit — during their peak, NKOTB's cultural reach was undeniable, as they were even dubbed the biggest White teen group since The Osmonds, who dominated the late 60s and early 70s.

Their second studio album, "Hangin' Tough," through Columbia Records, sold more than two million copies and made history as the first teen vocal group to land three Top 10 singles from a single album ("Please Don't Go Girl," "The Right Stuff," and "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)").

From Boston stages to international arenas, the group's impact reached far beyond teen fandom. Inspired by prominent Black artists, they helped redefine the formula for commercial pop success in the late '80s and early '90s.

"Danny was a rapper just like I was. We all listened to a lot of R&B. That's what our friends were into. Singing Black came natural [sic] to us. Some of the guys were really into the Stylistics," divulged Donnie in 1989.

But behind the squeaky-clean image and crowd-thrilling performances, controversy loomed. In 1992, University of Massachusetts-Boston music professor Greg McPherson — who had worked with the group — alleged that the New Kids lip-synced the vast majority of their concerts and sang only about 20 percent of their own vocals on records.

He filed a lawsuit seeking $21 million in damages from Maurice, claiming unpaid royalties and additional fees, and deceptive production practices. The fallout intensified when a Chicago fan took legal action of their own, launching a $75 million class-action lawsuit against the band, accusing them of defrauding millions of loyal fans.

While the legal battle cast a shadow over their spotless image, it didn't erase the cultural imprint the group had already made — nor the bond they continued to share with their supporters.

In a twist that even longtime fans might not have seen coming, the New Kids didn't fade quietly into nostalgia. In 2024, they roared back onto the scene with their first new album in over a decade — a 12-track project steeped in retro synth-pop, laced with K-pop energy, and wrapped in '80s nostalgia.

It includes fresh cuts like the dance-ready "Kids" and the heartfelt ballad "A Love Like This." What made this record unique wasn't just its sound, but its process — it was recorded almost entirely remotely from different parts of the country.

The result was more than just music; it was a love letter to the journey the group has walked together and the fans who've been with them through it all. One of their latest projects, The Magic Summer 2024 Tour, echoes their legendary 1990 stadium run — this time reimagined with modern flair and a stacked lineup, which reportedly included Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

From the tour's June kickoff in Cuyahoga Falls to its final show in Noblesville in August, it's clear the fire still burns strong.

Despite the passage of time, the members remain driven by passion and gratitude. "Our bodies get a little older every year," Jordan shared in 2024, "but I think as long as we keep that spirit of being young and open and excited about life, we can still feel like kids even when we're 95 years old."

Jordan Knight: From Pop Stardom to Personal Healing

During the height of his solo career in the 2000s, Jordan made a choice that many in the entertainment world often struggle with — he stepped back from the spotlight to be present for his growing family.

"There are a lot of doors open right now," he stated in 2007, "but I don't want to do anything that will take me away from my family for very long. They're only going to be young for so long, and I'd hate to miss this time in their lives."

At the time, he and his wife, Evelyn, had just welcomed their second son, Eric Jacob, while their eldest, Dante Jordan, was already showing a close bond with his baby brother. For Jordan, fatherhood came first. "Fatherhood is the best thing I've ever done. I love being a dad. My life is very full," he swooned.

Beyond family life, Jordan also opened up about a deeply personal chapter — his battle with alcohol addiction. In a raw and reflective interview from 2012, he revealed that it wasn't willpower but emotional pain that prompted him to change.

"A lot of people are like, 'You're so strong, you have so much will power,'" he recalled. "And I'm like, 'It wasn't willpower, it was pain. It was hurt.'"

His honesty shed light on the unseen struggles behind fame, emphasizing the importance of support systems and hitting a personal low to spark change. "If you don't have those friends to do that, or family, you're gonna be in trouble," he reflected.

Jonathan Knight: Walking Away, Finding Peace, and Building a New Life

Long before boy band reunions became trendy, Jonathan had already stepped away from the limelight — and for reasons far deeper than fame fatigue. In a candid 2023 interview, Jonathan reflected on his early departure from NKOTB in the mid-'90s, revealing it was part personal, part emotional.

"Being a young gay kid, I was just like frustrated, want to get out live my own life [sic]," he revealed. "And the other reason — it just felt like it was not going anywhere." By 1994, the pressure of fame had caught up to him.

Living alone in a sprawling mansion that he admitted was a "stupid decision," Jonathan found himself questioning everything. "It was a scary moment of just not knowing what the future would look like," he shared.

Decades later, the picture is far clearer — and brighter. Now in his 50s, Jonathan continues to tour with NKOTB and has carved out a second act as the star of a hit HGTV show. "I would have never thought in my 20s that at 54, I'd still be touring with the New Kids, and I would have a hit TV show," he told ET in 2022.

Off-stage, he's also found lasting love, quietly tying the knot with his longtime partner, Harley Rodriguez. Though the ceremony was private, Jonathan confirmed the union with a smile and a simple, "We did."

Donnie Wahlberg: From Firestorm to Frontline Fame

Once branded the "bad boy" of New Kids, Donnie's early fame came with more than just chart-topping hits. In 1991, he made headlines for all the wrong reasons when he was charged with first-degree arson following a fire at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, where the band was staying.

Authorities alleged that Donnie, then just 20, had poured a flammable liquid on a rug and set it alight. Though no one was injured and the damage was minimal, the charges were serious, carrying potential penalties of 20 years up to life in prison.

Behind the case and tabloid chaos, however, was a young man ready for reinvention. Born into a large Boston family, Donnie had been immersed in the arts since his teens, dabbling in acting, directing, and music production — even helping launch his famous brother Mark Wahlberg's rap group.

While NKOTB disbanded in 1994, Donnie transitioned to Hollywood, earning respect for gritty roles in "The Sixth Sense," "Band of Brothers," and eventually becoming a household name as detective Danny Reagan on "Blue Bloods."

Today, Donnie balances his acting career with his personal life, raising two sons from his first marriage and sharing a life with A-list wife, Jenny McCarthy. From pop pandemonium to primetime TV, Donnie has proved there's more to his story than youthful rebellion.

Danny Wood: From Center Stage to the Kitchen Counter

While Danny once brought fire to the stage as a key member of NKOTB, today, he's turning up the heat in a different way — in the kitchen. A quick scroll through his Instagram reveals his passion project: TorchBearer Sauces, the star's very own line of bold, flavorful condiments.

Whether he's whipping up recipes or sharing behind-the-scenes peeks, Danny has clearly found joy in cooking and connecting with fans through food.

In a heartwarming 2022 clip, he's seen in the kitchen with a young loved one, both smiling as they cook together — a moment that captures his shift from pop star to doting family man and food enthusiast. Far from the stadium spotlight, Danny's recent performances are filled with spice, laughter, and a pinch of love.

Joey McIntyre: From Tween Sensation to Devoted Dad

Just 12 years old when he joined New Kids, Joey completed the iconic lineup with a voice well beyond his years and a stage presence that lit up arenas. His boyish charm and emotional vocals quickly made him a standout — and a fan favorite — as the group skyrocketed to international fame.

These days, Joey balances his enduring musical career with his most cherished role yet: being a dad. He and his wife, Barrett Williams, share three children — sons Griffin and Rhys Edward, and daughter Kira Katherine.

Though decades have passed since his teen idol days, Joey's passion for performance and deep-rooted love for family continue to define his journey.

Still Hangin' Tough Then, Now, and Always

From chart-topping hits and headline-making moments to quiet personal victories and career reinventions, the journey of New Kids On The Block is far from over. Each member has carved out his own path, yet their bond — and the connection they share with generations of fans — remains stronger than ever.

Whether they're lighting up a stage, raising families, or stirring up something new in the kitchen, the New Kids continue to show that growing older doesn't mean letting go — it just means finding new ways to shine.