MANILA, Philippines – Boy bands are back.

Only a few others are as in-demand as The Wanted, a British-Irish group composed of 5 very charming lads who were in Manila last week for a one-night concert at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global City on September 14.

If you haven’t heard of them, you’ve probably heard them on the radio. Their UK chart-topping single, “Glad You Came” is incredibly catchy. You might have also heard their latest single “Chasing the Sun” that has also topped charts in the US and Canada. 

When Max George, Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes, Tom Parker and Siva Kaneswaran walked into the room for their press conference, something in the air changed.

Nervous anticipation turned into relaxed, playful energy as the boys answered questions with mischief in their eyes, teased one another and laughed their way into the hearts of media representatives. They even danced “gangnam style,” confessing an admiration for K-pop. 

Touted the “sexiest boy band in the UK” (that they playfully asserted “is a lie”) they are all set to bring boy band mania back. No one is safe.

Then again, who would want to be?

The Wanted boys

Despite being known as a group and being inseparable as friends, the members of The Wanted are as different from one another as the members of the boy band they idolize, the Beatles. 

Here are a couple of things you might not yet know about Max, Jay, Nathan, Tom and Siva:

Max, 24 years old

One of the oldest in the bunch, Max is also widely regarded in the UK as the sexiest in the group.

With his solemn, blue-grey eyes and shaved head, he embodies bad boy appeal yet reveals that sensitive side girls fall for through his songs. He was once a football player and almost signed on for two years to do it professionally.

Some of you might recognize him as a former member of Avenue, another boy band that performed on the British show, The X Factor.

Max revealed to Rappler his strange obsession with sharks. (Girls, take note!)

Jay, 22 years old

He is the anti-thesis to Max.

Jay’s messy mop of brown curls and days-old beard say everything about his laidback personality. Doubly endearing is his confession that he often “makes poor fashion decisions.”

The self-admitted “nerd” of the group, Jay also revealed to Rappler that he is vegetarian. An unfortunate limiting factor to possible date venues but with a witty personality like his, I’m sure most girls would not mind acquiescing. (And if he isn’t available, there’s always his twin brother Tom!)

Nathan, 19 years old

Nathan is the “baby” of the group.

He is not only the youngest but the most baby-faced; yet his performing talent is not to be belittled. Nathan started singing and performing when he was only 6 years old and when he was 10, he even got to kiss Britney Spears as a prize for winning a singing contest!

Nathan told Rappler of his passion for the piano. In fact, some of the tracks in their latest album, Battleground, feature his piano-playing skills. Nathan also shared an unexpected connection to the Philippines: his ex-girlfriend is a Filipina born and raised abroad!

Siva, 23 years old

He is, by unanimous band decision, the hunk of the group.

With his caramel-toned skin and chiselled-by-the-gods jawline and chin, it’s no wonder he enjoyed a career as a model before becoming a member of The Wanted. He is the only Irish lad in the group and also has Asian roots from his Sri Lankan-Tamil father.

Despite his intimidating good looks, Siva told Rappler that he is a geek at heart. He is plain-obsessed by all things Star Wars!

Can you say “I love you” in Huttese? 

Tom, 24 years old

Tom came in the room with high energy and plenty of witty statements up his sleeve.

He was quite apparently the clown. But Tom got serious when he revealed to Rappler that what he enjoys doing the most is producing music, not just singing it. He learned to play the guitar when he was 16 and has been hooked ever since.

But Tom has other arcane pursuits: he studied Geography at university before pursuing a career in music.

Watch The Wanted’s “Chasing the Sun” music video here:

There’s more to learn about these lads than the mere 4-liners in this article. And the boys of The Wanted have also expressed their interest in learning more about their fans (both present and prospective) in the Philippines. 

They were all smiles when they each said that they would “absolutely date a Filipina.” – Rappler.com