Shocking Revelation: *NSYNC's Lance Bass Earned Paltry Sums at Peak of Fame
Lance Bass of *NSYNC has disclosed surprisingly low earnings during the band's peak, claiming he received only $35 a day despite their immense commercial success. He alleges that significant profits went to their label and late manager Lou Pearlman, who was later convicted of fraud. Bass emphasized that despite their fame, the band members were not wealthy from their *NSYNC career.
Lance Bass, a member of the iconic pop group *NSYNC, has revealed surprising details about his earnings during the band's peak fame, claiming he received a mere $35 per day as a per diem. Despite *NSYNC's global success, which included numerous No. 1 albums, sold-out tours, and massive merchandise sales, Bass stated that his first substantial check amounted to only $10,000, received years into their career. He recalled being told he should be grateful for this sum, as he had effectively been 'working for free' for two to three years.
Bass, who shared the stage with Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Joey Fatone, has consistently pushed back against the public perception of him being 'filthy rich' from his time with *NSYNC. He clarified, stating, 'I didn’t make money with *NSYNC, like, hardly at all.' While he still receives residuals, he describes them as 'not much,' noting that he earned significantly more after the band went on hiatus in 2002. He alleged that the majority of the profits were directed elsewhere, specifically claiming that 'the label' and their late manager, Lou Pearlman, 'made a f–k ton.'
Lou Pearlman, the music impresario responsible for both *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, was later convicted in 2008 on charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and bankruptcy fraud, stemming from a prolonged Ponzi scheme. Pearlman ultimately died in prison in 2016. Despite the financial injustices he experienced, Bass expressed that he no longer carries resentment, though he maintains that he was shortchanged. He lamented that 'No one set us up for life after that,' reflecting on the lack of long-term financial security for the band members.
Bass's revelations stand in stark contrast to *NSYNC's undeniable commercial dominance. The group remains one of Billboard's best-selling acts, with their 2000 album, *No Strings Attached*, selling a then-record 2.4 million copies in its first week and spending eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Their hit single 'Bye Bye Bye' became a signature track, and 'It’s Gonna Be Me' achieved their only Billboard Hot 100 No. 1. Their subsequent album, *Celebrity* (2001), also debuted at No. 1, and the *No Strings Attached* tour alone grossed over $70 million. The group even briefly reunited in 2023 for a new single, 'Better Place.' Bass had previously addressed the band's finances in a 2023 interview, stating, 'We were famous, but we were not rich.'