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๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Culture & Society

Shocking! See What a Once-Famous Musician Does Today: 'People Think I'm a Millionaire, But I Don't Even Have a House'

From Veฤernji List · (7h ago) Croatian Mixed tone

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Former East 17 member John Hendy now works as a roofer, sharing his experiences on TikTok.
  • Hendy reveals that despite the band's success, members did not earn substantial wealth, with him personally not owning a home.
  • He expresses contentment with his current life, finding perspective from wealthy friends who value experiences over material possessions.

Veฤernji List sheds light on the unexpected career path of John Hendy, once a celebrated member of the 90s boy band East 17. While many fans might imagine former pop stars living lives of luxury, Hendy's reality is far different. He now works as a roofer, a trade he pursued before his music career, and openly shares his daily life on TikTok. This candid portrayal challenges the public's perception of fame and fortune in the music industry.

People think I'm a millionaire, but I don't even have a house.

โ€” John HendyHendy expresses the discrepancy between public perception of his wealth and his actual financial situation.

Hendy's story is a stark reminder that chart success does not always translate into lasting financial security. He openly admits that even at the height of East 17's popularity, the earnings were modest, and he, unlike some bandmates, has not benefited from the royalties of their biggest hits, such as "Stay Another Day." This lack of financial reward has left him without a home of his own, a fact that contrasts sharply with the "millionaire" image fans might hold.

I don't even have a house, and people think we're millionaires. I didn't get a house out of all of that. We should have all come out of it with our housing sorted.

โ€” John HendyHendy elaborates on his financial disappointment regarding the lack of property ownership despite the band's success.

Despite these hardships, Hendy maintains a positive outlook. He finds value in his current work ethic and draws wisdom from his affluent friends, who often emphasize that experiences and personal growth are more meaningful than material wealth. His journey, from global stages to construction sites, offers a unique perspective on life, success, and the true meaning of contentment, a narrative that resonates deeply within our local context where such down-to-earth resilience is highly valued.

When I come to a party and my rich friends arrive in Porsches and Range Rovers, and I arrive in my roofing van, I think: 'Man, I hate coming to these parties.' And then they put it into perspective. They say: 'John, it's just money, it doesn't mean anything.'

โ€” John HendyHendy shares an anecdote illustrating the contrast between his life and that of his wealthy friends, highlighting a shift in his perspective on wealth.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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