Former Westlife member Brian McFadden is making headlines again—this time not for music, but for speaking out about the emotional scars left behind from his time in the band. In the upcoming documentary Boybands Forever, Brian shares deeply personal experiences from his years in Westlife, including disturbing revelations about being body-shamed and missing key family moments due to the intense demands of life in the spotlight.
In one of the documentary’s most shocking admissions, Brian recalls being “horrendously fat-shamed” by the band’s former manager, Louis Walsh. He describes how those harsh criticisms about his appearance not only affected his self-esteem, but also left a lasting impact on his mental health. It’s a jarring reminder of how the pressures of fame—especially in the tightly controlled world of boybands—can go far beyond the stage.
But the emotional toll didn’t stop there. Brian also revealed that the group’s relentless touring schedule forced him to miss important family events, including funerals. “We were expected to always be on,” he said, alluding to the unrelenting pace of success that left no room for grief, rest, or personal time. These revelations shed light on the hidden costs of the pop machine and the ways in which young artists are often pushed beyond their limits.
Since leaving Westlife in 2004, Brian has built a solo career and started a family of his own. Yet, even after two decades, it’s clear that the shadows of his early fame still linger. His comments have sparked heated conversations online about the treatment of young artists in the music industry and the long-term emotional consequences they often face.
While fans continue to celebrate Westlife’s enduring legacy, Brian’s candid testimony is a stark contrast to the polished image most associate with the group’s glory days. It’s a powerful reminder that behind every hit single and screaming crowd, there’s a human being navigating real struggles—and that fame often comes with a cost many never see.
