Could there be a hotter band than 'N Sync? First, they sell like, a zillion copies of their new CD No Strings Attached, then they sell out their tour almost instantly! These guys may be huge, but their egos are anything but. Read on for the exclusive scoop on their worst habits, their secrets passions, and shh--their upcoming movie!
Chris Kirkpatrick: born Oct. 17, 1971 in Clarion, PA
Q: So why did you decide to cut your braids?
A: I just needed a change. It was getting old. For a long time I was the only one in the group who had any color or anything on my head. But when everybody jumps on, you jump off.
Q: What's the best compliment somebody could give you?
A: That they appreciate the music. It's always nice to hear, "Oh I love you, you're cute," and stuff like that, but I think the best compliment is when someone appreciates what we've done and what we're doing to pop music.
Q: What could a girl do to really warm your heart?
A: I like a girl who can sing. I would love it if a girl had a really beautiful voice and she, like, hummed in my ear.
Q: What makes you smile?
A: My dog. I just got a new one named Buster. [sic]
Q: Complete this sentence: I'm a (blank) type of guy.
A: I'm a roll-with-the-punches type of guy.
Q: What was your favorite song when you were little?
A: You know what I used to like when I was kid? [sic] "Hey Jude." I was a big Paul McCartney fan. I learned to play guitar backwards because my sister and I would act like we were The Beatles and I'd always be Paul, and whenever I'd strum the guitar, I'd strum left-handed. Then I had to flip it and it took me a long time to get used to right-handed guitar.
Q: If you weren't singing, you'd be...?
A: Broke!
Justin Timberlake: born Jan. 31, 1981 in Memphis, TN
Q: 'N Sync went through some tough times this past year with the lawsuit and changing labels. What did you do to keep your mood upbeat?
A: We just stuck together. We had each other, and that's what really got us through the whole thing.
Q: What do you think would surprise your fans the most about you?
A: I think people's first impression of me is a bit misleading, because when I first meet people, I keep to myself. I listen before I speak.
Q: So you're way more outgoing than people might think?
A: Yeah.
Q: What's your worst habit?
A: My procrastination habits are overwhelming. But my worst habit is probably...that I take everything to heart, really I do. Especially the music that we do because it means so much to me. So I think I'm a bit sensitive.
Q: What are some of your favorite comfort foods?
A: When I eat my granny's cooking, I feel like I'm back home. I love her peach cobbler. It's to die for. She makes great pecan pie--she makes great everything. She's an incredible cook.
Q: What's the best compliment you think somebody could give you?
A: "Love your new album, I really respect your music."
Q: What would be your ideal date?
A: I like to surprise people. I'd show up and just take somebody out to a nice restaurant, or bungee jumping, or something. I like the element of surprise. I think it's extra special.
Q: What could a girl do to really warm your heart?
A: Get to know me, take the time. I think a girl should do something that a guy would do--surprise me like a guy would. Show up and take me out to dinner, take me somewhere. You often hear about a guy doing that, but when a girl does that, it's attractive! To do something like that really shows self-confidence.
Q: Who knows you best?
A: My mom. There's not a day that goes by where I don't talk to her.
Q: What kind of music would you put on a mix tape?
A: D'Angelo, Maxwell, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Lenny Kravitz, some hip hop.
Q: Have you ever had a crush on a friend and worked up enough guts to tell her?
A: Yeah. I did have enough guts, it just didn't work out. It just didn't go to the next level. We stayed friends though, so it was cool. But if I have feelings for somebody, I'm honest and I just tell them. I don't waste time.
Lance Bass: born on May 4, 1979 in Laurel, MS
Q: Do you miss being at home in Mississippi?
A: Yeah, I do. I love all my friends and family, and when you're away from them for so long, you definitely realize how much you miss them. I love going home and seeing all my friends and getting to sleep in my own bed!
Q: You did some acting on 7th Heaven this year. Did you enjoy it?
A: I enjoyed it immensely! I got on the set and everyone was so professional and so nice and really talented. I was very impressed. I'll definitely be coming back next season. Rick will be coming back!
Q: Are you for or against PDA?
A: Well, there are different levels of PDA. Like if you get a nice kiss, or hold hands or that kind of stuff, that's fine. But I don't like it when people are just going at it in front of someone. It's like, "Hello, get a room."
Q: Have you ever had a crush on a friend, and if you did, did you do anything about it?
A: Yeah, that's how all my relationships happen. I don't think I've ever dated anyone who wasn't a friend first. I always have to get to know them first, then they become one of my best friends, and then we just start dating.
Q: Is it tough to make the transition from friends to more?
A: Well, a lot of my friends who are girls, I'll get too close to, and then I could never see myself dating them because they're like my sister. I do that a lot. But with the ones I really want to go out with, it's fine.
Q: What would be your ideal date?
A: It would have to be adventurous. I love horseback riding. It's one of my favorite things to do, 'cause then you can actually talk. A picnic is always nice, too. You've got to do something that you can talk about later. Like if you go scuba diving, that's something you can talk about, "Remember when we went scuba diving and that sea turtle bit you?" And doing something that your date has never done before is good. You want to show them something different.
Q: Do you have any pet peeves?
A: I don't like to waste time. If I sit still too long, I feel like I'm wasting my time. I like everything to be on schedule.
Joey Fatone: born Jan. 28, 1977 in Brooklyn, NY
Q: Tell us about the 'N Sync movie.
A: The five of us are going to be doing a movie in August with Tom Hanks' film company, Playtone. The movie is called Why Can't I Be You. It's a high school, American Pie-ish kind of thing. We're not playing ourselves, and there are other people in it as well. It's going to be fun.
Q: What would you say is your worst habit?
A: Biting my nails. And I talk a lot--I ramble on.
Q: What would surprise your fans to know about you?
A: That I sucked in school! I was awful in school! I did so many other things, like chorus, dance, and drama, that I was never in class.
Q: What's your favorite food?
A: Pizza. Usually plain, sometimes pepperoni.
Q: Have you ever had a crush on one of your friends?
A: Yeah, I dated her, and then we split up because we were better off being friends. It's hard because when you date somebody it changes your whole outlook and you get all weird and stuff. There's nothing to say how it's going to work.
Q: What could a girl do to really warm your heart?
A: Stick me in a tanning bed! No really, take me out, talk, get to know me.
Q: So how do you feel about PDA?
A: Sometimes I'm against it, sometimes I'm not. Because if you love somebody that much that you just can't help it and you gotta kiss them, do it! Then there are some times, of course, not to do it. I don't do it often.
Q: Do you remember your first kiss?
A: Oh yeah! I was probably about 10 or 11, and I got pushed into a closet with a friend of mine, Lisa. It was dark and for some reason we just started kissing, but it wasn't the real kiss with your tongue. It was the funniest thing--we just moved our mouths. I remember I was sweating like crazy, because I was so nervous. When we first got pushed into the closet, we were like, "Hey, get us out!" But then we started kissing and the door opened, and I was like, "No, close the door!" I wanted to stay in there.
Q: What makes you smile?
A: Everything. I'm always happy. I'm a happy-go-lucky person. I'm very optimistic.
J.C. Chasez: born August 8. 1976, in D.C.
Q: Which artist would you absolutely love to work with?
A: I'd love to work with Michael Jackson. If his new album wasn't done, I'd give him a call right now.
Q: Who do you think knows you best?
A: Probably these guys. They pretty much know what I'm going to say before I even say it.
Q: What are some of your fave comfort foods?
A: I love soup. I absolutely think soup is the greatest thing on the planet! I can't say enough about it. Then there's Chinese food--those are my two favorites. Wonton soup is one of my favorite soups, and I love chicken and rice soup.
Q: Complete this sentence: I'm a (blank) type of guy.
A: It's weird to describe myself in one word. Everyone's a little bit of everything. But I would almost say moody.
Q: What's the best compliment someone could give you guys?
A: I love when people recognize that we're humble, we're real. It puts me at ease to know that people still think that we're down to earth.
Q: What makes you smile?
A: Thinking about family. Watching my little brother play baseball, watching my little sister, and my mom and dad.
Q: What's your worst habit?
A: I'm a procrastinator, big time. And I don't read enough books. I'm pretty frustrated that I don't get a chance to read. I haven't read a book in months.
Q: What would be your ideal girl?
A: I could have a great time sitting at home and watching TV and chatting away as long as the conversation's good. To me, that's an amazing date. Then again, we could go skydiving and have the crap scared out of us and share an adventure, and that's a good date, too.
Q: What do you look for in a girl?
A: I just want somebody to challenge me. It's not often that a girl will make me go "Oomph!" If she can do it, she's the one.