NSYNC to Appear on Justin Timberlake's Upcoming Album: Everything to Know About the Reunion Rumors
Is an NSYNC reunion happening? Last year, a blind item got fans hoping for a reunion tour with Justin Timberlake and the members he left behind: Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick. While that rumor has yet to be substantiated, the the guys did, in fact, reunite at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in September 2023. After that, they released their first music together in 20 years, a song on the Trolls 3 soundtrack called "Better Place."
Now, the guys are set to appear on Timberlake's upcoming album, Everything I Thought It Was, out March 15, 2024. Is there more to come?
Here's what we know about the potential for getting the boy band back together and whether or not you should hold your breath.
Related: The Best Throwback NSYNC Videos
What does NSYNC stand for?
Honestly? Mostly nonsense and a gimmick. It's the last letter of each of the original members' first names: JustiN, ChriS, JoeY, JasoN and JC.
You'll notice that Lance Bass isn't there, and instead "Jason" is. That stands for former member Jason Galasso, who left the group before they ever performed.
Will NSYNC ever do a reunion tour?
There have been rumors, rumblings and blind items suggesting that NSYNC may have a reunion tour, but nothing has been substantiated or deemed credible as yet. On the contrary, TMZ reports that a project of that magnitude is simply not going to happen. Which squares with the fact that Timberlake is going to be touring this year on behalf of his upcoming album Everything I Thought It Was. Perhaps the guys will join him along the way?
Did NYSYNC reunite at the 2023 VMAs?
Yes! NSYNC reunited for the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 12, 2023. The group presented the award for Best Pop Video to Taylor Swift, and she was thrilled. "I'm not doing well pivoting from this to this," she said on stage while accepting the award. "I had your dolls. Are you doing something? What's going to happen now? They're going to do something and I need to know what it is."
Bass later revealed to E! News that the group was originally going to perform the song live at the VMAs, but couldn't do so without crossing a picket line.
"It was kind of bittersweet because we did have bigger plans for this song," he said. "Unfortunately, there is a SAG strike and, in solidarity with WGA and SAG, we're not able to promote the film and song. We were supposed to perform it."
Did NSYNC reunite in Trolls 3?
Musically, yes! The guys appeared on the soundtrack for Trolls 3 in a song called "Better Place," which became available to stream on Sept. 29, 2023.
Is NSYNC releasing new music?
NSYNC recorded a song called "Better Place" for the Trolls 3 soundtrack.
Timberlake posted a delightful behind-the-scenes video of the band back together in the studio to record the song.
"So many stars aligned," Timberlake said in the clip. "That's why I hit y'all, I was like, 'Hey, something came up.' If we do this song, it's a love letter to our fans. I would be honored to have the group on this song."
The band also got back together for a track called "Paradise" off Timberlake's next solo album, Everything I Thought It Was, out March 15.
Is NSYNC reuniting?
A 2023 blind item suggested that NSYNC may tour again. While that rumor remains unsubstantiated, the band has indeed reunited twice now. Once to present at the MTV Video Music Awards, and once for the Trolls 3 soundtrack. When asked if there was hope for a bigger reunion down the line, Fatone told E! News that the group would "play it by ear."
"This was honestly just to really get us reacquainted," Fatone added of "Better Place." "We haven't been together in a group for over 25 years, so to do something like this—five different personalities, five different families now you're involved with—there's a lot of different things." He said that it would take time for the members to vibe and figure out exactly where and what they want to do together musically beyond the Trolls 3 track.
Since then, they've regrouped for a track called "Paradise" off Justin Timberlake's next album, Everything I Thought It Was, out March 15.
When was the last time NSYNC performed together?
NSYNC last performed together in 2013 to mark Timberlake's Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards. Before that, it was a performance of the national anthem at the 2004 NSYNC Challenge for Children.
What happened to the NSYNC members?
Where is each member of NSYNC now? All over the place:
Justin Timberlake
We all know what happened to Justin Timberlake: He went on to be a massive multi-Grammy-winning solo star, performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show twice, and is an established film actor. He's a dad of two sons with wife Jessica Biel.
Related: Justin Timberlake's Net Worth
JC Chasez
JC Chasez, inarguably the group's best vocalist, saw his solo career stall after his debut album Schizophrenic was delayed several times, and promotion for the project came to an unfair halt after Timberlake's Super Bowl Halftime Show wardrobe malfunction with Janet Jackson. Chasez's second album, The Story of Kate, was delayed so many times it was canceled altogether. From there, he succeeded in other pursuits. He's produced and written music for artists including NSYNC rivals The Backstreet Boys, The Pussycat Dolls and more, and was a judge on America's Best Dance Crew. He's reportedly working on a musical.
Joey Fatone
Joey Fatone became an actor, with memorable turns in My Big Fat Greek Wedding and its sequels, as well as in numerous stage productions. He's been a TV staple as well, competing on Dancing with the Stars, announcing Family Feud and guest-starring in shows including Hannah Montana.
Lance Bass
Lance Bass founded a music management company, Free Lance Entertainment, in 2000, and almost went to space before a bunch of billionaire bozos made it trendy. He appeared in a slew of movies and TV shows, including Zoolander, Cursed, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and Tropic Thunder, and provided voice acting to the iconic Final Fantasy VII villain Sephiroth in Kingdom Hearts.
In 2006, Bass came out as gay after facing pressure from bloggers who threatened to out him before he was ready.
Bass has competed on several series, including My Kitchen Rules and Dancing with the Stars. He currently hosts a podcast, Frosted Tips With Lance Bass, and is pals with Britney Spears post-conservatorship.
Chris Kirkpatrick
After NSYNC disbanded, Chris Kirkpatrick fronted the rock band Nigel's 11 (shoutout to This Is Spinal Tap!) for several years. He then starred in MTV's reality series Mission Man Band, forming the boy band supergroup Sureshot with Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Bryan Williams from Color Me Badd.
Kirkpatrick has dabbled in voice acting as a pop star on The Fairly OddParents and appeared in other reality shows, including Celebrity Big Brother, Gone Country and The Masked Singer.
Related: Chris Kirkpatrick Talks Celebrity Big Brother 3
Why did Jason leave NSYNC?
Jason Galasso has said he left NSYNC because he didn't want to be seen as a heartthrob. He dropped out of the group after the first weeks of rehearsals, leading Timberlake's vocal coach to recommend Bass to fill in the bass vocal role. Galasso now lives a quiet, normal life in Florida.
Related: The Best Rock Bands of All Time
Who was the most successful member of NSYNC after the group disbanded?
As if you didn't know the answer to this. Justin Timberlake has been solidly A-list since going solo, expanding his career from music to film acting and winning a ton of Grammys, playing the Super Bowl Halftime Show (twice, if you count his Janet Jackson career-ending cameo) and more.
Is NSYNC touring again?
So far, no.
Will Justin Timberlake ever reunite with NSYNC?
In January 2021, Timberlake told The Radio Times (via The Mirror) that while he didn't plan on reuniting with NSYNC, to "never say never." The band has since reunited to present at the VMAs and for a song on the Trolls 3 soundtrack and a song off his forthcoming solo album Everything I Thought It Was, out March 15. But anything beyond that is purely speculative. Still, the door for a full-blown reunion is open, even if only a crack.
If Timberlake doesn't rejoin the group for live performances, Bass has suggested that he'd love Glee star Darren Criss to take Timberlake's place.
When did NSYNC release their last album?
NSYNC's last album, Celebrity, was released on July 24, 2001. Since then, they've released three compilation albums: Greatest Hits (Oct. 25, 2005), The Collection (Jan. 25, 2010) and The Essential *NSYNC (July 29, 2014).
What was the last song NSYNC released?
The last NSYNC single was "Girlfriend," featuring rapper Nelly. It debuted on Jan. 14, 2002. But good news: The guys are now set to release their first song in 20 years—"Better Place," from the Trolls 3 soundtrack—on Sept. 29, 2023.
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