news archives

August 31, 2001 - Well again a British tabloid is reporting that Britney Spears and longtime boyfriend Justin Timberlake are engaged. The Sun's Clodagh Hartley reports Justin proposed while the two were recording the track where Justin provides backing vocals on Britney's new album. Read more.

August 31, 2001 - The Philadelphia Inquirer's Dan Deluca talked about the influence Michael Jackson has had on music and mentioned Justin Timberlake saying his " anxiety-ridden vocals sound ever more Jacksonesque as he approaches drinking age. 'N Sync's feisty "Pop" may have been a bit too savvy an appropriation of the Brit dance music known as "two-step garage" to be appreciated by the tweener fan base, but it argued that the fabulously popular fivesome has staying power." Read more.

August 31, 2001 - Melinda checked in with another update from the road yesterday, including details on *NSYNC's new video for Gone.

August 31, 2001 - Thanks MARK, who in his well known all CAP style updated us on Joey's phone call into TRL today announcing a series of *NSYNC info. Read more.

August 30, 2001 - TRL today promo'd Britney Spears MTV Diary which includes a scene with Britney and Justin kissing on the lips as he has his arms around her.

August 30, 2001 - SoundScan figures for the week show *NSYNC's Celebrity continue lower as rock and R&B acts litter the top 10, including Maxwell in the #1 position with Now. *NSYNC sold 138,555 albums for the week putting them in the #5 position, down from #3 last week. Jennifer Lopez rounded out the top 10 selling 91,657 records for the week.

August 29, 2001 - The New York Post's Liz Smith reports *NSYNC has asked Deborah Gibson to stay on the road with them and open for their dates in Mexico before she heads to Japan to promote her new album M.Y.O.B.

August 29, 2001 - The Village Voice's Michael Musto talked to Steven Klein who photographed Justin Timberlake for his upcoming appearance in Arena Hommes Plus magazine. Klein reveals the spread will startlingly present Justin in the role of "a suburban kid, kind of violent." Klein says, "You have to kill to have a rebirth."

August 28, 2001 - Daily Variety reports the movie version of Rent has been shelved as budgetary issues got in the way. Justin Timberlake had been tested for a role as a singer in the Spike Lee cancelled film.

August 28, 2001 - Gay gossip scribe Billy Masters is gushing about JC in this week's column responding to a request of nude pictures of the singer saying, "I do have one new photo of JC that has come my way, and this may at least hold you over until we get to see the full Monty.  This is a photo of JC onstage grabbing his apparently substantial bulge in his pants.  It's quite a tempting photo." Umm, while I didn't spend any time looking for the photo, it's probably on his site, Filth2go.com.

August 28, 2001 - Thanks Mark. Fans of *NSYNC were left disappointed after Justin Timberlake's appearance on TRL Monday consisted of a taped intro to the video AM to PM from one of their opening acts on the Popoddessey Tour.

August 28, 2001 - A 14 year old fan of *NSYNC that won the car decorating contest for the MTV: NSYNC Road To Celebrity Taping is complaining about MTV not giving her and her winning friends tickets to that night's show in San Diego as promised.

August 27, 2001 - Thanks Princess of Peace. Before Aaliyah's tragic death Saturday she was asked during an AOL chat who her favorite 'boy band' was, Aaliyah responded, "*NSYNC. I just like them. I think they're hot! Justin has so much soul, and they make really good music."

August 26, 2001 - Thanks Rach. The Sun reports  Justin Timberlake was hailed a hero last night after saving a girl from a sex attacker, when He dashed to the rescue after hearing screams in a Hollywood club car park. The attacker sneered at the star: "Mind your own business or your dead." Justin decked him as pals called club bouncers and the attacker was arrested.

August 25, 2001 - The New York Post reports a source told them *NSYNC "was furious over Jackson backing out of his promised appearance with them at next month's MTV Music Awards" which may be the true reason the group backed out of the MSG concert. Read more.

August 25, 2001 - Deborah Gibson talked to MTV.com about her act as she's opening for *NSYNC saying, "I've always taken the role-model approach. I care how my music rubs off on kids and I don't think you need to perform in a bikini to be current. My performance is filled with a lot of what 'NSYNC's performance is filled with. It's not like every one of those guys has an amazingly buff body and goes for showing skin - they're charged with an energy. I have a similar energy and it's an energy you can use at any age with any audience." Read more.

August 25, 2001 - A large picture featuring Justin, Joey, Lance, and The Producers stars Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, and Cady Huffman is on the table of contents page of this week's US Weekly. The guys saw the Broadway show and Joey commented, "It would be great to do a show like this. To have a captive audience that wasn't screaming."

August 25, 2001 - US Weekly reports Chris Kirkpatrick was spotted having chicken wings and margaritas with two women at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in Atlanta.

August 25, 2001 - MTV talked to Britney Spears about working with Justin on the single What It's Like To Be Me where Justin provided backing vocals. Spears admits, "I have to say I was a little nervous at first." Read more, including Britney's opening tour dates where O-Town will open for her.

August 24, 2001 - The Globe's Charlene Tilton reports Justin Timberlake was mobbed by girls at a Hollywood nightspot where they handed him their phone numbers left and right.. When Justin left though, he emptied his pockets of the numbers and tossed them in the trash.

August 24, 2001 - Justin has caused some controversy amongst Nirvana fans by making the following statement during his Today show interview, "I think pop is whatever's popular. Nirvana was pop because they were popular. And so I think that's the whole concept behind the song itself."

August 23, 2001 - *NSYNC appears to now be taking a back seat not only to Now 7 but Alicica Keys, as they continue to fall in the Billboard charts to #3 this week.

August 23, 2001 - *NSYNC have pulled out of their planned September 7 performance with the Jackson brothers at the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration citing scheduling conflicts related to the MTV Video Music Awards. Read more.

August 23, 2001 - With so many of the sales of Celebrity on the front end, it now appears after dropping like a stone in sales figures the Backstreet Boys Black and Blue was the more successful album, selling 3.4 million vs. 2.8 million for Celebrity in the first month.

August 22, 2001 - Worldpop reports Justin Timberlake and Chris Kirkpatrick will appear in the October issue of Marvel's Wolverine comic. Justin admits to be a big fan of the character saying, "He has the coolest look to him - and the coolest weapon."

August 21, 2001 - eZuma.com has a gigantic gallery of *NSYNC pictures from their performance on the Today show yesterday. Check out the giant 270 picture gallery here. Click the 'NBC Summer Concert Series' link.

August 21, 2001 - The guys from *NSYNC issued a warning about people posing on the internet as one of the five of *NSYNC members or as an *NSYNC insider.  Read more.

August 21, 2001 - Entertainment Tonight previewed a segment with *NSYNC and their mothers, in addition to talking about 'when fans go too far.' Be sure to check it out tonight.

August 21, 2001 - MTV.com's preview of Britney's Diary episode, "Summerbreak? There's no such thing for Britney Spears. Hang with Britney from Memorial Day to Labor Day as she records her new album, works on her new movie, makes a NASCAR appearance, plays basketball with *NSYNC, hangs out at her summer camp, and even finds time for family, friends and her boyfriend. Whew! Sounds like Britney needs a vacation!"

August 21, 2001 - Katrillion.com has their take on the *NSYNC performance at Heinz Field last Saturday where JC is quoted saying, It was an honor to perform the last show ever at Three Rivers Stadium last year. It's an honor to be the first show at this stadium." Read more.

August 21, 2001 - AP reports on *NSYNC's appearance on the Today show yesterday morning where Justin sounded less than scholarly saying during the appearance, "I think pop is whatever's popular, you know." Read more.

August 21, 2001 - Sweden's Aftonbladet has a blurb on Britney and Justin's romantic music tastes of Marvin Gaye and Al Green. Maybe someone could translate this on the message boards. Read more.

August 21, 2001 - WireImage.com has 77 pictures of *NSYNC performing at the Today Show on Monday. Check them out here.

August 21, 2001 - For full size photos of *NSYNC and the record breaking crowd on the today show, check out these 4 pictures on Yahoo.

August 20, 2001 - PittsburghLive.com has more reports following *NSYNC's performance last night, which brought a crowd of 50,000 to the event. The show was the first at Pittsburgh's new Heinz Field. Read more.

August 19, 2001 - Thanks Sky Baby. Check out the new Rolling Stone article on our message boards where Britney's new house, new album, and Justin are profiled. Britney admits, "I walk around my house naked, so I'm not very modest or whatever. I think the body's a beautiful thing, and you should not hide youself. If you feel like wearing something that makes you feel good about you, and you want to wear a push-up bra, I say, 'Go for it.'"

August 19, 2001 - The Star reports ex-Baywatch star Traci Bingham got rejected by Joey Fatone at the group's Celebrity premiere part in LA. Traci reportedly told Joey, "You know, I never wear underwear." Fatone inexplicablly (given his reputation) gave her a funny look and then walked away.

August 18, 2001 - Katrillion.com reports Justin Timberlake's response to winning Choice Hottie at the Teen Choice Awards was, "This is a rather embarrassing award ... I don't really consider myself hot. I don't really pay much attention to this kind of stuff."

August 18, 2001 - PittsburghLive.com has a special section dedicated to *NSYNC ahead of their performance at Heinz Field tonight. Check it out here.

August 18, 2001 - Flo Anthony reports all five members of *NSYNC taped a special one-hour episode for Ananda Lewis' new talk show, The Ananda Lewis Show, which debuts September 10th. No word on when *NSYNC's episode airs, but the group performed Pop and Gone for the appearance.

August 18, 2001 - Lil' Johnny has been added to the *NSYNC PopOdyssey tour according to Launch.com for dates that started Monday until the August 27th show in El Paso. Read more.

August 18, 2001 - Laura Ewald of the Indianapolis Star was on hand at *NSYNC's show last Thursday night. Check out here report here.

August 18, 2001 - Indianapolis Star music critic David Lindquist gave the *NSYNC show on Thursday a 3 1/2 star rating. Read more.

August 17, 2001 - The Indianapolis Star's David Lindquist profiled *NSYNC ahead of their performance in Indianapolis last night. Read more.

August 17, 2001 - Roger Friedman profiled why pop may be on the downswing because of the weak economy, as upbeat pop turns to melancholy, introspective tunes when the economy sours. Read more.

August 17, 2001 - MTV reports *NSYNC are helping their childhood role idol Debbie Gibson to relaunch her musical career as she opened for the group last night in Indianapolis, with 5 more opening dates to come. Read more.

August 16, 2001 - Apparently Justin's appearance on the Wayne Brady show gave them enough of a boost to win it's time slot with 10.3 million viewers and it also was  the highest-rated program for Wednesday night among adults 18-49.

August 16, 2001 - E! Online's Ted Casablanca reports on a spotting of JC Chasez leaving a big tip with a "grumpy girl" at the California Pizza Kitchen in Lenox Square Mall while Joey Fatone was spotted in the same mall earlier with multiple women. Read more.

August 12, 2001 - Conan O'Brien spoofed on celebrities with their own companies and *NSYNC's was 'N Each Other Productions with the guys posed in a 'choo-choo-train' so to speak.

August 15, 2001 - Thanks Helena. There's a great page of *NSYNC media at Getmusic.com, including all the tracks off Celebrity, an exclusive interview, a trivia and memory game, videos, ecards, and a screensaver. Check it out here.

August 15, 2001 - Helena posted a couple of links to vidcaps of Justin and Britney, one of which was a kiss exchanged between the two when Britney was presented with her Teen Choice Award.

August 15, 2001 - Lance Bass talked to Launch.com about the release of On The Line where he revealed, "We're going to release it in October now--early October. We're still editing it right now." Read more.

August 14, 2001 - MTV.com reports Michael Jackson and Britney Spears will duet on The Way You Make Me Feel on September 7th at Madison Square Garden while the same night Jackson will perform Dancing Machine with *NSYNC. Read more.

August 14, 2001 - Entertainment Tonight interviewed Justin and Britney from the red carpet of the Teen Choice Awards, where they report they have not recorded a duet.

August 13, 2001 - *NSYNC won Teen Choice Awards for  Choice Single award for their song Pop and Choice Concert and Choice Album awards for Celebrity. Click here for photos from Excite, eZuma, and WireImage.

August 13, 2001 - Johnny Wright talked to hitsdailydouble.com about the PopOdyssey tour saying, "We did it in such a way that, even if we only sold 50% of the seats, we would be able to do the show the way we wanted to do it. And so far, we’ve been lucky enough to sell to about 90-100% capacity, so it’s been better than we anticipated." Read more.

August 13, 2001 - An MTV.com poll asking what is July's biggest story shows AJ and James Hetfield (Metallica) checking into rehab were the biggest stories, with 64% voting on the pair. *NSYNC selling 1.88 million of Celebrity was 2nd with 15%, while Mariah's hospitalization got 12%. Vote here.

August 12, 2001 - Thanks Mark. Interesting article from 800predict.com which basically says Britney is Justin's soulmate and predicts he'll have "a deeper commitment to Britney." Read more.

August 12, 2001 - Goldi.com reports Joey Fatone was treated briefly for pneumonia but is now out and about.

August 10, 2001 - Conan O'Brien took a shot at *NSYNC in his monologue Thursday saying, "This week in the southern half of the country, fierce tropical storm forced the cancellation of several *NSYNC concerts. [Cheers] People say this is the most conclusive evidence so far that God does exist. [Applause] I think i could be an *NSYNC with these kind of moves. The sad, nerdy guy at the end in his late 50s."

August 10, 2001 - Interesting blind item this week from Filth2go.com's Billy Masters... "Could it be that a certain bunch o’ boys currently touring are having a bit of dissension in the ranks?  It all started when one member complained about the elaborate sets and choreography.  Then another had problems making his quick changes.  At a group meeting, the two issues were raised, and tensions flared.  One member suggested that the person who complained about the choreography wasn’t working hard enough, while another said that perhaps the quick changes would go quicker if that warbler “weren’t so fat”.  Where did that leave the fifth boy?  Stuck between several men – and not the way he usually likes it (although he’s still linked with boy number three)."

August 10, 2001 - Apparently that 9 year old bodybuilder, Richard Sandrak, is a huge fan of *NSYNC and recently got to meet the guys. Check out pictures of him with the guys at his official site here.

August 9, 2001 - Sonicnet reports Britney and Justin have just completed a duet.  Rich Travali, who is mixing the track this week in New York revealed, "It's a slick pop thing, very aggressive." Read more.

August 9, 2001 - Week 2 numbers are out and Now 7 has topped Celebrity by selling over 620,000 copies, while *NSYNC's latest sold 458,000 in week 2. Read more.

August 9, 2001 - The Star somehow got photos of Britney Spears home including her bedroom at the Serenity estate in Kentwood. Included in the home is a painting of Britney in a Victorian era dress, which a friend reveals, "Sometimes she looks up at it and pretends to dance the night away with a beau in her arms. Her family laughs and says she's dreaming about Justin."

August 9, 2001 - Justin Timberlake was on the Wayne Brady Show Wednesday where he, Wayne, and Brian McKnight performed an improv dedicated to an audience member named Anne, who was dressed in purple.

August 8, 2001 - USA Today covered young stars and the pressures brought by being in the spotlight, where Justin Timberlake revealed, "We're young guys, and we like to have fun, and we make mistakes sometimes. We don't say that we lead squeaky-clean lives. But we were raised by good mothers and good families, and we always take them into consideration." The article also sheds light on the status of Justin's legal tangle with Daniele McGuire as they report the suit was dropped without settlement, according to a  lawyer for the group. Read more.

August 8, 2001 - Thanks Katie44. Check out comments from Lou Pearlman and Wade Robson on the members of *NSYNC on our message board, including Lou's comments on Justin saying, "The youngest member---used to be the wildest but now very tame. I'm sure Britney sees to it in some respect."

August 8, 2001 - HitsDailyDouble.com reports Now 7 has already knocked Celebrity off the #1 spot in the charts with Billboard numbers due out later today. *NSYNC now holds the #2 position.

August 8, 2001 - NSYNCStudio.com reports Justin lost his ID and a fan found it, giving it to a DJ hoping he'd be able to get autographs in exchange. Read more and check out his ID here... Don't worry, they greyed out the important stuff.

August 8, 2001 - Worldpop reports Justin Timberlake has revealed why he calls Britney 'Pinky', as the name comes from a mouse who appears on their favourite cartoon show, Steven Spielberg Presents Pinky And The Brain.

August 7, 2001 - Usher talked about *NSYNC with the Chicago Sun Times saying, "Boy bands are OK, but I never wanted to be in one. I make music for everybody. I'm sure that 'N Sync thinks they're doing the same thing. I will say this about boy bands: When a young fan likes your music it ensures your longevity to a certain extent. But I like having an older demographic, too."

August 7, 2001 - During Craig Kilborn's Monday monologue; "Do we have any *NSYNC fans here, gals? [Applause] Good. I like to limit it to eight. The highlight of the new *NSYNC show is when the five boys ride mechanic bulls. That's what it is. They should finally put to rest all those gay rumors. That's great for *NSYNC, mechanical bulls."

August 7, 2001 - Radio personality Sonny Melendrez interviewed *NSYNC before their concert in San Antonio where rumors Britney and Justin would appear in a movie together were denied. Sonny said, "There's been talk about Justin (Timberlake) and Britney (Spears) appearing together in a movie, but Justin said that was not true, although he said he would like to be in one with her just to see her more often." Read more.

August 7, 2001 - Joey Fatone has been hospitalized with pneumonia and had to miss a concert performance over the weekend in San Antonio. Read more

August 6, 2001 - Norm Clarke reports Las Vegas nightclub C2K is flirting with trouble after allowing Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake to party in the nightclub until dawn. Tye Smith insisted no alcohol was served to the two minors but state liquor officials countered, "It's cut and dried with a nightclub. You have to be 21 because it's hard to control. If you want to take your daughter to see Tom Jones, she can have a soft drink and you can have Jack Daniels." Read more from the Wednesday and Friday columns.

August 5, 2001 - The Detroit Free Press’ Brian McCollum says *NSYNC’s Celebrity "stands head and shoulders above the rest" but adds, "The group's entreaties for respect, its demands for timelessness, are going to sound awfully funny once the current pop-culture moment has expired." Read more.

August 5, 2001 - MSN has a *NSYNC game called The ‘N SYNC-ERATOR, basically a jigsaw puzzle game. Check it out here.

August 5, 2001 - Miami Herald’s Howard Cohen on *NSYNC’s Pop: "Pop contains some of the most insufferable and whiny lyrics since Michael Jackson feebly pleaded his case to his detractors on his angry and bloated HIStory set six years ago." Read more.

August 5, 2001 - *NSYNC’s scheduled concert at Pro Player Stadium Thursday night was postponed to an indefinite date due to the tropical storm. Read more.

August 5, 2001 - US Weekly's Fashion Police went after Britney's short purple outfit for the HBO Press tour. VH1 writer Mark Puner said, "Loni Anderson called; she wants her look back." Comedian Susie Felber joked, "Barbie: Pants sold separately." WKTU's Goluma Johnny cracked, "It's true - Justin wears the pants in our relationship."

August 5, 2001 - US Weekly's Tom Conroy profiling the Wayne Brady Show says, "Brian McKnight and Justin Timberlake perform a song about a randomly chosen audience member, which is a bit of a waste of musical talent."

August 5, 2001 - *NSYNC are profiled in this week's US Weekly with Mariah Carey on the cover. Laura MOrgan, the senior entertainment editor for Seventeen says the guys, "are a far cry from the decadent rock stars of years past. They're on time for interviews and promo activities, are gracious to their fans, and are good role models."

August 4, 2001 - The LA Times reports a fan trying to get a photo of Justin at LA's Moomba instead got shoved around by Justin's bodyguard and had to deal with Justin, who, rather than oblige the fan, made like a mime and started snapping imaginary pix at the fan. Read more.

August 4, 2001 - JC tells Launch he's high on Pop even though the song hasn't faired well in the charts saying, "To me, it's the one track even on the radio right now that just stands out. It's so unique. It's got a mixture of everything. It's got rock guitars with a dance beat with harmonies and aggression in the vocals as far as, like, the chanting. I think it's just got an energy that nothing has right now."

August 3, 2001 - Britney Spears, *NSYNC, Sisqo and Destiny's Child to scheduled to appear at 2001 Teen Choice Awards on 12 August in Los Angeles.

August 3, 2001 - E! Online's Ted Casablanca has a story on Britney Spears and a Northwest flight to go see boyfriend Justin. Check it out here.

August 3, 2001 - O-Town's Jacob Underwood tells Worldpop they'll ok with rival *NSYNC saying, "The rivalry isn't between us and *NSYNC, the rivalry is between the press and the press. They cause this stuff because maybe they get a more interesting story than they had last week. We have no fight with 'N Sync." Read more.

August 2, 2001 - *NSYNC were taped briefly to wish MTV a happy 20th for their birthday bash last night.

August 2, 2001 - Breath a sigh of relief Justin lovers as The Sun reports the official word (from who is not revealed) on Britney Spears' diamond ring: "It is a gift from her brother."

August 2, 2001 - *NSYNC's Celebrity sold 1,879,955 copies its first week out, making it the #2 selling album of all time, 2nd to No Strings Attached, where StorieTella on our message boards was closest in our poll, guessing 1,900,500. Read more from CDNow.com and Sonicnet.com

August 1, 2001 - The Michael Jackson two night concert at Madison Square Garden sold out in 5 minutes even though the cheap seats were $800. Included on the bill are Britney Spears, Destiny's Child, Ricky Martin and *NSYNC. Read more.

August 1, 2001 - The Sun has a closeup of Britney's huge diamond ring on her engagement finger. Check it out here.

August 1, 2001 - MTV.com reports *NSYNC has been added to the MTV Video Music Awards list of performers.

August 1, 2001 - *NSYNC were again on Access Hollywood Tuesday where they told Pat O'Brien, "We want this album to stand on its own. We want this album -- people to buy this bum for the quality of the album, not for first-week sales."

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