Joey Fatone is recalling the moment *NSYNC said bye, bye, bye to Justin Timberlake.
The former boy band member said that while they weren’t upset when Justin Timberlake left the group in 2002, there was one incident during his solo career that bothered him.
Joey recalled Justin’s first performance at the MTV Awards, saying he initially thought the whole thing was “ridiculous,” as reported by Us Weekly in the Investigation Discovery docuseries Boy Band Confidential, premiering April 13th and 14th.
He felt like management was sidelining them while still expecting them to be available to help with introductions. He expressed frustration that they were being both excluded and relied upon.
As a longtime fan, I was really interested to hear what Joey had to say about everything. He clarified that his issue wasn’t with Justin Timberlake pursuing his own music – he actually supported that! What bothered Joey, and honestly, it bothered me too, was how the people in charge at the record label handled Justin going solo. It wasn’t about Justin’s success, it was about the way things were done behind the scenes. He, along with Lance, JC, and Chris, were in the band with Justin from 1995 to 2002, and it’s clear this has been on his mind for a while.
He said it was perfectly okay, but they should have just talked to them. A simple conversation explaining they were focused on promoting Justin and his new album – and weren’t interested in *NSYNC at the moment – would have made things much easier for him.
It’s just… that’s what gets me, you know? It wasn’t like there was any real closure. No proper talk, no final moment, nothing at all! It just… ended. And it’s like everyone just pretended it hadn’t happened, like there was never a ‘goodbye’ to even acknowledge it. It’s so strange, there was absolutely nothing left after it was over, it’s just… haunting, honestly.
But that wasn’t the only time that Justin’s next chapter left a bad taste in Joey’s mouth.
He remembers discussing whether all five members of the group would appear on a televised red carpet event. Initially, it seemed like everyone was going, but it quickly became clear the record label was prioritizing Justin and limiting the other members’ involvement.
Joey clarified that he doesn’t hold Justin responsible for what happened, even if they’ve had disagreements in the past.
“It must have been very difficult to leave,” he added. “Somebody should have said something.”
For a look at *NSYNC secrets that’ll tear up your heart, read on…
When Chris Kirkpatrick, then 23 years old, wasn’t chosen to be in the Backstreet Boys – the first time Lou Pearlman successfully created a popular boy band – Kirkpatrick told Pearlman he still wanted to join a group.
Pearlman provided the funding, and Kirkpatrick took on the task of recruiting other members, which involved reviewing countless demos and videos. They discovered Justin Timberlake, a 14-year-old singer and former cast member of The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, who then suggested JC Chasez, a 19-year-old fellow Mouseketeer. As Christina Aguilera recalled to Rolling Stone, JC Chasez was the more experienced and stylish one, and Justin Timberlake looked up to him.
The search went on in Orlando, and Kirkpatrick remembered Joey Fatone, an 18-year-old he’d met while working at Universal Studios. However, they were still looking for someone with a lower vocal range.
Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys, a longtime friend of Chris Kirkpatrick, later reflected on how things fell into place. He told Pop Crush in 2015 that the Backstreet Boys had asked their manager, Lou Pearlman, to support Chris and help him pursue his musical ambitions. Pearlman ended up working with Chris, forming a group that eventually evolved into *NSYNC.
2. But Lance wasn’t the first fifth member of *NSYNC!
Let me tell you, it’s funny how things work! I recently heard from Jason Galasso, and he shared a great story about knowing both Joey Fatone and JC Chasez. Apparently, he and Joey were in high school choir together, and Joey just reached out to him out of the blue. But get this – Jason also used to run with the Mickey Mouse Club crowd! He told me on The Digital Get Down podcast back in 2019 that he used to hang out with those stars back in the day. Small world, right?
After singing “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men, he joined the group. He remembered thinking Justin was very young at the time. But once he heard Justin sing, he realized age didn’t matter – he was an incredibly talented singer.
Galasso, who now works in mortgage loans, remembers being torn at the time. He came from a background in R&B and hip-hop, but the bass singer was also part of another group called Unreal, so he was deciding which path to take.
When Pearlman played some European techno for me, I wasn’t immediately impressed, but I listened. He then joined the rest of the Unreal crew on a trip to Atlanta where we recorded a demo that he felt was really good.
At the same time, *NSYNC was developing their image and planning a performance at Disney’s Pleasure Island.
Soon, both groups were eager for his signature. Galasso explained that he consulted a lawyer, who found the deal from the trio to be fairly typical. However, the contract from Pearlman was unusually complex – almost like a phone book – and included a clause making Pearlman a sixth member of *NSYNC.
So Galasso ultimately went with the group that wasn’t *NSYNC.
The group’s name, ‘NSYNC’, actually comes from the last letters of each member’s first name: Justin, Chris, Joey, Jason, and JC. Interestingly, Justin Timberlake’s mother also remarked how well they sounded ‘in sync’!
Apparently, the other guys in *NSYNC playfully asked Lance if he’d consider changing his name slightly to fit the group’s image. This led to the temporary nickname “Lanceton.” As Lance Bass explained to EW.com in 2015, they called him that for about a year as a joke. Justin Timberlake was the first to suggest it, but the nickname didn’t last long – it faded away once they signed a record deal and became famous. They were considering either “Lanceton” or “Landon”.
After building a strong fanbase in Germany over a couple of years – and gaining attention with hits like “I Want You Back” and “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” both co-written by Max Martin – NSYNC finally caught its big break in the United States. This opportunity arose when the Backstreet Boys declined to participate in a “Disney Channel in Concert” performance, opening the door for NSYNC to shine.
NSYNC’s concert video came out in 1998, and luckily, the Disney Channel played it constantly. As Lance Bass told 20/20, “That Disney Channel concert really launched our careers. It was amazing, and I truly believe that single performance is what made us famous in America.”
The guys were all in Miami for a charity basketball game when they ordered room service before a scheduled press event. Joey Fatone was at least 15 minutes late because he was waiting for a new burger – he’d discovered someone had already taken a bite out of his! According to Justin Timberlake, as recalled on the Inside of You With Michael Rosenbaum podcast, he’d mischievously taken a bite just to prank Fatone.
“It was hilarious,” Bass said. “I’ve never seen Joey so worked up over something.” He figured Joey was likely just tired, but the team still playfully teases him about his reaction constantly.
While the argument between Fatone and Bass started over a half-eaten burger, Bass explained he wasn’t always calm himself. He told Rosenbaum that Kirkpatrick’s constant joking during numerous interviews could be irritating. Bass described Kirkpatrick as energetic and funny, but added that when someone constantly makes jokes – especially during around 20 interviews a day with multiple people – it can become exhausting.
I often found myself frustrated and wanting him to simply answer the question so we could finish the interview. He consistently made our interviews take at least twice as long as they needed to.
They got so busy that they didn’t even have time for haircuts or coloring. Bass explained that he started bleaching his own hair with his fingertips, and that’s how frosted tips came about.
Now you know.
In 2000, the members of NSYNC received diamond and platinum pendants from their manager, Johnny Wright, to celebrate their 1997 debut album selling 10 million copies – a milestone known as ‘diamond’ status. Wright had previously managed New Kids on the Block with his wife, Donna. According to Rolling Stone*, Justin Timberlake jokingly announced, “We are diamond… I’m done with the boy-band thing!”
While NSYNC ultimately became wealthy, it wasn’t automatic. Their manager, Lou Pearlman, who died in prison in 2016 while serving a 25-year sentence for fraud and money laundering, was reportedly cheating both NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys – as well as O-Town – out of their earnings.
In a 2019 interview with ABC News’ 20/20, Bass remembered that Pearlman flew them and their families to Los Angeles in 1998 for a party where each family received a $10,000 check.
Despite being in one of the world’s most popular bands and selling millions of albums, Bass found himself struggling financially – he couldn’t even afford his apartment or a car. He was so upset he tore up a check when he returned to his hotel. Kirkpatrick explained that despite their huge success, they weren’t making nearly as much money as people might think.
When NSYNC discovered their contracts gave Lou Pearlman a sixth of the group’s earnings and management fees—essentially making him a sixth member—they decided to leave their record label for Jive Records. This led to a $150 million lawsuit filed against them by TransContinental Records and BMG, the company that had distributed their first album. NSYNC countersued for $25 million, and the case was settled in 1999 for an undisclosed amount. Crucially, the settlement allowed them to continue performing and recording under the name *NSYNC.
Their second album, No Strings Attached, which came out in March 2000 and was a huge success, was surprisingly full of hidden meanings.
The phrase “No Strings Attached” became the central idea for the project, inspired by the song “I’ve Got No Strings” from Disney’s Pinocchio, as Kirkpatrick explained to 20/20. It represented their feeling of freedom: they didn’t feel indebted to anyone and were focused solely on each other and their fans.
Chasez first gained recognition winning a talent show in seventh grade with a performance of Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting.” Later, Marx went on to write and produce “I Promise You” for the group No Strings. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Chasez described the album as energetic and dynamic, noting that no vocals are delivered passively. He specifically pointed to a noticeable influence from Michael Jackson in the rhythmic way the lyrics are delivered – a style where phrases are often cut short and emphasized.
Look, let’s be real. There’s definitely frustration there. We feel overlooked, like our contributions haven’t been fully appreciated. I was joking around when I said that ‘angry white boys’ bit – it was a way to acknowledge the tension, but I didn’t mean it literally. It’s about wanting to be recognized for our work, honestly.
Throughout much of the album’s creation, the artists felt disconnected from their record labels. They were dissatisfied with TransContinental and hadn’t yet fully settled at Jive Records, which was also home to rising stars like Britney Spears – whose relationship with Justin Timberlake was an open secret – and the Backstreet Boys.
No Strings Attached sold 2.4 million copies in its first week out, including 1.1 million on day one.
A year later, Jackson joined NSYNC on stage—first at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, briefly appearing as they finished their performance of “Pop” and exciting the audience even without singing—and then properly with them days later for a performance of “Dancing Machine” at the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration*. This two-day concert at Madison Square Garden was broadcast on CBS in November.
In 2016, on The Meredith Vieira Show, Bass shared that Jackson stopped speaking to him for a year after a concert at Madison Square Garden. The issue arose because Jackson asked Bass and Fatone to stay until the end of the show for a performance of “Heal the World,” explaining it was “for the children.” Bass unintentionally laughed, and Jackson, who was completely serious, took offense.
After finding financial success, the band members naturally began to enjoy their earnings. In March 2000, Justin Timberlake made his first major purchases: a Mercedes and a BMW M Roadster. By the next year, he’d added a Dodge Viper, Audi TT, Porsche 911, and Cadillac Escalade to his collection. Kevin Richardson bought a black Cadillac truck and also homes and cars for his family. Several members, including Joey Fatone, purchased homes in Orlando, and Chris Kirkpatrick bought a house for his mother. AJ McLean expanded his real estate holdings with properties in Orlando, Mississippi, and along the Florida-Alabama border.
Justin Timberlake described his Orlando home as having a distinct style. He mentioned a white grand piano, a white couch, and a tapestry depicting knights, along with a clear acrylic statue of a nude couple given to him by a friend. He has a game room decorated in a tropical style, which they call the ‘Jimmy Buffett’ room, and a country kitchen that evokes his childhood. The bedroom has a safari theme, complete with a Japanese screen and a large sleigh bed.
The next year, Chasez shared his newfound passion for red wine and mentioned he’d spent $2,500 on a book of photographs by Helmut Newton.
Around the year 2000, shortly before NSYNC’s album No Strings Attached was released, Justin Kirkpatrick was in a relationship that had lasted about a year before the band became internationally famous. That relationship didn’t last, and he later married Karly Skladany in 2013. They had been together for three years, and all of his former NSYNC bandmates attended the wedding.
Timberlake continued to downplay his relationship with Spears, calling her “a good friend” and telling Rolling Stone that he preferred to keep any romantic life private. He stated that if he ever did become romantically involved with someone, he believed it should remain a personal matter.
Before marrying Michael Turchin in 2014, Lance Bass dated actress Danielle Fishel, even taking her to prom. He publicly came out as gay in 2006.
Fatone and Kelly Baldwin had an on-again, off-again relationship since 1993, but they were together when their daughter, Briahna, was born in March 2001. They married in 2004 and later welcomed another daughter, Kloey Alexandra, in 2010. The couple separated in 2019.
Chasez often dated, and in 2001, his girlfriend Bobbie Thomas was inspired to start a blog after seeing how the media covered Britney Spears. Despite having relationships, he’s generally kept his personal life very private. He publicly revealed his relationship with Jennifer HuYoung with a Valentine’s Day Instagram post in 2019.
As a long-time fan, it was fascinating to see what everyone did after NSYNC! By 2000, Justin Bass was already building his Freelance Management, really focused on helping country music artists get their start. Justin Timberlake, always generous, started his own foundation to support music and arts programs in public schools, which I thought was amazing. JC Chasez was busy producing for the girl group Wild Orchid, and Chris Kirkpatrick was diving into fashion and music production with his company, Fuman Skeeto. They were all so driven and creative, even while NSYNC was still huge!
Ignoring the enthusiastic young fans, they weren’t deliberately trying to be overly cute to attract children and their mothers.
In a 2000 interview with Rolling Stone, Justin Timberlake explained that the group doesn’t try to project a certain image. ‘We’re just being ourselves,’ he said. ‘We’re guys, and we act like it – we burp and fart, just like any other boys.’
Kirkpatrick saw himself as the ultimate “guy’s guy” within the group. In a 2001 interview with Rolling Stone, he described himself as if a group of college friends had collaborated to create a wild and unconventional person – and that person was him.
The writer portrayed Bass as exceptionally kind, down-to-earth, and patient, even describing him as strikingly handsome – almost feminine – and always smiling. In contrast, Chasez was known for being very different offstage than when performing; he was quiet and unassuming, easily overlooked.
Fatone was a lively and energetic person, always seeming ready to burst into fun and excitement, like a playful whirlwind.
During a rehearsal in New Orleans in 2001, a stage platform unexpectedly rose, trapping Joey Fatone’s leg between it and the stage. While he didn’t break any bones, the accident severely exposed the muscle and tissue in his lower leg.
Bass described a severe injury, telling Rolling Stone that there was a hole exposing the bone in the person’s leg. He explained they immediately applied pressure to the wound, but fat tissue was visibly coming out. Despite being able to tolerate pain well, the injured person screamed from the intensity. It appeared as though a bullet had passed completely through their leg.
Chasez explained that the injured person had to go to the hospital after getting his leg stuck between two metal objects. Doctors had to remove a portion of his leg and clean out the metal fragments. Chasez was amazed he didn’t suffer any broken bones, calling him a remarkably resilient young man.
You know, it was amazing to see Joey Fatone back on stage just a few weeks after needing a cane to get around! He was dancing again, and honestly, it spoke volumes about his dedication. As Justin Chasez pointed out, Joey’s definitely still feeling the pain, but he’s a true performer. He’s mastered the art of working through it – years of experience mean he knows exactly how to adjust his movements and deliver a fantastic show, even when things aren’t perfect. It’s a testament to his showmanship, really.
Looking back, NSYNC actually had a pretty mild time in the spotlight. The group members acknowledge they enjoyed themselves, but they weren’t known for causing trouble, and scandal rarely followed them. Justin Timberlake, for example, preferred a simple Jack and Coke and often volunteered to be the designated driver. He explained to Rolling Stone* that he was conscious of his influence, saying, “If a 12-year-old saw me arrested for cocaine use, that would impact a lot of people.” He recalled being deeply upset as a child when he discovered his sister drinking, and added that he could easily have fun with just water.
19. Fame hadn’t come overnight, but once it did, it was a whole new world.
Bass explained to Rolling Stone that people often don’t understand how much effort goes into the entertainment industry, and it’s not as exciting as it seems. He compared it to discovering the unglamorous reality behind the magic – like seeing Cinderella smoking a cigarette in the backstage tunnels of Disney World, which ruins the illusion.
Timberlake shared that he’s faced some difficult times and experienced periods of depression. He credits his faith with helping him cope. He describes feeling like he has two sides: the public persona people see and the more private, everyday person he is. He feels these two sides are currently in a good place, even though his personal side doesn’t always get the focus, he believes it’s important to nurture.
Fatone explained that it’s best not to reveal too much information. He felt that sharing something unknown that might disappoint fans could be hurtful.
If anyone thought *NSYNC was just a group of individuals who randomly found success, they’d be mistaken. The group was a cohesive unit, and their success wasn’t accidental.
Back in 2001, while appearing on CNN’s Larry King Live, Kirkpatrick explained that the group’s strong friendship was evident in their performances. He said their close connection led to unique and spontaneous shows, filled with playful interaction and joking around with each other.
When King pointed out that band members often have personal conflicts, Timberlake responded that their connection is exceptional. He explained that during last summer’s tour, he and Chris had a deep understanding – a single look could convey volumes, and they instinctively knew what the other meant because of their long history together.
The band explored their anxieties about fame and public scrutiny in their third album, Celebrity, released in 2001.
By that time, Timberlake and Spears were publicly a couple – he described her to Rolling Stone as his everything, saying she made him incredibly happy and felt like a lifesaver. Bass agreed, noting they seemed like a perfect match. Meanwhile, the group was earning around $2.5 million per night on their PopOdyssey tour.
In a 2000 interview with Rolling Stone, Justin Timberlake discussed the rise of boy bands, predicting that “the next few years will show who’s truly talented.” He also expressed concern that there were simply too many groups competing for attention.
Well, the other boy bands wouldn’t have to worry about it for long.
In 2002, after finishing their Celebrity Tour, *NSYNC took what was called a “temporary break.” The main reason was to allow Justin Timberlake to pursue a solo career, and it ended up being permanent. Despite this, the group never officially announced they were breaking up.
Chasez explained to the Huffington Post in 2019 that after doing something for a while, you naturally fall into a routine and start craving new challenges. He said that the group felt they’d explored every possibility with their existing work and were ready for a change, which is exactly what they pursued. He had released a solo hit, “Blowin’ Me Up (With Her Love),” that same year.
Bass explained that he and the other band members didn’t have any personal issues. What really upset him was learning Justin had left the band – and that everyone else, including the record label and management, had known about it for three years before telling him.
For three years, I was working on a new album while everyone around me thought we were finished with that phase and moving forward.
After NSYNC disbanded as its members pursued individual careers, Justin Timberlake achieved significant success as a solo artist. He released his debut album, Justified*, in November 2002 and continued to focus on his own work. However, the reason the other band members didn’t attend his wedding to Jessica Biel in Italy in 2012 wasn’t related to his success; it was something else entirely.
So could their reunion performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards have been more hyped?!
Oh my gosh, it was brief, but absolutely perfect! They hadn’t lost a single step, it was like they never left! And can you believe it? That was just the beginning – the first of so many amazing moments to come! I knew it, I just knew they’d be back!
Looking back on why he stayed closeted during his time with NSYNC, Lance Bass explained at the group’s 2018 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony that he was afraid of being rejected, and even more worried about harming the careers of his bandmates and the many people who worked hard to make NSYNC successful.
I worried that revealing I was gay would end *NSYNC, so I kept it hidden. We were living our dream and I’m still grateful for that. But seeing so many young, gay fans passionately singing along during our shows, I desperately wanted them to know I was one of them. I just didn’t feel strong enough to share that then. I do now, and I want to proudly say to all my LGBTQ+ family, who have supported and inspired me to be my true self: thank you.
It’s likely he’s found a lot more support since being open about who he really is. And anyone who stopped being a fan probably wasn’t worth having as a fan anyway.
Read More
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: 50 Easter Eggs, References & Major Cameos Explained
- 10 Best Free Games on Steam in 2026, Ranked
- All 13 Smash Bros. Characters in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie
- Sydney Sweeney’s The Housemaid 2 Sets Streaming Release Date
- Dune 3 Gets the Huge Update Fans Have Been Waiting For
- Why is Tech Jacket gender-swapped in Invincible season 4 and who voices her?
- Control Resonant’s Hiss and Mold Are “Way More Complex” Than Before (and More Aggressive)
- Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun season 4 release schedule: When are new episodes on Crunchyroll?
- TV legend Carol Kirkwood reveals the reasons why she decided to retire after 28 years with BBC
- Highly Anticipated Strategy RPG Finally Sets Release Date (And It’s Soon)
2026-04-08 20:50