Westlife's Mark Feehily's journey spans

Mark Feehily now has a successful career, a happy family with his gay partner and 4-year-old daughter.

In Westlife, Mark Feehily has a technical voice, specializing in impressive high notes. From a shy boy from the suburbs, Mark became a famous star and now continues his steadfast musical journey at the age of 43.

Mark Feehily shocked everyone with his gay coming out in 2005. Having gone through many difficulties, Mark now has a happy family with his partner Cailean O’Neill and a 4-year-old daughter as beautiful as an angel.

The shy boy found his passion for music from Mariah Carey and the Westlife members themselves

Mark Feehily was born in 1980 in the suburbs of Sligo, Ireland in a family with 3 brothers. Mark’s life passed quite peacefully, he used to be a shy and unremarkable character at school. Mark’s father had a huge record collection, but Mark’s life only really changed after his father asked for a discarded satellite dish, causing the TV in the house to go from having only 4 channels to 400 channels.

Suddenly, Mark’s world became more vivid thanks to television channels around the world. The male singer is a big fan of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, always singing the song I Will Always Love You all day long. Later, Mark recalled that famous diva Mariah Carey was the inspiration for him to pursue a music career. The male singer was captivated by the famous diva when she sang the song Hero. “She is gorgeous, her voice is out of this world. When I heard the song Hero for the second time, I felt something awakening inside me. If I hadn’t watched her that day sing, there probably wouldn’t be me now” – Mark confided.

Mariah Carey is the inspiration…

… for Mark to pursue music

Mark Feehily is the most successful idol fanboy when in 2000, Mariah Carey and Westlife collaborated to release the song Against All Odds. The male singer shared that this experience was like a real dream.

Mark Feehily successfully “chased an idol” and had the opportunity to sing a duet with his idol

Shane Filan and Kian Egan are also musical inspirations for Mark Feehily. When they were in middle school together, Mark admired Shane and Kian when they performed in the school musical. The opportunity came when Mark was also given a role in the musical by his teacher. Since then, they became close friends and together formed the band IOYOU (the predecessor of Westlife). Step by step, the band signed a contract with a professional record label, becoming the famous Westlife of today.

6 members of IOYOU (predecessor of Westlife)

The openly gay display shocked public opinion
At its peak, Westlife had millions of fans around the world. Girls constantly fantasize about the members, considering them the men of their dreams. Mark is no exception. He is loved for his bright handsome appearance, captivating blue eyes and radiant smile. Wherever Mark went, girls chased him and screamed for him.

But in his heart, Mark was very miserable because he was gay. The male singer had always wondered about how to come out during his youth, calling Westlife’s busy life “the perfect distraction” to forget about this problem. At that time, Mark only focused on work and kept his private life private. Fans think he doesn’t have a girlfriend because he’s too busy.

But then someone came and changed Mark’s life. That was Kevin McDaid, a member of the band V. They quickly developed feelings for each other, wanting to do things together like every other couple does. And so Mark bravely came out, as well as publicly announced his relationship with Kevin. In August 2005, Mark confided this story in an interview: “I want people to know the truth about who I really am. I’m gay and I’m proud of it. It’s just that simple.” My true self. I don’t want any pity, or to become an example. Simply because I feel this is the right time to tell the truth.”

Mark Feehily (Westlife): From a shy boy inspired by Mariah Carey

Westlife member comes out and publicly announces his relationship with Kevin McDaid

Immediately, this news dominated every front page of British media. Westlife members already knew it, so they weren’t surprised. In the autobiography Our Story, the members all agreed that Mark’s happiness was the most important, they were happy that Mark no longer had to sadly hide the secret.

Fans everywhere were shocked, but they were quick to support Mark and Kevin’s relationship. Some fans were even inspired by Mark, so they bravely announced their sexual orientation to their family. The male singer was very touched and said this was one of the proudest things in his career.

Westlife members all agree that Mark’s happiness is the most important

A perfect life now with my partner and my beautiful, angelic daughter

Unfortunately, Mark and Kevin were only together for 7 years. They officially broke up in 2012. But then Mark’s heart was happy again when he met his partner Cailean O’Neill. They dated in 2013 and got engaged in February 2019.

In July of the same year, Mark and Cailean announced that the couple became fathers through surrogacy. Little girl Layla was born in the joy and happiness of the couple and the entire Westlife family. The male singer once dreamed of becoming a father and having children running around him. Now that dream has become a reality.

Mark Feehily and Cailean O’Neill have been dating since 2013

They became fathers in 2019

Up to now, Layla is 4 years old and her two fathers often post photos on their personal pages. The girl received many compliments thanks to her angelic appearance. Mark Feehily constantly praised his daughter as the cutest and sweetest girl in the world.