| Hair Scare |
| Joey Fatone out-tints the rest of 'N Sync as the band-mate most likely to invest in Manic Panic. |
| A.J. McLean is the Backstreet Boys most likely to bleach.When not covering his head with a bandanna or cap, A.J. sports a head full of color. |
| Sibling Rivalry |
| Steve Fatone,Joey's brother,is everywhere 'N Sync goes, from concert tapings to award shows.And he always has that pesky video camera. |
| The Carter clan churns out young talent like Detroit churns out cars.Getting in the pop-star action are Nick's younger sibs.Aaron and Leslie Carter. |
| Not to be out-done by the Carters,the Doroughs want to Show the pop world what they've got.Howie's older sis,Pollyanna,will release her debut album this year,with the help of her Backstreet bro. |
| Court Battles |
| When 'N Sync jumped ship and left Trans Continental Records,they were hit with a gigantic lawsuit in the fall of 1999.To the relief of millions of fans,the $150 million lawsuit was settled discreetly. |
| Justin Timberlake was in hot water for allegedly verbally abusing and physically intimidating a teenage fan in St. Louis who reportedly asked for his autograph in a hotel.As he ignored and walked past her,she shouted, "JC's much cuter anyway!" Soon she claims,she was whisked by an 'N Sync security guard to Justin's room,where he scolded her. |
| The Backstreet Boys had their own issues after parting with Trans Continental.Backstreet lawyers juggled five lawsuits,ending in numerous settlements. |
| Cheesiest Video |
| 'N Sync's "nature" video for "This I Promise You" is pure cheese.The guys sing to their true loves from a magical forrest,and at the video's end they abruptly materialize at a cafe. |
| Backstreet Boys defined cheese with their 1997 video for "Quit Playing Games(With My Heart)." The guys looked anguished and cold while singing in the rain.And the slow-motion tummy shots of Howie's toned abs weren't so much sexy as they were laughable. |
| Biggest Tearjerker |
| 'N Sync's resident heart-throb,Justin Timberlake,broke hearts with the revelation of his long-term relationship with everyone's favorite pop tart,Briney Spears. |
| Two of the Backstreet Men in 2000 as Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell married their long-term girlfriends. |
| Brian's heart broke the hearts of fans worldwide,with news of his surgery in 1998.But Brian's childhood heart defect was repaired,and now he's as healthy as ever. |
| Extracurricular Activities |
| In between touring and rehearsing with 'N Sync, Lance Bass has begun FreeLance Entertainment,a management company for young talent. |
| Backstreet Boys Kevin,Howie (who own Tabu,a nightclub in Orlando)and Nick are getting into real estate developments.First up,a convention center and 300-room hotel in Huntsville,Alabama. |
| Outrageous Outfits |
| You'd think selling millions of albums would guarantee enough money to get a really good stylist.Think again.What exactly was JC thinking at the American Music Awards? |
| Who can forget A.J.'s 1999 MTV Awards outfit?During the performance of "Larger Than Life," he sported a black half shirt.When exactly did the BSB bad boy become Prince,circa 1984? |
| Most Rabid Fans |
| Two teenaged girls swiped Brian and Leighanne's precious pups,Lil' Tyke and Lil' Leigh,from their home in Atlanta.After a few desperate days-the dogs are returned. |
| 'N Sync fans Lauren Amato and Aubrey Hawblitz united to persuade Justin to keep his curly locks.The girls began a "Hell,no,the 'fro can't go" campaign on the Internet to keep his hair intact(www.naturallycurly.com). |
| Charitable Cause |
| The guys of 'N Sync are having a "ball" with their Challenge For The Children charity basketball games.At last year's New York ball jam,the guys raised $550,000 for their charity. |
| Chris is concentrating on a serious cause as the spokesperson for Child Watch,an organization that helps reunite kidnapped or runaway children with their families. |
| Howie has been busy raising dough for a charity very close to his heart.The Caroline Dorough Cochran Lupus Foundation,named after his late sister,supports research,education and financial assitance for Lupus sufferers.Among the fundraising events,Howie has performed various solo shows and even took donors on a cruise to Mexico. |
| Last fall,the Boys autographed four Nintendo Game Boys for charity.The collector's items were part of the "Nite To Unite For Kids" charity auction,sponsored by Amazon.com,which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. |
| They Act,Too |
| Joey has two flicks on the horizon.He plays Angelo in My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Anthony Sabatino in The Brothers. |
| On the Backstreet front,you can catch Brian and A.J. in Olive Juice,the romantic comedy starring Brian's bride,Leighanne Wallace. |
Will the battle between 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys ever be over?Nah! It's way too much fun to see what these super groups will do.
