Sure, it's been decades since NSYNC rocked tween girls' radios, but that doesn't mean fans have forgotten about them. After all, Justin Timberlake has made sure he's stayed relevant in his post-Mickey Mouse Club years, contributing his voice and singing talent to films like Trolls, among other projects.
But alongside Justin, bandmates Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, and Joey Fatone climbed the charts & changed the trajectory of boy bands in the United States. The thing is, longtime fans probably have no idea that the boys were keeping quite a few things under wraps.
10 NSYNC Was Meant To Be Competition For The Backstreet Boys
Recently, a special on Lou Pearlman (NSYNC's former manager) re-aired on ABC, leading fans to start Googling more about their favorite boy band of yesteryear. For those who didn't catch the special, plenty of otherwise unknown details were shared about the making of the band.
For example, Lou Pearlman intended for NSYNC to be direct competition for the Backstreet Boys. In fact, he created additional boy bands to try and expand his earnings. Remember O-Town, LFO, and Take 5? Lou even pulled Aaron Carter into the limelight, too.
9 Chris Kirkpatrick Was The Original Mastermind Behind The Group
Although Lou Pearlman offered the funds to propel NSYNC to global fame, it was originally Chris Kirkpatrick's idea to create a group. According to the 20/20 special, "The Hitman: From Pop to Prison," Chris sourced the first few band members and connected with Lou by chance.
Then, he was urged to add a fifth boy band member to round things out (more on that in a minute). Despite Justin's surge to fame following his time in NSYNC, fans should know it was Chris who set everything in motion.
8 There Were Five Of Them For A Reason
Why five band members, when Chris Kirkpatrick had a solid four to start a group? Because Lou Pearlman liked five-member groups and knew it was his money-maker. On the 20/20 episode about Pearlman, his former team members explained that it was Lou's trademark to have five guys in a group.
That way, all the fangirls could choose the guy that was 'right' for them. For example, JC Chasez was the "ethnic" member of the group, while Lance was the southern blonde.
7 Justin And The Guys Even Followed The Same Tour Route As BSB
When NSYNC first launched their group, they had a difficult time breaking into the boy band market, per 20/20. So, Lou Pearlman's then-confidante recommended a European tour that would replicate the Backstreet Boys' trajectory.
The guys toured in Germany on their "For the Girl Tour" in 1997, and they'd go on to perform in a Disney Channel concert. What's interesting is that the Backstreet Boys were originally Disney's headlining act, but they ultimately weren't available to perform, the guys explained on 20/20.
6 The Guys Never Got All The Money They Were Promised
Some fans know the story already, but it was news to many that NSYNC wasn't exactly the moneymaker the public thought it was. In fact, Lou Pearlman owed the band members millions of dollars based on their success.
But what they actually got, at a big check ceremony, were checks for $10K each, Lance explained on 20/20. The guys realized something was amiss when their paychecks were short, and that led to them cutting ties with Lou Pearlman without ever getting their cash.
5 Lance Bass Was Starstruck When He Met The Other Guys
As the fifth member of NSYNC, Lance didn't know the other guys before they formed the talented group. In fact, Lance sang in his hometown choir, he explained on 20/20, and never thought he'd have the opportunity to be part of a boy band.
But connections were made, Lance was recommended to Lou Pearlman, and he was flown to meet the other guys. Lance recalled being starstruck by Justin, in particular, who'd already mastered the stage as part of the Mickey Mouse Club (and had really cool style, Lance noted).
4 Their Style Choices Weren't Exactly With The Times
While Lance admired Justin's style when they first met, he also explained that there wasn't much guidance for the guys on their "look." When they arrived at concerts or on set, Lance explained, the guys were told to pick clothes from racks of random styles.
And while most fans have seen the memes about Justin's Top Ramen hair, Lance started the bleached ends trend out of a necessity to spice up his hairstyle when a quick cut wasn't in the cards.
3 No Strings Attached Had An Underlying Meaning
For fans who loved the "No Strings Attached" music video, complete with Barbie-sized NSYNC members breaking out of their boxes, the symbolism may have been lost. At least, it was on some younger fans.
To the guys, the entire album was the most freeing of their career. This was post-firing of Lou Pearlman, and though NSYNC broke its contract, they escaped with their dignity intact. They also came up with the idea for their album title in a cab, with JC having an "aha" moment and deciding to write the title track.
2 The Band Members Are Just Your Average Dudes These Days
In a recap of where the NSYNC band members are today, Heavy reveals that though the guys aren't necessarily forgotten stars of the '90s, they lead simple lives. Lance Bass and his husband are hoping to start a family in 2020, after many fruitless attempts at surrogacy. Everyone knows Justin Timberlake is married to Jessica Biel and has a son.
Chris Kirkpatrick has a son, Joey Fatone is divorced with two daughters, and JC Chasez hasn't had kids but is in a long-term relationship. They all pursue various creative endeavors (Chris voiced a character on Fairly Odd Parents), but they don't enter the spotlight much anymore.
1 But They Do Love A Good NSYNC Throwback
The guys have clearly grown up, and three of them are dads already. But that doesn't stop these talented guys from enjoying throwbacks to their NSYNC days, and they're not relegated to a list of '90s pop stars no one cares about.
Namely, Joey Fatone can be seen on social media sporting an "It's Gonna Be May" shirt, and JC Chasez used an old NSYNC lyric ("This I Promise You") to profess his love for longtime-girlfriend Jennifer HuYoung on social media. Just like fans aren't entirely over their boy band days, the members themselves don't seem to be, either.
