Newly reunited NSYNC kept it real for their episode of the YouTube series “Hot Ones” — their first official interview since surprising the world with an appearanceat the MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month.
Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass and Joey Fatone assembled around a table to eat the show’s unbearably hot chicken wings while host Sean Evans asked them about some of their most memorable pop culture moments.
When asked about some of the members making cameos in 2002’s“Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones,”Timberlake revealed he and Bass were “so butt hurt” they weren’t included. Meanwhile, Kirkpatrick, Chasez, and Fatone revealed they had to learn some light-saber “choreography” since they were cast as Jedi. In the end, the clip with the NSYNC boys was scrapped and both Timberlake and Bass joked about feeling relieved that their bandmates had been cut out of the film.
Timberlake was also asked about his infamous “It’s Gonna Be May” meme and explained that the switch from “Me” to “May” was a specific note that came from Swedish songwriter-producer Max Martin.
“The parts of their English that were broken actually made them catchier songwriters, because they would put words away they almost didn’t make sense but when you sang them, they were more memorable,” said Timberlake.
The last question Evans asked was more of a fun prompt for the band to build a Mount Rushmore or best-of ranking comprised of their biggest hits. But at this point in the show, guests have just finished biting into some of the hottest wings on their plate, making the questions just a tad bit more difficult to decipher.
“I don’t even know what the fuck you just said,” responded Fatone while wiping his drooling lips on his suit. After a brief debate, Bass delivered their final list: “I Thought She Knew,” “Bye Bye Bye,” “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “Drive Myself Crazy,” and “This I Promise You” as an honorable mention.
The band also shared some intel on their new song together called “Better Place” which will appear in the upcoming“Trolls Band Together”movie. They said the new song makes the most of their old sound but still feels “modern.”
“For our fans that have been with us for so long, you know to give them something that felt not necessarily nostalgic but familiar,” said Timberlake. Added Chasez, “When we listen to the world today we’re obviously influenced by 20 years of experiences but we still want to give them us.”
“Better Place” will be available on Sept. 29, while “Trolls Band Together” premieres in theaters Nov. 17.
Watch the episode below.
