Ricky Garcia

FOR TEXAS NATIVE, RICKY GARCIA, BEING A MEMBER OF FOREVER IN YOUR MIND IS THE RESULT OF A LIFETIME SPENT PERFORMING. RICKY (BORN JANUARY 22, 1999) IS NOT ONLY A TALENTED SINGER, BUT ALSO AN AVID SURFER, RESIDENT COMEDIAN OF THE BAND, AND THE SPIRITUAL MASTER OF THE GROUP. IF HE'S NOT TEACHING HIS FOREVER IN YOUR MIND BANDMATES ABOUT THE MERITS OF POSITIVE THINKING, HE'S BUSY LAYING THE GROUNDWORK OF HIS CAREER IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HIS IDOL, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE.

by Brent Lambert @FEELguide

BELLO: Can you remember your earliest memory of performing?

RICKY: I would say my earliest memory of performing was when I was 10-years-old. I did theatre before that, but my first memory of me performing by myself was when I was in San Antonio. I was a Justin Bieber imitator, and I sang 'Baby', and most of his earlier stuff. I had the earring and the glasses -- I thought I was so cool (laughing). I was performing in the market square where everybody passes by. There's a big Mexican influence there, so that really inspired to get up on stage, and just love what I do.

BELLO: Who is your greatest musical hero right now?

RICKY: Justin Timberlake has been for my entire life. I would say it's because he's a man of many talents. He's an actor, a singer, a dancer, a writer, a producer. Everything he does in the business is something I aspire to myself.

BELLO: What was your best memory from attending this year's New York Fashion Week?

RICKY: I would say it was meeting all the amazing people. I always feel comfortable meeting new people, and going to the after parties and connecting with so many in the business was especially great.

BELLO: The next five questions are the Euphoric questionnaire, based on the title of your EP, and the title of its four songs. First up: when was the last time you felt 'Euphoric'?

RICKY: Every single day. I try to make sure I'm always feeling happy -- it's the most important feeling. I've been sad before, and I've been happy, and I enjoy being happy more than being sad. I know there will always be challenges in life, but it's important to try hard to be happy, whether it's putting your phone away or even just sitting in a park.

BELLO: This is the 'Rabbit Hole' question. Tell us what the following lyric means to you: 'I was innocent / but I know, know, know / I'm going down the rabbit hole.'

RICKY: First off, 'Rabbit Hole' came out of us just messing around in the studio. We were thinking of Alice In Wonderland, and it was the darker, more mature song on the EP. We're not as innocent as we were in our Disney past. So the lyrics portray a much deeper meaning than people might think. It's about getting older and experiencing the darker parts of life, and growing from them.

BELLO: This is the 'Night Drive' question. What's the most epic drive you've ever had in your life?

RICKY: Probably when we did the Indy 500 where we sang the national anthem. Before we went there we went to a race car event at Long Beach were we got to drive in the Indy cars as passengers. I got to go 200mph!

BELLO: This is the 'Dirty Laundry' question. Tell us a funny and embarrassing story about yourself or one of your bandmates. RICKY: I have a habit of puking before I go onstage because I get nervous. I don't throw up everytime though, but when I do it's because my nerves got the best of me.

BELLO: Here is the 'X Did' question. Did you ever break up with someone only to regret it later?

RICKY: No, I don't have any regrets. I think it's all about learning and growing. I'm a big advocate of learning from your mistakes and just moving on. If you regret things you'll never get over them. The very few relationships I've had have never really ended to the point where I regretted it.

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BELLO: Who is the funniest of the three?

RICKY: Emery. But I'm told it's me (laughing).

BELLO: Who has the best style?

RICKY: Emery.

BELLO: Who is the biggest risk-taker?

RICKY: Emery.

BELLO: Who is the most obsessed over their looks?

RICKY: Emery.

BELLO: Who gets the most homesick on the road?

RICKY: Liam.

BELLO: Who is the biggest nerd?

RICKY: Liam.

BELLO: Who is the biggest flirt?

RICKY: Probably Emery.

BELLO: What are you most excited about in the year ahead?

RICKY: I'm so excited about all of the success that I think is going to come. I'm very spiritual, so I have this feeling that something amazing is always coming soon.

BELLO: What's the #1 thing that Liam has taught you that's made you a better human being?

RICKY: To be confident, and don't care about what other people think about you. Sticking to that advice is hard sometimes, but Liam has taught me how to be comfortable in my own skin.

BELLO: What's the #1 thing that Emery has taught you that's made you a better human being?

RICKY: To be confident in who I am as well.

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Top: Soulstar Bottoms: Pink Dolphin Jacket: Laboratoire Shoes: Nike Air