Joey McIntyre is back in the spotlight, but possibly not where you might expect him to be, this time held by the glow of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. The approaching 2025 addition, best known for being the youngest member on New Kids on the Block, has signed on to compete in the celebrity-driven game show where contestants solve word puzzles while spinning that iconic wheel for their charity of choice.
A number of his fans immediately connect his name now with the 1980s and 1990s pop superstars, whom he helped lead up the charts with hits like “Step by Step.” Others remember McIntyre as the Broadway actor who earned praise for stints in shows like Wicked, or as the solo singer of Top 10 ballad “Stay the Same.”
McIntyre is demonstrating that his celebrity power isn't limited to theater or music by entering the Celebrity Wheel of Fortune arena. Rather, it's about his charm, adaptability, and capacity to reinvent himself throughout decades of shifting entertainment trends.
From pop icon to game show contender: The Celebrity Wheel of Fortune moment
From boy band heartthrob to household name
Joey McIntyre achieved worldwide stardom in the late 1980s when he became the youngest member of New Kids on the Block at age 12. He was the youngest, but he had so much stage presence and singing ability that he couldn’t help but stand out. During their height of success, NKOTB sold out concerts and ruled the charts while selling over 80 million records worldwide. They were the epitome of a boyband at the time being that they could all can dance very well, and their catchy pop tunes.
Many fans wondered whether McIntyre would be able to carve his own path in an industry that has a long history of forgetting its young stars, as the group eventually disbanded in the mid 90s. His success outside of the boy band genre was demonstrated in 1999 when his first solo single, "Stay the Same," became a hit. Because of its sincere message, the song struck a chord with listeners and cemented McIntyre's status as more than just a former teenage idol.
Reinventing himself on stage and screen
As much as McIntyre is permanently anchored in music, his career goes well past being a bankable pop star. And with juicy parts in productions like Wicked, Waitress and Chicago, which earned him critical acclaim for his acting as well as a showcase of vocal range, Broadway became a major stop on his professional journey. Amid an entertainment world that tends to quickly pass from boy band froufrou, his theater work demonstrated not just range but also some staying power.
McIntyre’s music will always be one piece of his identity, but his career has taken him far outside the mainstream. Broadway proved to be a pivotal point in his career with star-making roles in productions such as Wicked, Waitress, and Chicago where he stunned critics with his ability to act as wall as sing. His theater appearances proved both highly varied and long-lived in an entertainment universe that frequently disposes of boy band stardom faster than knockoff polo shirts after an outbreak of e-coli.
Joey McIntyre on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
For McIntyre, playing on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune is more than just a game; it’s one more chance to make another connection with his fans. His reputation as an artist who deals in both humor and heart is a good fit for the show’s mix of philanthropy, silliness, and yearning for nostalgia. That same excitement that endeared him to audiences in both theater and music will come across loud and clear for viewers who tune in.
In many respects, his appearance also emphasizes Celebrity Wheel of Fortune's ability to appeal to a wide range of viewers. Solving puzzles isn't the only goal; bringing in well-known individuals with decades of experience is also important. The game show participation is the most recent evidence of Joey McIntyre's smooth transition from boy band stardom to multi-platform entertainment. Music, Broadway, acting, and now spinning the wheel for charity are just a few of the ways McIntyre continues to demonstrate that his journey is far from ended.
Watch Joey Mcintyre on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on ABC Network.