The late 1990s were a true oasis for those who are fans of pop music and no one did it better than NSYNC. They were formed in 1995 by Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Joey Fatone and established their impact in Europe before making their US debut with the hit single ‘I Want You Back’ in 1997.
They went on to win 3 American Music Awards, 5 Billboard Music Awards and 7 MTV Video Music Awards, as well as 8 Grammy nominations. However, following the global success of their 2001 album Celebrity, the band went on an unexpected break – and never returned.
Why did NSYNC split up?
After the success of their 2002 tour celebrating their hit album Celebrity, the band had a short break in 2003 before reuniting in 2004 to perform the national anthem at the 2004 NSYNC Challenge for the Children.
However, production on a new album was put on hold and the band members spoke openly about the years that followed and the rifts that started to fracture the five.
“It started as a fun snowball fight that was becoming an avalanche,” Justin said of the band’s success. He also added, “And, also, I was growing out of it. I felt like I cared more about the music than some of the other people in the group. And I felt like I had other music I wanted to make and that I needed to follow my heart.”
Justin, now 42, went on to release his debut album Justified in 2002, which includes hit singles “Like I Love You” and “Cry Me a River.” He has received 10 Grammy Awards, 4 Emmy Awards (two for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics and two for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series), 9 Billboard Music Awards, and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award during his career.
However, Joey and Lance have both expressed how surprised they were by the band’s continued hiatus and how Justin failed to be transparent about his career plans.
“I said, ‘Listen, I’m all good with everybody doing their own [expletive]. I’m totally fine with it, just let us know next time.’ Meaning: I could’ve done a lot more than sit around waiting for your dumb ass while you’re going out on tour.,” Joey said to Jenny McCarthy of the years that followed.
“I could’ve, honestly. ‘Cause the minute we parted our ways in the sense of a group I was like ‘I went and did Broadway – I did Rent on Broadway, I did Little Shop of Horrors.’ I started doing things at first, I was waiting ’cause I know that when you do an album and you’re doing stuff with a group it takes a long—it’s a long process. So it was interesting. I was just like ‘Dude, just let me know next time,’ I said. ‘Cause next time I ain’t waiting for nobody.”