On Sept. 12, 2023, the Video Music Awards (VMAs) were blessed with the presence of NSYNC, a popular ‘90s boy band that had not been together in 10 years. Although they did not sing, the band was there to present the Best Pop Award to none other than Taylor Swift. But why is this appearance so important?
NSYNC is a band made up of five members: Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake. You may recognize two of these names, as Justin Timberlake has become very popular over the years as a solo artist, and Joey Fatone has made many appearances in films and television, including making appearances on TV shows “Impractical Jokers” and “The Masked Singer.” The band was formed in 1995, starting with Joey and Chris and then having Justin, JC and Lance join in that order. The former four all knew each other in some way, and Lance was recommended as a bass singer by a mutual friend of Justin and Lance. Although the members are all American, they were initially signed by a European record label before leaving and re-signing with Jive Records in 1999. Through them, they continue to grow in popularity across the United States and the globe, creating hits like “Bye Bye Bye,” “It’s Gonna Be Me” and “Pop.”
This appearance has excited many people, as it was believed that the band would never reunite, especially since Justin has a popular solo career of his own. However, many bands and groups are making comebacks, with the Jonas Brothers and Backstreet Boys both reuniting in 2019, and the hope that NSYNC would return has been on everyone's minds.
Although the group’s last appearance altogether was in 2013, the band had not recorded new music together in over 20 years. However, it was announced that the group has a new song, “Better Place,” that will appear in the new “Trolls Band Together” movie–where Justin Timberlake stars as male protagonist Branch–which will be released in theaters on Nov. 17. At the current time, more songs or a reunion tour have not been announced.