'N Sync: the Teen reader interview

Transplant News, Dec, 1998

Sure, you'd love to sit down for an up-close-and-personal chat with singing sensation 'N Sync, but hey, they're busy, you're busy.... Well, here's the next best thing: The questions you just had to ask, taken from your most recent batch of letters and e-mails, answered by Chris, Lance, J.C., Joey and Justin themselves!

How would you describe each other?

Joey: J.C. is the quiet one, Chris is the clown, Justin's athletic and Lance is shy.

Chris: Justin is the athlete, but Joey's the clown. Lance is very professional, and J.C. is sensitive.

Justin: Joey is the womanizer, and Lance is the businessman. Chris is psycho, J.C. is sleepy.

J.C.: Lance is all business, Chris is crazy, Joey's a flirt and Justin is a real well-rounded guy.

Lance: Justin is sporty, Joey is flirty, J.C. is serious and Chris is wild.

How has success affected your life?

J.C.: It's a great way to meet different kinds of people. You have less free time, but it makes me want to work even harder.

Joey: It's very flattering, but you have no private life.

Lance: It makes me feel good to know people enjoy seeing me out on the street and meeting me.

You guys are really well-known, but what's something most people would be surprised to learn about you?

Lance: I'm very ashamed of it, but I do have a Beanie Babies collection!

Chris: I wear glasses.

Joey: I've done Shakespearean plays.

Justin: My age. [At 17, he's the baby of the bunch.]

J.C.: That I'm full of energy - even though I love to sleep!

Who are some of your musical influences?

Chris: Boyz II Men and Az Yet.

Justin: Take 6 and Brian McKnight.

Lance: I like every type of music there is!

J.C.: Sting - he's awesome.

Joey: Boyz II Men and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers [the "doo-wop" singing group whose leader was the subject of the movie Why Do Fools Fell in Love].

If you could sing with anyone else, who would it be and why?

Lance: LeAnn Rimes or Garth Brooks. I think it would be interesting to mix pop and country.

Justin: Take 6 or Brian McKnight. I really look up to them - they're incredible.

J.C.: Janet Jackson, 'cause it would be a heck of a dance video!

Joey: Yeah, Janet Jackson cause she's so good at what she does.

Chris: Busta Rhymes - his songs are the best!

How do you deal with feeling homesick when you travel?

Justin: I call my mom every day.

Lance: I usually call all my family and friends.

J.C.: Sometimes I bring my parents on the road.

Since you spend so much time together, what bugs you about each other?

Lance: Chris eats too much sugar at times and gets way too hyper. And Justin is cranky in the morning.

Chris: Joey makes annoying sounds.

J.C.: Yeah, when Joey yawns he makes annoying sounds.

Joey: J.C. always goes to bed early.

Justin: J.C. is way too serious. Just kidding!

What are the qualities you look for in a girl?

Justin: I like confidence and a sense of humor.

J.C.: Confidence, yes, plus patience and honesty.

Lance: I like a good girl, someone who's very innocent.

Chris: Just a great personality.

Joey: Personality!

Who are your role models?

Joey: My parents, because they encouraged me and helped me become who I am today.

Lance: My family. I learned everything I know from them.

J.C.: My parents! They always made sure I had opportunities and made sure I did what I wanted to do.

Chris: My mom and Jesus - they inspire me.

Justin: My parents. They've always been there for me when I needed them.

must-know 'n sync info

Joey

Full name: Joseph Anthony Fatone Jr. Nicknames: Party Animal, Phat One Birth date: January 29, 1976 Birthplace: Brooklyn, N.Y. Hobbies: Watching movies, dancing Fave films: Billy Madison, My Life Fave movie stars: Jodie Foster, Robert De Niro Fave food: Italian (especially lasagna) Loves: Collecting Superman stuff Hates: Fake people

Chris

Full name: Christopher Alan Kirkpatrick Nicknames: Lucky, Crazy Birth date: October 17, 1971 Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pa. Hobbies: Writing, in-line skating, street hockey, surfing Fare film: Mad Max Fare movie stars: Audrey Hepburn, Mel Gibson Fare food: Pizza Loves: Hanging on the beach Hates: Remembering when his dad died

J.C.

Full name: Joshua Scott Chasez Nickname: J.C. (as if you had to ask) Birth date: August 8, 1976 Birthplace: Washington, D.C. Hobbies: Football, swimming, karate Fare films: The Star Wars series Fave movie stars: Meg Ryan, Harrison Ford Fare food: Chinese Loves: Shakespeare Hates: Liars

Lance

Full name: James Lance Bass Nicknames: Scoop, Lansten Birth date: May 4, 1979 Birthplace: Laurel, Miss. Hobbies: Jet skiing Fare film: Clue Fare movie star:. Tom Hanks Fave food: French toast Loves: Adventure Hates: His hair

Justin

Full name: Justin Randall Timberlake Nicknames: Curly, Bounce, Baby, Mr. Smooth Birth date: January 31, 1981 Birthplace: Memphis, Tenn. Hobbies: Basketball, shopping Fare movie star:. Sandra Bullock Fare food: Cereal (especially Apple Jacks) Loves: A girl with a good sense of humor Hates: Snakes

RELATED ARTICLE: what's new 'n sync

Hoping for something special this season? Hint heavily about seeing 'N Sync in concert! You could say their road trip with Janet Jackson was just a warm-up for their own headlining tour, which runs from November 20 to December 31. Of course, new music by 'N Sync is a pretty special present too - and the holiday album Home for Christmas just hit stores. The 12-track disc has a balance of classics and too-cool originals. Also out now, 'N Sync The Official Book, written by the guys and including tons of pix. And if that's not enough 'N Sync for ya, be sure to catch the guys on the tube. They'll be appearing on the Disney Channel Christmas Special (December 5), ABC Walt Disney World Christmas Special (December 25) and Kathie Lee Christmas (airs Christmas week - check local listings for exact day and time). If after all this you still want that personal touch, write to the guys at 'N Sync, P.O. Box 692109, Orlando, FL 32869-2109. Plus, see page 115 for other celeb addresses.