*NSYNC have urged fans to be aware of online imposters pretending to be members of the band in internet chat rooms, warning they could be perverts.
It's been reported that imposters have offered to meet with fans on their website, offering them concert tickets, raising concerns for fans' safety.
In a statement on their official website, *NSYNC state: We worry that their web chat room messages are part of a plan to lure our fans to show up alone in isolated places, where our fans are told they will meet us or will meet someone who will take them to us.
We hate to think what might happen to one of you if you fall for these fakers.
The *NSYNC team have insisted they would never use internet chat rooms to sell tickets or arrange 'meet and greets'.
They warn: At worst, they are perverts trying to get something precious from you by promising something from us. Don't fall for it.

From Dotmusic

BRITNEY TO MARRY JUSTIN? (Fri. Aug 31, 2001)

Britney Spears is reported to have agreed to marry her pop star boyfriend Justin Timberlake. The Princess of Pop, 19, is said to have accepted the *NSYNC star's proposal of marriage, which happened last month. The pair, who have been living together for a number of months in Spears' Hollywood mansion, are thought to have agreed to get engaged at a recent recording session for their forthcoming duet in Florida. Speculative details in The Sun newspaper from an 'insider' have claimed that Britney's mother Lynne has been sworn to secrecy, but told a US magazine: "All I can say is that they're both very happy. And I am too." Timberlake, 20, is reported to have borrowed a ring to complete the engagement. A 'studio insider' said: "He borrowed one of his mother's rings and gave it to Britney. "It was a little tight, so she's wearing it around her neck for now. They have a jeweller in mind in Chicago they want to work with and Britney wants to design a ring specially."

From Dotmusic

NSYNC PULL JACKSON GIG (Fri. Aug 24, 2001)

*NSYNC have pulled out of their planned performance with the Jackson brothers at the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Celebration citing scheduling conflicts. 'NSYNC were to be amongst the all-star cast lining up to pay tribute to Jackson and were expected to perform a version of 'Dancing Machine' at Madison Square Garden on September 7. Other performers taking part include Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Missy Elliott and Nelly Furtado. The producer of the tribute show, David Gest, said: "Due to scheduling conflicts, Michael Jackson and 'NSYNC will not have time to rehearse the 'Dancing Machine' number with the Jacksons in the way Michael planned to present it." "The two schedules just conflict, and 'NSYNC will not be in New York prior to that," he went on. "Michael looks forward to working with 'NSYNC in the future, as he is a very big fan of the group." However, the Jackson 5 will still perform 'Dancing Machine' along with a host of other classics, reuniting onstage for the first time in 15 years. Other performers will include Aaron Carter, Whitney Houston and Chris Rock whilst introductions will come from the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Shaquille O'Neal and Samuel L. Jackson.

From Dotmusic

PRINCE AND PRINCESS GO POP (Thu. Aug 9, 2001)

More details have emerged about the collaboration between Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, Pop's premier couple. As previously reported on dotmusic, the teenage duo have been in the studio working together, with an end product now seemingly in the can. Rich Travali, who is mixing the track, explained the pair had laid down "a very aggressive" song, written with their choreographer Wade Robson, who also produces. Travali told MTV: "It's a slick pop thing, very aggressive. It sounds really hot." Travali, who has worked with the likes of Nelly and the St. Lunatics, would not reveal the title of the track, but said it was set to feature on Britney's new album, due in November.

From Dotmusic

N'SYNC TOP THEMSELVES (Thu. Aug 9, 2001 )

Despite recording the second highest first week sales ever with 'Celebrity', N'Sync's reign at the top of the US charts has come to an abrupt end after just one week and they've only got themselves to blame. Sales of the boyband's latest album fell by almost 1.5 million on the previous week and they were overthrow by the compilation Now That's What I Call Music! 7 that features Janet Jackson, the Backstreet Boys, Destiny's Child, and ironically N'Sync. Also new in the US album charts this week is hip-hop deity Snoop Dogg and the Eastsidaz who debut at No.3 with their second album, 'Duces N' Trayz' and rising R&B star Blu Cantrell edged into the top ten with first album, 'So Blu'. Albums from Alicia Keys, Staind, D12, Linkin Park, Destiny's Child, and P. Diddy all hold their Top 10 positions. Usher plans to challenge for the top spot next week as his delayed third album, '8701', finally hits the shops.

From Dotmusic

Fatone Back 'N Sync (Aug 8, 2001)

'N Sync's Joey Fatone was sidelined by pneumonia for the group's August 5th show in San Antonio, Texas. Fatone's bought of bronchitis developed into pneumonia, and the singer was hospitalized on Saturday but has since been released. He is expected to get back onstage with his 'N Sync (news - web sites) brethren tonight for a show in Birmingham, Alabama. 'N Sync manager Johnny Wright broke the news to fans in San Antonio informing them that Fatone would not take the stage. But Chris Kirkpatrick gave Fatone a call during the show letting him hear all the well-wishers in the crowd. Meanwhile all of 'N Sync had to sit out a show in Miami on August 2nd because of the tropical storm that passed through the city damaging part of the group's computerized lighting system. The group will not reschedule that date, but instead refund fans.

From Rolling Stone

OUT OF SYNC (Tue. Aug 7, 2001)

*NSYNC's Joey Fatone was forced to pull-out of a show at the weekend, after being hospitalised with pneumonia. Fatone missed the group's concert in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday evening, but received a phone call from his hospital bed from the rest of the band as they performed. Fatone, who was released from a Florida hospital on Monday afternoon, was admitted on Saturday afternoon, after developing pneumonia from a bout of bronchitis. He is expected to return to the stage for *NSYNC's next show, which takes place in Alabama this evening. Midway through Sunday's show, Chris Kirkpatrick phoned Fantone from the stage, to send the best wishes of the group and the thousands of fans at the show.

From Dotmusic

'NSYNC's Fatone Misses Show Because Of Pneumonia (Mon. Aug 6, 2001)

'NSYNC's Joey Fatone was hospitalized over the weekend with a minor case of pneumonia. As a result, he missed the group's Sunday show in San Antonio, Texas — though his bandmates gave him a call from the stage. Monday afternoon, tour spokesperson Benny Tarantini announced that Fatone had been released from a Florida hospital. He added that 'NSYNC hoped their missing colleague would be back onstage for their next show, scheduled for Tuesday night (August 7) in Birmingham, Alabama.

Fatone was admitted to the hospital Saturday afternoon with pneumonia, which developed from a bout with bronchitis, Tarantini said. 'NSYNC manager Johnny Wright took the stage at San Antonio's Alamodome on Sunday to inform fans that Fatone would not be appearing alongside bandmates Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick and Justin Timberlake. Later, Kirkpatrick phoned Fatone from the stage, holding up a red cell phone while fans shouted, "We love you, Joey!" Kirkpatrick thanked fans on Fatone's behalf. Fatone was also sidelined for some of the dancing segments of the "Pop" video shoot because of a leg injury earlier this year. The singer's illness comes at an otherwise top-of-the-world time for 'NSYNC. The band has assumed the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart after selling 1.88 million copies of Celebrity in a week. The album's first-week sales outshone those of every SoundScan-era album except their own No Strings Attached from last year.

'NSYNC's scheduled concert in Miami last Thursday was postponed due to Tropical Storm Barry.

From MTV

*NSYNC BREAK RECORDS (Thu. Aug 2, 2001 )

*Nsync's new album, 'Celebrity', has become the second fastest selling album ever, being kept from claiming the "fastest ever" title by their own 'No Strings Attached'. After seven days on sale in America, 'Celebrity' hit the number one spot in the USA and sold more copies in a week than the combined sales of every other record in the top 10. 'Celebrity' has shifted 1,879,955 copies, nine times more than number two album, Alicia Keyes' 'Songs In A Minor'.

From Dotmusic

"Celebrity" Sales Don't Beat Record (Aug. 2, 2001)

*Nsync (news - web sites) had blockbuster first-week sales of their new disc ``Celebrity,'' but they still couldn't top a record by some formidable competitors - themselves. ``Celebrity'' sold 1.88 million copies, second best to the first-week sales of 'N Sync's ``No Strings Attached,'' which sold 2.4 million in its debut week last year. ``No Strings Attached'' is still the record-holder for the best sales debut. Eminem (news - web sites) had been No. 2 with last year's 1.7 million week-opener of ``The Marshall Mathers LP,'' but 'N Sync's latest drops him to No. 3. ``Celebrity'' is the third album from the five-member boy band.

From AP

'NSync's Celebrity Expected To Sell 2 Million In Week One (Wed. Aug 1, 2001)

If early sales estimates are accurate, 'NSync should have no problem coming close to matching the first week sales of its record-breaking last album, No Strings Attached. The pop group's 2000 album debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 with sales of an astonishing 2.4 million, which set the record for the most albums sold in the first week of release (allstar, March 29, 2000). At the time, 'NSync more than doubled the previous record of 1.13 million set by the Backstreet Boys' Millennium in 1999. Now, the Tuesday (July 24)-released Celebrity, 'NSync's third studio album (fourth if counting the Christmas album), is projected to be in the neighborhood of the 2 million mark, according to Billboard Bulletin. First day sales.

From Allstart

THIS IS 'POP' MUSIC (Wed. Aug 1,2001 )

Although Westlife, Backstreet Boys, Boyzone, the Spice Girls et al may try to disagree, *NSYNC are the biggest pop group in the world. Sales figures for their last album, 'No Strings Attached', sit proudly in the record book as the fastest selling long-player of all time, and the band are even hoping to better them with their current long-player. 'Celebrity', featuring the unusually inventive single 'Pop', is threatening to set a new benchmark for album sales, and the band celebrated in LA last week at the official launch party. Not only were the band there, but so was Justin Timberlake's girlfriend, the Princess of Pop Britney Spears, Playboy legend High Hefner, and, of course, dotmusic's roving reporter. He asked the band why they'd called the album 'Celebrity' and if they considered themselves to be as high-brow as some of their guests and others in the world of pop culture. Justin replied: "I think that is why we chose the title, because we didn't really look at ourselves that way, so we thought it was kind of funny." Chris Kirkpatrick continued: "We are just having fun and this is a great night. We're just trying to set it up around the celebrity theme and keep it. It's going to be cool."

From Dotmusic

Rolling Stone and 'N Sync Make History ((Wed. Aug 1,2001 )

Rolling Stone magazine is publishing six separate, simultaneous covers of the world's biggest band, 'N Sync, to coincide with the release of their new album, Celebrity. It marks the first time in the pop culture magazine's 34 years that it has celebrated a band in this manner. Five of the covers feature "Brady-esque" portraits of the members of `N Sync, which will travel to newsstands, supermarkets, bookstores and other destinations where single copies are sold. The sixth cover is a limited edition group shot of the band available exclusively to subscribers. "We decided on vibrant, candy-colored backgrounds to project the hyper energy of pop art and music that makes their fans so crazy about them," says Fiona McDonagh, Rolling Stone's photography editor. All of the photos were shot by RS chief photographer Mark Seliger, who managed to get the guys fired up despite being exhausted from a round of sold-out shows at Giants Stadium. "Mark is always able to get great expressions from his subjects," says McDonagh. Rolling Stone has partnered with ABC Radio Network affiliates across the country to offer listeners a unique opportunity to win collector sets containing all 6 covers. These covers go on sale Friday, July 27, 2001.

From Industry News

'NSYNC To Top Chart With 1.88 Million Celebritys Sold (August 1, 2001)

*NSYNC will barnstorm the Billboard 200 albums chart next week after selling 1.88 million copies of Celebrity -first-week sales surpassing those of every SoundScan-era album except their own No Strings Attached. Celebrity sold nearly 10 times as many copies as next week's #2 album, Alicia Keys' Songs in A Minor, which moved an otherwise impressive 202,000 units.

"All that stuff, we really don't take it into consideration," Timberlake said. "We wanna stick around for longer than the first week." No Strings Attached sold 2.4 million copies its first week out in March 2000. It broke the previous SoundScan record set by Backstreet Boys' Millennium, which sold 1.1 million copies when it debuted in 1999. BSB sold 1.6 million copies of Black & Blue its first week last year. Among next week's higher debuts will be Violator the Album: V2.0, featuring Busta Rhymes' "What It Is," at #10 and Cake's Comfort Eagle, which includes the surprise video hit "Short Skirt/Long Jacket," at #13. Singer/songwriter Neil Diamond's first new album in five years, Three Chord Opera, will debut at #15, while Arizona emo heroes Jimmy Eat World's Bleed American will land at #54. The rest of the top 10 will consist of D12's Devils Night at #3, Staind's Break the Cycle at #4, Aaliyah at #5, Destiny's Child's Survivor at #6, P. Diddy's The Saga Continues at #7, Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory at #8 and Jagged Edge's Jagged Little Thrill at #9. Beyond Celebrity, the sales news was mixed on the teen-pop front. LFO's Life Is Good will jump a full 20 spots next week, from #95 to #75, while Mandy Moore will hop from #109 to #93. Jessica Simpson's Irresistible will continue to slide, slipping from #51 to #64 and Willa Ford's Willa Was Here will plunge from #56 to #76 in its second week on the chart. No Strings Attached itself will see some chart movement next week, skipping from #110 to #95.

From MTV

*NSYNC, Missy Elliott To Perform At Video Music Awards (July 31,2001)

*NSYNC and Missy Elliott have been added to the list of performers for the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, the network announced Tuesday. The pair of pop superstars — whose latest albums are Celebrity and Miss E ... So Addictive, respectively — join previously announced performers U2 and Alicia Keys. More additions to the roster are expected shortly. Fatboy Slim tops the list of VMA nominees with nine nods for the Spike Jonze-directed clip "Weapon of Choice," which features a fleet-footed Christopher Walken (see "Video Music Awards Nominations: Fatboy Slim, Missy Elliott, 'NSYNC, 'Lady Marmalade' Lead The Pack"). The 18th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast on MTV from New York's Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center September 6 at 8 p.m. (live ET/tape delayed PT).

From MTV

*NSYNC Seek To Impress With Skills, Not Sales (July 30,2001 )

PASADENA, California .-When they were making Celebrity, 'NSYNC weren't fretting about how to follow up a sales record they were too busy staking out a new sound to carry them into a future far beyond first-week figures, says Justin Timberlake. And besides, he said, it's just the economy that's to blame if the album's opening week comes shy of the 2.4 million copies No Strings Attached sold last year in its first week on shelves. "People probably don't think we think about this kind of stuff, but if you really wanna get technical about it, the whole country, the economy, is down 15 percent," Timberlake said Tuesday. "So if you put the calculations in to sell somewhere between one-sixth and one-eighth [fewer albums this time], that would be the equivalent of selling 2.4 when the economy was a little bit stronger. But all that stuff, we really don't take it into consideration. ... "We wanna stick around for longer than the first week." Industry insiders predict that Celebrity will sell about 2 million copies in its first week, enough to beat out the second-best sales mark held by Eminem, whose The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) sold 1.76 million copies in its first week (see "'NSYNC Likely To Outsell Everyone But Themselves"). As they've progressively done with each album, 'NSYNC took greater control in the studio this time around and ended up writing the bulk of the disc's material — a result, Timberlake said, of overcoming any lingering insecurities by realizing their competence as producers and songwriters. "It's one thing to go and write a song, but it's a whole other thing to go in and be turning knobs that you don't know what they mean, and now we know what they mean," said the singer, who also assumed lead writing duties on more than half of the album's tracks. "That's big to us, and that just comes with experience." But it wasn't easy trying to finish the album while planning PopOdyssey, one of the most elaborate concert tours in history, JC Chasez said. "It's been a roller coaster ride. ... The last record, even though we had a lot of adversity or whatever, it was one thing at a time. You record the record, you promote it, you go out on tour, you breathe for a second. This [was] everything at once." 'NSYNC — whose lineup also includes Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick and Joey Fatone — enlisted some unlikely collaborators to bring new styles to their sound, including electronica producer BT and red-hot duo the Neptunes, whose hip-hop-heavy résumé includes hits by Mystikal and Ol' Dirty Bastard. BT, who helmed the boards for Celebrity's first single, "Pop," said he was hesitant about working with 'NSYNC when Timberlake approached him last fall. "At first I thought, because our music is sort of polar opposites, it wouldn't really make sense," he said. "But Justin called me one night and said, 'Dude, we want to do a track like "The Hip Hop Phenomenon" from the U.K. version of [your] album,' and I was like, 'If you wanna do something that punk-rock, I'll do it.'" 'NSYNC enlisted the Neptunes for "Girlfriend," in which Timberlake, ever the heartbreaker, sings lyrics right out of a million female fans' dreams: "Why don't you be my girlfriend/ I'll treat you good." The guys return to familiar terrain with "Tell Me, Tell Me ... Baby" (courtesy of teen-pop hitmaker Max Martin) and "Just Don't Tell Me That" but do the two-step on "The Two of Us" and "Up Against the Wall." There are also frequent shifts into R&B, including the spare "Gone," and collaborations with Motown legend Stevie Wonder and urban-soul crooner/producer Brian McKnight. Timberlake said he was dead set on enlisting Wonder after coming up with the harmonica part for "Something Like You" with songwriting partner Robin Wiley. "I said, 'We have to get him to do it.' I mean, that's the other thing that he's famous for — besides his incredible voice, he's killer on the harp. Somehow the record company got a hold of him and it just worked out. He came in and it definitely was a surreal moment. I was sitting at the board, and he's sitting in the booth playing the part." The group has not yet picked the album's second single. "We'll listen to the fans and see which ones they like," Bass said. "It's hard to pick because everything is so different," Chasez added. After all its experimenting, Celebrity ends rather humbly, with the graceful "Do Your Thing." "They were looking for something that could conclude the record and showcase that they are really great singers and they have amazing harmony," said Paul "PDA" Allen, who co-produced the song with his PAJAM partner J. Moss (Sisqó, Babyface). "A lot of people think that these guys are just an assembled boy band, but they really studied their craft," Moss said. "In the studio, they show you that they are all true, talented singers."

From MTV

Britney Writing Songs With Justin For New Album (Fri. Jul 27, 2001)

Justin Timberlake is really earning his keep as Britney Spears' boyfriend.

Not only is he escorting her to parties and introducing her to hip music makers like BT, but the 'NSYNC star is also writing music with her and "Pop" co-author Wade Robson for her forthcoming album. "We're just vibing — having a good time, you know," Robson said of the songwriting trio. "We've got this one song that's this rock kind of opera thing. It's almost got this classical vibe, almost like Queen redone. And we've got another one that's kind of more vibey R&B." Spears' spokesperson at Jive Records did not return calls about the tracks. The label has not commented on the as-yet-untitled album, except to give a tentative release date of November 6.

Robson, who has choreographed tours for 'NSYNC and Spears and co-wrote other songs with Timberlake for Celebrity, is directing Spears' fall tour, which he said will kick off the second week of October. "It's going to be a massive show," Robson said Monday at a release party for Celebrity in Los Angeles. "It'll be a sexy show. It's again really theatrical, a lot of acting in it, massive set pieces. Her music is the same thing — it has also really grown. There's a lot of rock vibe to it." Robson said the show will feature about eight dancers and will include several costume and set changes.

From MTV

*NSYNC - CELEBRITY (JIVE) (Wed 25 Jul 2001 )

Good boys *NSYNC. As the verbose thank-you's on 'Celebrity' reveal, they're all God-fearing lads who love their mothers. Bless. And, judging by the photos inside the sleeve, they're not too high and mighty these days that they've forgotten what it's like to do their own grocery shopping, or to flip burgers for a living. "...like admiring the gleaming front end of a brand new Porsche, only to lift up the bonnet to discover a lawnmower engine puttering and sputtering away inside." Justin, JC, Chris, Lance and Joey are talented geezers too. Oh yes. They may all sound like Michael Jackson on helium but they do it very well and their harmonies are erm, digitally perfect. And, thanks to their wise choice in producers - for this follow-up to 'No Strings Attached' they've enlisted BT, The Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins and Rami to name but a few - their R&B pop maintains a slick, futuristic edge. Which brings us to the album. Sure to sell by the truck load, 'Celebrity' does have it's moments. Sadly both of them are at the beginning. The BT-produced, funkylicious, rock-riffed defiance of 'Pop' is one of the best singles you'll hear all year. The title track meanwhile, is a low-key, funksome, two step slither. "Would you be so into me, if I wasn't a celebrity?" ask the vulnerable, sensitive lads amidst the click and whirr of cameras. Wouldn't press for an answer on this one chaps. Might not be what you want to hear. From then on though, 'Celebrity' settles down to formulaic, less-than-meaty balladeering and the odd glimmer of upbeat hope. It's mostly the aural equivalent of admiring the gleaming front end of a brand new Porsche, only to lift up the bonnet to discover a lawnmower engine puttering and sputtering away inside. 'The Game Is Over' offers Pac-Man samples tacked onto a groove not unlike Destiny's Child's 'Bug A Boo', 'Girlfriend' - produced by The Neptunes and featuring Pharrell Williams of N*E*R*D - is a slinky, sparse and passable, pleasant enough soul ballad. 'The Two Of Us' and 'Selfish' are smoochy, smaltzy summery ballads, 'Up Against The Wall' -Justin and Britney at it perhaps- is another two step flavoured disco dancer and 'Something Like You' is yet another boy-loves-girl ballad, this time featuring subtle, Stevie Wonder harmonica. What Stevie is doing on here and why he's not making his own records is a mystery. The sad fact though, is that these five fresh-faced dancers in sharp suits would no doubt outsell Wonder's genius by staggering amounts. 'Celebrity' is good enough that girls won't be ripping their *NSYNC posters off the wall just yet. But in the main, the album which some have claimed would redefine pop music, is largely underwhelming.

From Dotmusic

JUSTIN AND BRITNEY GET IT ON (Wed. Jul 25, 2001)

Justin Timberlake has admitted he wants to record a duet with Princess of Pop girlfriend Britney Spears. *NSYNC's Timberlake has confirmed that he expects he and Spears to collaborate in the future, suggesting the work would be "huge". He told 'Rolling Stone' he was guiding Britney away from straightforward pop and towards a more radical sound. "I want it to be something new that they haven't heard us do, that they didn't think we could do," he explained. "I feel like we still have artistic growth to show, and maybe after that, then I'll think about it. It definitely would be a spectacle. It would be huge", claimed Timberlake.

From Dotmusic

*Nsync Releases 'Celebrity' (July 24, 2001)

The boys from 'N Sync (news - web sites) are trying to prove they're more than the flavor of the month with their new release Celebrity. Member Chris Kirkpatrick insists they have moved beyond bubblegum pop saying, "We're rockers too, we're rappers, we're hip-hop artists." If the hottest boy band says pop is getting stale, maybe it is. Members of 'N Sync say it's time to change or die — or become self-parody, tomorrow's Monkeys crooning "Daydream Believer" at carnivals. With the much anticipated follow-up to No Strings Attached hitting record stores today, 'N Sync is promising that Celebrity will surprise folks expecting to hear reworked renditions of their smash hit "Bye Bye Bye." "The bubblegum pop that everybody's listening to is dying out and people are gettin' tired of it, because there's only so much of it they can take," says member Chris Kirkpatrick. "But the rock 'n' roll's coming back and y'know, it's important for us to learn about music and not just say, 'well, we're just a pop singing group.'" The quintet hunkered down for their new recording, writing 10 of the 13 tracks with a greater emphasis on R&B and other music styles. "Y'know, we're rockers, too," says Kirkpatrick. "We're rappers, we're hip-hop artists. We envelop every kind of music that we hear and take out the best of it and I think that's why people catch on to us." 'There's Really a Lot of Pressure' The release of Celebrity comes just three years since the heartthrobs' self-titled debut album. They quickly scored four hits — including "Tearing Up My Heart" — but could never have been prepared for the success they would soon enjoy. Their sophomore effort, No Strings Attached , sold a record-setting 2.4 million copies in its first week and ending up as the best-selling record of 2000. "There's really a lot of pressure that people put on us but I think it's mostly pressure that everybody's gonna keep on us until we finally, y'know, start on that down-plummet or whatever happens," says Kirkpatrick. "We're concerned with making quality or learning. You know, if this album sells no records at all, we'll learn from that," he says. "We'll say, 'What do we do wrong? What is this?'" Stevie Wonder Intimidates the Boys, But Not for Long Critics may whince at 'N Sync's studio-produced pop, but Stevie Wonder sure doesn't. The R&B legend contributes harmonica on the track "Something Like You" and proved that even pop heroes can be star struck. "Justin [Timberlake] said he was really intimidated," says bandmate JC Chasez. "If something was a little bit wrong, he had to say, 'Yeah, Stevie, could you do this just a little bit different?' and then he'd get off the talkback and say, 'I just told Stevie how to do something which I shouldn't' so, it was kinda cool." Reflecting on all Wonder has achieved, Kirkpatrick is confident 'N Sync will also enjoy a lasting legacy. "Twenty years down the road, people are gonna be looking back and going, 'Ya'know what? 'N Sync was on top of it,'" says Kirpatrick. "'We labeled them as a bubblegum group but over time, we're seeing that they really knew where music was going and where they were taking their music.'"

From ABC News

MTV'S NOMINEES (July 23, 2001)

*Nsync have 5 nominations for the MTV's Video Music Awards 2001 for POP and they're: Best Group Video, Best Pop Video, Best Editing, Breakthrough Video and Viewer's Choise . The event will be on September 9 at 8 p.m. (eastern/central). Good Luck Guys!!!!

*NSYNC SEND AJ THEIR 'BEST' ( Mon. Jul 16, 2001 )

*NSYNC have sent their best wishes to Backstreet Boy's AJ McLean, after he was recently admitted to a rehabilitation clinic for anxiety, depression and alcoholism. The boy band showed their support during a teleconference in Denver on Friday (July 13th) only days after the news hit that the 23-year-old singer was taking part in a 30-day programme. *NSYNC's JC Chasez commented: "It's kind of sad that he's got a problem like that. I wish the guy the best. I hope he pulls it together. At least he has admitted to himself that he has a problem, and that's pretty much the first step. That sucks." Lance Bass added: "Our prayers are with him." Meanwhile, the Backstreet Boys management company, The Firm, have issued a statement to combat speculation that the band will either split or cancel their postponed tour of the US altogether as a result of McLean's illness. It read: "The tour will resume in Vancouver as planned. Any conjecture or assumption to the contrary is merely that, and we all hope that people will respect the group's wishes to give AJ the time he needs for himself."

From Dotmusic

*NSYNC: NOT JUST BUBBLE-GUM (Mon. Jul 2, 2001)

Justin Timberlake is tired of *NSYNC not being treated as a "credible group", reports an American magazine just before the release of their new album. The boy band's last long-player sold a staggering 2.4 million copies in the US alone and it's likely their second offering, 'Celebrity' will make the same kind of impact. But despite this Timberlake is unhappy about the way he thinks the guys are perceived. "The truth is that it can be tiresome to be continually blasted by critics because we don't fit their preconceived notion of what a 'credible' group is," he told 'Billboard'. "I wonder if they listen to our music before venturing an opinion." As *NSYNC were about to take to the stage at Cleveland Arena for yet another sold-out show, Timberlake is well aware that no matter what the critics say, they have an enormous following. He said: "In the end, it's no big deal. We make music for the people. Right now, we're extraordinary blessed: we're reaching a lot of people." Justin and J C Chasez have stepped up their writing contribution for this record, with 10 of the 13 tracks under their belts. They have also collaborated with the likes of techno star BT, infamous producer Rodney Jenkins and hip hop outfit the Neptunes. Chasez said of the new material: "Our objective was not to be self-conscious and try to make another hit record. Instead, we set out to make a record that was more reflective of what turns us on musically. "We also wanted to prove that pop music comes in a lot of different flavours. It's not all bubble-gum."

From Dotmusic

Bloodhound Gang To Possibly Feature *NSYNC on Next LP (june 24, 2001)

With the dust having settled on the picket signs, the Bloodhound Gang are gearing up to stir the pot once more with the follow-up to 2000's Hooray for Boobies. The Gang, whose naughty rhymes and videos raised the ire of women's groups, gay rights groups and Asian-American groups, are preparing to converge on frontman Jimmy Pop's home studio in Philadelphia to record its fourth studio album. So far they've penned six songs -- including one called "Fox Trot Uniform Charlie Kilo" -- for the album, which is due out on Interscope by the end of the year. The band plans to tour in 2002. "Everyone used 'Millennium' and that didn't leave us with much," Pop quips of the album so far lacking a title. " Robbie [Williams] and the Backstreet Boys used it, and 'Chocolate Starfish' was taken. There's nothing left. We'll have to think of something." According to Pop, 'N Sync are likely to make a guest appearance on the effort. The two groups formed a friendship after meeting at a Bloodhound Gang show last year. "We went down to their show here in Philadelphia last week," he says. "They're just really cool guys. I would rather spend time with those guys than most of the bands out there just, because they are so down to earth."

From Rolling Stone

NO STRINGS ATTACHED FOR BARBIE (Mon. Jun 4, 2001)

It's been revealed that children's doll Barbie is a fan of American boyband *NSYNC. Toymakers Mattel have announced plans to issue an "*NSYNC fan" Barbie doll. The doll, and her friends Eve and Teresa, will be dressed in *NSYNC tie-die T-shirts and jeans. Each doll will also come with a special *NSYNC remix CD, banner and autograph book. Mattel vice president Jamie Cygielman is quoted as saying, "Music celebrities, especially pop stars, have created quite a stir in girls' lives, and no one knows girls better than Barbie. Mattel's partnership with *NSYNC is yet another way the Barbie brand continues to remain in tune with girls".

From Dotmusic

SUM IT UP WITH BRITNEY! (Wed. May 30, 2001)

Britney and Justin Shop for these artists Britney Spears and *NSYNC member Justin Timberlake are encouraging music fans to brush up on their mathematics by backing the US educational campaign 'MathNMusic Club For Youth'. The pop star couple are lending images of themselves to the online venture, which is being launched by the website MathMastery.com and the 'Giving Back Fund' on June 5th. Timberlake was in Boston yesterday (Tuesday May 29th) to announce his support for the project that incorporates music to make learning about numbers more fun. A spokesperson for MathMastery.com has confirmed that there will be likenesses of both the teen idols on the site. After users have enrolled in the club, which they do by paying a fee, they will get sent Justin and Britney posters as well as other memorabilia. A slice of the club proceeds will go to the Justin Timberlake Foundation and the Britney Spears Foundation, which work alongside the 'Giving It Back Fund' to raise money for music education programmes in American schools. At the moment there is no plans for any of the artists' music to be played on the site.

From Dotmusic

*NSYNC GOT GAME! (Thu. May 24, 2001)

Boy band *NSYNC are following in the footsteps of their pop pal Britney Spears and have had a computer game made in their honour. American fans have been delighted by the *NSYNC Hotline Fantasy Phone which plugs into PC computers. It's aimed at young players, aged 8 to 12, who can compete for a virtual backstage pass by completing five short games. One of these challenges features a bowling section where players have to knock down pins that have the heads of Lance, Justin, JC, Chris and Joey animated on top of them. Other contests include a kissing booth and a memory game. The main component of the game is the actual Fantasy Phone. When plugged into a gameport it behaves like a controller, but when it isn't plugged in it rings the user to give them personalised text messages from different members of the band.

From Dotmusic

*NSYNC BOAST SENSATIONAL TOUR (Wed. May 23, 2001)

*NSYNC set off on one of the biggest pop tours ever mounted this week boasting a five-story-high main stage with plans to sell disposable cameras to the audience in an attempt to create a 'paparazzi' effect. A spokesman for the band said that 88 trucks would be transporting two separate complete concert setups, including the main stage and a number of smaller stages, between the venues. Whilst the band plays in one city, a crew will be setting up in the next. The planned highlight of the show is to be the performance of 'Celebrity' during which audience members will be invited onto the stage to use their disposable camera to photograph the band walking down a red carpet. *NSYNC will also encourage the rest of the audience to take pictures simultaneously in order to create a 'paparazzi' effect as thousands of cameras flash in time. One dollar from the sale of each camera will be donated to *NSYNC's Challenge for the Children Foundation which raises money for children's charities throughout America.

From Dotmusic

*NSYNC GIVE 'POP' PRIORITY (Thu. May 10, 2001)

*NSync will now be releasing their next album, 'Celebrity', in July instead of June so that they can work on their tour and make a promo for their forthcoming single 'Pop'. Justin Timberlake and co are currently in New Orleans rehearsing for their American stadium shows, which will now kick off in Jacksonville, Florida on May 23rd and not May 18th as planned. It's also been reported that a show scheduled to take place on May 20th in Jackson, Mississippi will now not take place until August 24th. All tickets already purchased will be accepted for the new dates. The video for 'Pop' is being co-produced by Timberlake, Wade Robson (who is a choreographer for *NSync and fellow pop star Britney Spears) and techno artist BT. It is set to get it's first airing on an MTV show called 'Making The Video' on May 28th and fans can hear snippets now if they tune into the music channel's 'Total Request Live'.

From Dotmusic

JC made the cover this year in The Teen People Magazine

The Teen People 25 hottest stars under 25 was announced. JC, Joey, Justin, and Lance all made the countdown. They made the countdown along with Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore, Pink and more.

"CELEBRITY" SQUARES? (Tue. Apr 3, 2001)

*N Sync are to call their forthcoming album 'Celebrity' and it's scheduled to hit shops in June. A US website has reported that the album is due to surface on June 26th stateside. It's presence is likely to cause havoc in record shops worldwide as their last long-player, 'No Strings Attached', sold more than 2.4 million units in its first week of release. A single is likely to precede 'Celebrity' and has been slated for an April release. America's hottest boy band recently said that the album would feature a variety of sounds, including electronica, hard R&B, "straight-up dance music" and even a little twist of country. They have been recording with production duo the Neptunes, who are famed for their work with the likes of Jay-Z, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Kelis and No Doubt. *N Sync's summer tour of the US begins in Miami on May 12th and as yet no UK tour plans have been confirmed. Related Stories.

From Dotmusic

*NSYNC To Release Celebrity On June 26 (Wed. Apr 4, 2001)

*NSYNC have titled their fourth album after something they know a lot about: Celebrity.

The follow-up to last year's No Strings Attached — which sold a record-setting 2.4 million copies in its first week — is due June 26. Jive Records hopes to have a first single out by the end of April, a spokesperson said. Though there's no word on the title, it's promised to be an uptempo track. The group's members recently said their new album will dip into such genres as electronica, hard R&B, "straight-up dance music" and even country. 'NSYNC recorded material last month with production duo the Neptunes, who have worked with rappers Mystikal, Jay-Z and Ol' Dirty Bastard, R&B diva Kelis and pop-rockers No Doubt. 'NSYNC will kick off a summer tour on May 12 in Miami with television-born pop group Eden's Crush in tow. On Friday, the guys attended the Los Angeles premiere of the concert film Bigger Than Live. Fans can go to nsyncbiggerthanlive.com to find out when the movie will be playing at a nearby IMAX or large screen theater.

From MTV

Fatone is having a baby but keeping it simple (March 28, 2001 )

"The success of ‘N Sync has made Orlando’s Joey Fatone one of the wealthiest young entertainers in the world. So you might think his daughter would also be raised with hand-woven silk wet-wipes and platinum Pampers. That notion disappears faster than most daddies at diaper-changing time when you see where expectant girlfriend Kelly Baldwin set up baby-gift registries: Babies ‘R’ Us and JCPenney. That’s why Fatone and his family are so popular in Central Florida. They’re the kind of down-to-earth folks who wouldn’t stick old pals from high school with a wish list from Nouveau Riche Rugrats of Snobberly Hills. Baldwin, according to her drivers license, is a 5-foot-1, 23-year-old who wears corrective lenses, but has no other restrictions -- good to know when Baldwin starts steering the baby stroller around Fatone’s four-bedroom, four-bath $402,400 pool home in south Orlando. Little Brianna’s nursery and crib will feature a "sun, moon and stars" motif, according to Baldwin’s online gift registries, which are blank where the father’s name goes.

Most items requested are pretty basic. So the next time you swab down your sink splashers, you can tell them you’re using the "pop-star preferred" $10 per three-pack Carter’s washcloths. Amid the list of scented drawer liners, spill-proof cups and baby-food organizers is one sure sign of the Fatone DNA -- a deluxe eight-piece grooming set. But doubt that comes with daddy’s favorite flaming-red highlights. One of the few luxury items requested was a $199.99 handheld TV monitor, but it was out of stock, as was the $3.99 Comfy Bear Bath Cushion. The couple also requested -- and received -- a $64.99 Comfortemp Underarm Thermometer. But as any baby or new parent would tell you, considering the alternative, that little gadget is worth its weight in gold . . . records.

From orlandosentinel.com

*NSYNC Film Coming to Detroit June 1 (March 28, 2001 )

Since "Larger Than Life" was already taken by another boy band, 'NSync will bring 'NSync Bigger Than Live to the Henry Ford Museum's IMAX theater in Detroit beginning June 1. Produced by Jonathan Sanger (The Elephant Man) and Ed Albert (Anna and the King), the 48-minute concert film was primarily filmed at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., during the group's No Strings Attached Tour 2000 (footage from gigs in Hershey, Pa., and Cincinnati also made the cut). Tickets for the film are set at $10 for adults and $8.50 for senior citizens and children under 12-years-old and can be purchased online at hfmgv.org.

From Allstar

#1 *NSYNC Fan Barbie! (March 26, 2001 )

As previously reported on nsyncstudio.com in November 2000, Mattel is coming out with an *NSYNC Barbie! Read on: Waving her "I love *NYSNC " banner it's obvious that Barbie is the band's #1 fan! Decked out in *NSYNC concert gear, *NSYNC #1 Fan Barbie comes with a special CD with *NSYNC singles remixed just for you Barbie also comes with trading cards. and autograph book and three magazines. Go VIP with Barbie! Available Spring 2001 from Mattel.

From AOL Kids, Mattel

Timberlake to Play Brainless Straw Man? (March 26, 2001 )

Justin Timberlake, the "Cute One" from boy band 'N Sync, may soon take on a new role: the scarecrow in The O.Z., Fox television's planned hip-hop adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, according to Variety. But even if Timberlake inks the deal, the show has faced some setbacks. Brandy, who was slated to play Dorothy, dropped out of the project, and now producers are pursuing Mya, the magazine reports. Production was also moved back to this summer, in the face of a looming strike by the Screen Actors Guild.

From Wall of Sound

Timberlake Down with "O.Z." (March 22, 2001 )

Boy band megastar Justin Timberlake -- aka The Cute One of 'N Sync -- is in talks to join the cast of ''The O.Z.,'' Fox's hip-hop TV adaptation of ``The Wizard of Oz.'' Production on the musical has been pushed back until after a potential Screen Actors Guild (news - web sites) strike this summer. In addition, singer Brandy, who had been slated to star as Dorothy, has dropped out of the project. Fox has had conversations with soul/pop songstress Mya (''Return of the Ex'') for the role. If a deal can be hammered out, Timberlake would play the Scarecrow. Thesp John Leguizamo is in talks to play a wicked warlock, while Little Richard has signaled his intent to play the Wizard.

From Variety