Singer also inspired by ‘NSYNC, Britney Spears and Janet Jackson for new project.
By Christina Garibaldi
Tag Archives: NSYNC
Did Destiny’s Child Ever Really Break Up?
Of course Destiny’s Child are getting back together; actually, they never really broke up. Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams just haven’t made music together in a while.
It was 2005 and DC3 were riding high after releasing their fourth studio LP, Destiny Fulfilled, when they decided to take a break. In a press release issued to MTV News, the trio were very careful not to use the word “breakup.” “No matter what happens, we will always love each other as friends and sisters and will always support each other as artists,” the release stated.
Yes, we’re all excited about the musical return of Beyoncé and the girls on “Nuclear,” the new Pharrell Williams-produced single from their Love Songs compilation, due January 29. The track, which sonically holds traces of the 1990s New Jack Swing sub-genre of RB, finds the sultry sirens singing of a growing love.
The trio’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance is sure to be eventful as well, but let’s credit the girls with keeping their friendship intact all these years, because that’s no easy feat.
What will Destiny’s Child perform during Super Bowl halftime?
There were performances at the 2006 NBA All-Star Game and their funny 2007 BET Awards appearance with Mo’nique. They also threw on their best dresses and strutted their stuff with Bey in her sassy “Get Me Bodied” video.
The girls’ post-Destiny Fulfilled moments weren’t all musical either. After Beyoncé did her belly-rubbing performance at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Kelly and Michelle were backstage at Staples Center to congratulate their sister.
Through it all, the talented trio have preached sisterhood with their constant hanging out. It’s a bond that many star groups can’t maintain after a split. When was the last time we saw ‘NSYNC in the same place? “We have a good time together, and I think that’s the most important thing,” Kelly Rowland told MTV News in August. “We don’t want to scratch each other’s eyes out; we love each other too much.”
We’ll gladly welcome Destiny’s Child back in any capacity they choose — it’s not like they ever really went anywhere anyway.
What do you think of Destiny’s Child’s “Nuclear” single? Let us know in the comments!
One Direction Reveal Their Favorite Part Of 2012: Watch Here!
It hasn’t been since NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees first dominated the pop charts more than a decade ago that we’ve seen such a surge of guy group domination — that is until now.
From The Wanted joining forces with Justin Bieber to the Jonas Brothers’ reunion show, it’s safe to say that boy bands are back in a big way. And there’s no question that leading the pack is “X Factor” U.K. alums One Direction.
In 2012, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson took the U.S. (and world) by storm — dropping two #1 albums, selling out Madison Square Garden in 10 minutes, winning three Video Music Awards, and taking the title as MTV’s Best Artist of the Year.
Who made MTV’s 10 Best Artists of 2012? Check it out!
“We’ve had a big year,” Malik told MTV News when accepting MTV‘s year-end award.
And with so many milestones in 2012, the fivesome had a hard time pinpointing just one moment as their favorite.
“I think it’s always a really hard question when we get asked our top moment,” Styles explained. “Madison Square Garden was definitely one of the top things we’ve ever done and will ever do. I think it just topped off an amazing year for us, and it’s just been amazing.”
Another unforgettable accomplishment for 1D was at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. Not only did the guys perform their smash hit “One Thing,” but they took home the Moonman for Most Share-Worthy Video, Best Pop Video and Best New Artist. Plus, how could we forget: Horan snagged a kiss from Katy Perry. “The VMAs [were] unbelievable,” Styles recalled.
What was your favorite 1D moment from 2012? Sound off in the comments below!
Did Justin Timberlake Invite ‘NSYNC To His Wedding?
We’re going to assume that when a curly topped Justin Timberlake sang the words “This I Promise You” as ‘NSYNC‘s frontman, he wasn’t talking about his fellow bandmates’ invitations to his future wedding.
We already know that Roots drummer ?uestlove, who DJ‘d the reception, did not spin any tunes by the ’90s boy band and stuck with solo Justin Timberlake hits instead. And now TMZ is reporting that three out of the five members of ‘NSYNC were not in attendance at Timberlake’s wedding to Jessica Biel in Southern Italy on Friday — and they may not have even been invited in the first place.
JC Chasez was attending his brother’s wedding in Orlando, Joey Fatone was in Los Angeles, and Lance Bass had an engagement in San Diego. While we know that Chris Kirkpatrick was in Italy during the time of the wedding, we do not have confirmation that he was supporting his former bandmate at the event.
Check out a timeline of Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel’s love!
Other details of the hush-hush wedding weekend are slowly trickling out, and Us Weekly is reporting that the bride added some color to the traditional wedding white when she walked down the aisle in a pink-and-white Giambattista Valli wedding dress with a “princess-like silhouette,” according to stylist Bobbie Thomas. Before serenading his wife with a new song, Timberlake tied the knot in a sleek Tom Ford suit, and his groomsmen sported Tom Ford as well.
Timberlake and Biel tied the knot in front of 150 guests at Puglia, Italy‘s posh Borgo Egnazia resort. While ‘NSYNC might not have been on the guest list, attendees included “Saturday Night Live” alum Andy Samberg and Biel’s “7th Heaven” co-star Beverley Mitchell.
Justin Timberlake Finally Debuts New Music … At His Wedding
Leave it to Justin Timberlake to kick up the romance at his Southern Italy wedding Friday, wooing his new bride with a memorable serenade.
The Puglia wedding reception was DJed by none other than the ubiquitous Roots drummer, ?uestlove, who, according to Us Weekly, spun Justin Timberlake records, but not a single *NSYNC track. However, Timberlake more than made up for the lack of “Bye Bye Bye” with his own special performance of a yet-to-be-released song dedicated to his blushing bride, Jessica Biel.
Check out a timeline of Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel’s love!
“It was magical,” Timberlake revealed to People. “It was an unforgettable evening.” Biel, echoing her husband’s sentiments, gushed, “It was a fantasy.”
The longtime couple, first spotted together in January 2007, was surrounded by an intimate gathering of family and friends for the big wedding weekend, including Timberlake’s frequent comedic collaborator, Andy Samberg, Jimmy Fallon and Biel’s “7th Heaven” co-star, Beverley Mitchell.
“It’s great to be married. The ceremony was beautiful, and it was so special to be surrounded by our family and friends,” the couple had told People of the nuptials, which took place at Puglia’s luxurious Borgo Egnazia seaside resort.
While details of the top-secret affair are slowly unraveling, we will continue hunting YouTube for any sort of evidence of the serenade and wondering if Timberlake’s legendary dance moves were at all included. Surely famous tweeter ?uestlove must’ve recorded it, right?
Do you think we’ll hear Justin’s love song, or should Jessica keep it for herself? Let us know what you think in the comments!
One Direction’s ‘Live While We’re Young’ Follows In Boy-Band Tradition
As you are probably aware, on Thursday (September 20), One Direction unveiled their brand-new video for “Live While We’re Young,” a rollicking three-minute romp through all your summer camp memories that also carves out ample time for the guys to appear shirtless.
Here’s the plot: One Direction and their hair products go camping. 1D fans will love watching Harry, Niall, Liam, Zayn and Louis goof around in the great outdoors, strum acoustic guitars, tool around in a Jeep and engage in all manner of water play. They will probably get jealous of the girls who get to bop around a campfire with them, and will certainly agree that the five guys have never looked better (or hotter, whatever). In every conceivable way, the video is a win/win, and will probably have been viewed 14 bazillion times by the time this story publishes.
In other words, “Live While We’re Young” is a One Direction video … possibly their best, though who really bothers keeping track of these things? I’m 34 years old, so certainly this clip was not made with me in mind, though leave it to this old timer to bring up one point, and, in a way, praise the video because of it: “Young” is sort of brilliant, in a really bizarre way.
See, the history of boy bands is filled with clips like this, where we find the handsome guys messing around to maximum effect. The Beatles and the Monkees made videos like this (back then, said hijinks were usually played at twice the normal speed, for hilarity’s sake), and so did the New Kids on the Block, ‘NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. It is practically a time-honored tradition, in a genre where time is almost certainly the enemy. And I’d like to think that the guys in One Direction are smart enough to realize this, which is why they seem to be playing up the sheer ridiculousness of the concept. When they are singing into giant inflatable microphones or splashing around in a pond, they’re doing it knowingly, and it’s all they can do to hide the wry smiles from their perfectly boned faces. You’ve got to admire them for that.
Call it clever, or just call it the latest 1D video … either way, it doesn’t matter. “Live While We’re Young” is sure to please their fervent fans, and only further launch the band on their trajectory toward superstardom. You don’t have to like it, but you can’t deny it, either. One Direction know what they’re doing, and they do it well. Even when they’re in on the joke.
Do you think the One Direction video is inadvertently genius? Let us know in the comments!
New Kids On The Block Want Some MTV VMA Love!
It’s a big year for boy bands at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. Both the Wanted and One Direction are up for Moonmen, and the two nominees will be there when the big show kicks off on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
And while the U.K. groups are following in the footsteps of acts like the Backstreet Boys and ‘NSYNC, who also had their time to shine in the Video Music Awards glory, there’s one boy band who isn’t feeling the VMA glow. New Kids on the Block say it’s about time they got to shine too.
“We want an astronaut,” Joey McIntyre declared to MTV News, referring to the iconic Moonman trophy, when we caught up with the guys recently.
Joey’s bandmate Donnie Wahlberg seemed to have quite the burn book of boy bands who had taken home something at the VMAs, and he wasn’t afraid to name names. “Backstreet Boys get VMAs, the Wanted’s nominated. ‘NSYNC, I know won a whole bunch; they performed with Michael Jackson on the VMAs.”
Wahlberg’s plea for a last-minute nomination didn’t end there, as he added, “Hey, MTV, just nominate us for something!”
Unfortunately, the guys are out of luck for 2012, since we’re only three days away from the main event, which will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles at 8 p.m., with our pre-show at 7 p.m. and the “Jersey Shore” special “Gym, Tan, Look Back” at 6 p.m. But, maybe, they can set their feelings aside and just feel good that boy bands are getting plenty of love at the show?
One Direction and the Wanted are both up for Best New Artist, thanks to their very different, beach-themed clips (The Wanted for their party-filled “Glad You Came” and 1D for their wholesome “What Makes You Beautiful”). One Direction even nabbed a nomination for Best Pop Video. The Wanted will be on hand to present, while 1D are set to take the stage for a performance.
The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards are set to go live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. But before it all goes down, don’t miss our “Jersey Shore” special “Gym, Tan, Look Back” at 6 p.m. and our pre-show with Demi Lovato at 7 p.m.! And head over to VMA.MTV.com to vote on Best New Artist and Most Share-Worthy Video!
One Direction, The Wanted VMA Rivalry Recalls Old-School Backstreet, ‘NSYNC Battles
It’s a big year for boy bands at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. With both performers One Direction and presenters The Wanted up for Moonmen, it’s kind of like Y2K all over again.
About a decade ago, there were two other boy bands also making waves and setting girls’ hearts aflutter. Those guys? Backstreet Boys and ‘NSYNC. Back in the late ’90s and early aughts, two groups of heartthrobs ruled the world, the charts and, of course, the VMAs. With both the Wanted and One Direction being newbies to the VMAs, they still have a lot of catching up to do to approach the VMA magnitude of their predecessors.
Between BSB and ‘NSYNC, the groups have a combined nine awards (two for BSB, seven for ‘NSYNC) and five performances (two for BSB and three for ‘NSYNC). So, before One Direction and the Wanted storm the Staples Center on September 6, they might want to take some notes on what their precursors did all those years ago.
Then
The Backstreet Boys kicked off the last VMA boy-band craze in 1998, when they took home the Best Group Video for their creepy “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” video. That same year they also took the stage to perform the track.
One year later, in 1999, BSB won the Viewer’s Choice prize for “I Want It That Way.” They also performed a medley that included the classic tune, off their Millennium album, also amping up the crowd with “Larger Than Life.” While ‘NSYNC wouldn’t take home any prizes that year, it would mark the first time they would take the stage. In a schoolroom setting, the boys, along with Britney Spears (also her first performance), played a mash-up of their “Tearin’ Up My Heart” with Spears’ “… Baby One More Time.”
Backstreet took a break in 2000 as ‘NSYNC won three Moonmen for their video for “Bye Bye Bye,” taking home Viewer’s Choice, Best Pop Video and Best Choreography. They also did a medley that included “This I Promise You,” “Bye, Bye, Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me.”
It was a triumphant year for the Backstreet Boys in 2001. The nominees welcomed back to the group A.J. McLean, who made his first post-rehab appearance with the guys at the big show. ‘NSYNC also had a reason to celebrate, nabbing four trophies for “Pop” (Best Group Video, Best Dance Video, Best Pop Video, Viewer’s Choice). As if that weren’t enough, the guys were joined by the one and only Michael Jackson, who showed off his smooth moves during their legendary performance.
Now
While 2012 marks a true return to form for boy bands, they had a mini-resurgence in 2008, when the Jonas Brothers were nominated for Best New Artist and performed at the show. But it would take four years for the “love bug” to get caught by pop music lovers again. With the show approaching, the Wanted and One Direction face off in Best New Artist. 1D also nabbed two more nominations for Best Pop Video and Most Share-Worthy Video.
The Wanted will be at the show to serve not just as nominees but also as presenters, while fellow contenders 1D will take the stage for their first-ever VMA performance. Can these two groups reignite the world’s interest in boy bands like BSB and ‘NSYNC once did? Tune in to the VMAs on September 6 to find out.
Are you excited to see what the Wanted and One Direction have planned for the VMAs? Tell us in the comments!
The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Head to VMA.MTV.com or text BNA to 22444 (message and data rates may apply) to vote for Best New Artist all the way through the show! Get the latest VMA updates sent right to your inbox: Sign up for the MTV News alert.
Britney Spears’ Slithering ‘Slave 4 U’ Tops Artists’ Most Epic VMA Moment
The Video Music Awards stage has given fans some of the most mind blowing performances of all time, and with Rihanna, One Direction, Taylor Swift and Pink all set to take the stage this year, it’s safe to say that another epic moment will be added to the list.
Which VMA moment was the most epic? Vote in our Newsroom poll!
Yet, when looking back at artists who have made a career of memorable VMA moments, one person always comes to mind: Britney Spears.
The pop diva made her VMA debut in 1999, sharing the stage with *NSYNC and performing her hit “…Baby One More Time.” The following year, Spears took things to a whole new level. Hitting the stage in a glittery tux singing “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” a then-18-year-old Spears ripped off the suit revealing a skin-colored ensemble, showing off impeccable dance moves as she transitioned into an unforgettable performance of “Oops!…I Did it Again.”
For the third year in a row, Spears was tapped to perform at the 2001 Video Music Awards in New York City. Many wondered if Spears would be able to top the strip-teasing, jaw dropping moment of “Oops!”, but all doubts were cast aside when she hit the stage. Performing “I’m a Slave 4 U” for the first time, Spears opened the song in a jungle-type setting, emerging from a cage with a white tiger by her side. After two minutes of heart-pounding dance moves, Spears saunters to the back of the stage to put a live python around her next, instantaneously making this performance an iconic VMA moment.
MTV News recently caught up with “Demonstrate” singer JoJo, who grew up idolizing Spears, and she revealed that the moment Spears performed “Slave,” it instantly topped her list of VMA memories.
“It will always stick out for me probably because the age I was and what Britney meant to me, what she means for a lot of people, ” JoJo said. “When she came out with the snake around her, it was ‘Wow!’ “
Yet, JoJo isn’t the only one. More than a decade later, and many performances in between, Spears’ snake dance still resonates as a top moment in VMA history and a favorite memory among artists.
“I’m gonna go with Britney Spears,” Max George from The Wanted told MTV News of his favorite VMA performance.
“My favorite moment has to be Britney Spears “Slave 4 U,” Karmin‘s Amy Heidemann said. “[She] comes out with the snake on her neck and she’s dancing around and crazy. I was like I must do that with my life, it was so cool.”
98 Degrees member Jeff Timmons agreed. “When Britney did ‘Slave,’ I think that was the first time she did ‘Slave’ with the snake and she looked super sexy, that was pretty cool.”
Spears herself was feeling nostalgic recently about the performance, tweeting earlier this month, “Sometimes I wonder what this snake is up to these days… Anybody know where it’s at? Haha.”
Shortly after, she followed up, tweeting, “Snake update: I’ve heard she’s alive and well, and that her name is Banana! This makes me smile 
”
Of course, there have been many more unforgettable Video Music Award performances, and we want to know your favorite, so make sure you vote in our “VMA Epic Moments” poll, and watch the results on AMTV, Wednesday September 5.
Which performer will create a memorable performance at the 2012 Video Music Awards? Find out Thursday September 6, when Alicia Keys, Green Day, Frank Ocean and more take the stage.
The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Head to VMA.MTV.com or text BNA to 22444 (message and data rates may apply) to vote for Best New Artist all the way through the show! Get the latest VMA updates sent right to your inbox: Sign up for the MTV News alert.
Justin Vs. Justin: Can Bieber Take Timberlake’s Crown?
It’s hard to remember now, but there was a time a decade ago when Justin Timberlake elicited the same kind of screaming mobs of young girls that Justin Bieber does now. But these two pop icons have way more in common than just the same first name and the undying devotion of the ladies.
Both have conquered the pop music universe in a massive way, sold millions of albums and helped fundamentally change what is considered appropriate material for young male singers.
“I think .. the comparison is a huge honor,” Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun, told MTV News about the numerous reviews comparing Bieber’s evolution and sound to Timberlake’s. “That is an iconic artist and someone who, when I was growing up, really set the tone for stars the same way Justin Bieber is for his generation … A compliment of that nature is something that we embrace, but at the same time I think it’s the easy comparison. I like to say things no one else will say: They’re both white and both their names are Justin. That’s the thing that everyone thinks but they won’t say out loud. And I think the two of them feel that way.”
To celebrate the release this week of Bieber’s second full-length album, Believe, we thought we’d take a look at how the Justins’ careers stack up against each other.
Sales: Though he’s only released two solo albums in his 10-year career outside of ‘NSYNC, Timberlake has hit it big both times, moving more than 10 million units of 2002′s Grammy-winning Justified and an equal number for 2006′s FutureSex/LoveSounds. Bieber busted out of the box in 2009 with the EP My World, which sold 3.2 million copies in the U.S. He followed with another EP, My World 2.0, which sold another 3.1 million copies in the U.S. His Christmas disc, Under the Mistletoe moved around 1.5 million and total world sales have put him in the 15 million range. But, given that Timberlake is semi-retired from music and Believe is expected to be one of the year’s best sellers, it won’t be long before the student should overtake the master.
Advantage: Timberlake (for now)
Social Media: Timberlake may have Bieber on sales at the moment, but nobody has leveraged social media more than the kid who got discovered on YouTube. Bieber’s social media numbers are gawdy: 23.6 million Twitter followers, 44.5 million Facebook likes, more than 2.9 billion YouTube views, including nearly 750 million for the video for his breakthrough single, “Baby” and another 321 million for “Never Say Never.” By contrast, Timberlake has staked out a smaller social media presence, amassing 12 million followers on Twitter, 16.1 million likes on Facebook and nearly 240 million YouTube views of his videos.
Advantage: Bieber
Big-Screen Success: Bieber’s concert movie, “Never Say Never,” has taken its place as the highest-grossing concert movie of all-time with more than $73 million to date. While Bieber is expanding his movie palette with an upcoming debut dramatic role in a Mark Wahlberg basketball movie, Timberlake has already blazed a formidable trail in acting, which has become his primary focus. Counting animated films featuring his voice and such hits as “The Social Network” ($96 million), “Bad Teacher” ($100 million) and “Yogi Bear” ($100 million), Timberlake’s films have grossed nearly $450 million to date.
Advantage: Timberlake
Expanding the Brand: While neither Justin has gone all-in on merchandising their name like some other pop stars (50 Cent, Jennifer Lopez), both have extended their brands in interesting ways. Bieber has released two perfumes (Girlfriend and Someday), a line of nail polish, a doll and a book. Timberland has a successful clothing line (William Rast), scents for men and women (Play for Him and Play for Her) a record label (Tennman Records), a golf course in his hometown of Memphis (Mirimichi), restaurant (Southern Hospitality) and a line of tequila (901).
Advantage: Timberlake
Precociousness: Sure, Timberlake got there first thanks to his time on the Mickey Mouse Club and in ‘NSYNC, but he was an ancient 21 years old when he released his solo debut. Bieber is just 18 and is already on his fourth release, with a movie, books, several sold-out world tours under his belt and, like, Timberlake (Britney Spears), a very public romance with a fellow pop star (Selena Gomez). The comparisons will keep coming, but at the torrid pace he’s moving, Bieber is well on his way to eclipsing Timberlake by the time he’s old enough to drink. Your move, T.
Advantage: Bieber
How do you think the careers of Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber compare? Leave your comments below!
