2,589,345 Fans (and 2 Ferrets!)
Source -CD UK Magazine
*NSYNC are on a non-stop poathon across the US of A. And lucky us - we bumped into the boys and some bonkers fans in Chicago...
LANCE
Two ferrets were at your show in Chicago...were they there to see you or your pet ferret?
Cool! I hope they were here to see the show! My ferret was chilling on the tour bus and didn't come out for the Chicago show. What a shame - they could have hung out!
What's the maddest thing a fan's ever done to get close to the band?
Our fans are always doing all kinds of crazy stuff. I mean nothing surprises us any more. We don't know how they do it, but they're always at our hotels when we arrive - and half of the time we don't even know where we're staying. They're like FBI agents!
People say they'd strip, eat worms, even skydive naked for you. How does that make you feel?
Flattered, but we really worry about our fans' safety. We don't want anyone doing anything too insane like that. Following us from one city to another is more than enough. They're really loyal - and we want them to stay safe.
Boy George, Beyonce etc think you're top. Do you have more famous fans?
(laughs) I don't really know of any other ''famous'' people who like our music. We're just so thankful to all our famous and non-famous fans - without them we wouldn't be here.
Who do you admire most, famous or not?
I really admire all the other guys in *NSYNC - they're so dedicated and willing to make sacrifices for the group. In this business, that's what counts.
As a nipper, who did you love to bits?
I thought Michael Jackson was great! I had all his albums and I just couldn't wait to see his next video on MTV.
Ever thought a famous bod was great, then met 'em and gone off them?
(laughs) Nah! If you meet someone on an off day and they're not as attentive as you'd like them to be, it's probably just because their schedules are manic and they're been chatting all day. It's nothing personal.
JC
What's the best thing a fan's ever done?
We have so many lovely fans - they're always doing great things and surprising us! I can't say one thing and leave somebody else out!
What's the best thing you've ever done for one of your fans?
We try to tour as much as possible. Nothing can match a live show, it's the best way of getting out there and seeing all of our fans in person.
Which famous peep would you like to play you in a film about your life?
I'd love somebody like Al Pacino or Robert De Niro. I'm such a fan of theirs.
Would you ever date a fan or are they a no-no?
If I met a girl I really liked then I wouldn't matter who she was or what she did.
Who gets the cheekiest fan mail?
Justin - he even gets mad letters from middle-aged housewives. It's crazy!
Do fans know where you live and camp out on your front step?
Some people know where I live, but I'm hardly ever there! I'm happy - I don't get too much hassle, 'cause most of the fans really respect our privacy. That's nice.
Who do you admire most?
My parents are just so supportive. I'd have to say them.
Justin
Did you worry about the fans' reaction to the lies that you and Britney had been in a fatal crash?
Of course - it really worried both of us. Also, our families heard and couldn't get in touch with us, so they thought we'd been killed. That was aweful. We both had to call them to assure them that we were alive and well.
When you go to the cinema, do your security guys really buy all the seats first, so it costs you $5000 a pop?
(laughs)We don't go to the cinema that often - we prefer to hire movies from the shop or buy our own copies. It's a lot easier y'know.
Were you worried the whole Britney/Justin thing would be hard for fans to deal with?
Of course it was an issue that we had to deal with very carefully. Our fans are very intense and very loyal and they expect us to be the same. I guess they see me with Britney and feel I'm cheating on them. I don't think being in a couple broadens your fan base as our music is very different, but we do get a lot of media attention. Loads of guys come to the shows too, to catch a glimpse of Britney.
Who did you have posters of on your walls when you were a kid?
(looks thoughtful, then shrugs) Janet Jackson, Madonna...just all the normal kind of stuff really.
Who do you admire most?
My mom. She's such a great person who's always there for me whenever I need her, day and night.
Did you really snog Beyonce a few years ago at a party? On the US radio she said you were a good kisser.
(looks shocked) I don't really want to answer that.
It's been reported that you're moving away from teen pop. Are you fed up with that music and audience?
We're not moving away from that market - we're just maturing as a group. It's a natural progression of our sound, that's all. We love pop music and we always will, so don't worry!
Chris
You all featured on different covers of Rolling Stone (v. serious US music magazine) because of ''fan frenzy''. How do you feel about that?
We are really excited about the idea - it's the first time Rolling Stone has ever done that with a band, so we're looking forward to seeing them on the shelves. Justin's edition will probably sell the most - he's a cutie, isn't he?
Describe the typical *NSYNC fan.
Loyal, caring, understanding - our fans are the best fans ever as they stick by us no matter what. We love 'em!
You do tons for your fans - it's all soundcheck parties and stuff - how can you top that?
I suppose by making our live shows as spectacular as possible, so our fans really feel like they get their money's worth. We try to meet as many of our fans as possible too, and we'll always try to do that. The personal touch counts and they're really important to us.
Ever written someone's name on your face?
No. Never!
If you could pass any piece of advice you've been given on to a fan, what'd it be?
Follow your dreams, no matter how big or small.
Who do you admire most?
Madonna - she's a phenomenon, she's managed to re-invent herself time and time again to prove she's still cutting-edge when it comes to dictation style.
Joey
Your fans hate it when you get dissed by other bands. Does it do your head in as much?
We're all aware what people say about us, but we try to ignore them and rise above it. Our fans are very loyal and always stick up for us.
We all miss you in the UK and now your September visit's been cancelled...How can you keep us hooked?
The September promo hasn't definately been cancelled but if, for some reason, it is, we hope that the fans enjoy our new album and we promise to visit the UK very soon.
What's the worst thing a fan's done?
(thinks for ages) I can honestly say that nobody's done anything awful to me. (smiles) Aren't our fans great?
Who do you admire most?
Y'know, I guess I admire the guys in the group most. (shrugs) They work really hard and they make lots of personal sacrifices for the group.
Is privacy more important now you have a baby?
Well, yeah, but we've never really liked talking about our private lives. If we keep our home life to ourselves, it helps us keep an element of normality. That's important.
How did fans react to your relationship and knowing you were off-limits?
It's always difficult, but they seemed to take it well. They were all very understanding.