*NSYNC Hotline Fantasy Phone & CD-ROM Game
Date: Aug. 25th
Source: nsyncwebguide.com, jhill@us.infogrames.com

Product Description
It’s the band everyone is talking about — *NSYNC! Their music is hot, their concerts are sold out and true fans want to stay connected. Now kids can hear and interact with all five members of the band on their own PC! With the *NSYNC Hotline Fantasy Phone and CD-ROM game, fans will hear the real voices of the band members, learn new facts about the band, play five fun games and see never-before-seen video footage of the guys. The personal “Fantasy Phone” acts as a game controller and direct link to secret email text messages from friends and surprise voice messages from the band. It’s the ultimate fan connection that lets kids feel like the #1 fan!

“Fantasy Phone” Features
- “Fantasy Phone” receives calls on and away from computer
- Voice mail and secret text message viewing capabilities
- LCD message screen identifies which band member is calling
- Answer Hotline game lets kids ask band members “yes”, “no” or “maybe” questions
- Phone connects into computer gameport via a connector cord
- Requires 3 AAA batteries

Game Features
- Five fun games include Quick Change, Bowling, Make-a-Move, Trivia and Charity Challenge
- Exclusive video and voice clips of the band
- Two modes of play for expanded gameplay
- Create and email customized *NSYNC greeting cards

Britney Was 'Nervous' Recording with Justin
Date: Aug. 25th
Source: mtv.com

Recording a song with boyfriend Justin Timberlake as a co-producer made Britney Spears "a little nervous," she says.

The song, "What It's Like to Be Me," was recorded during sessions for Spears' third album, due November 6. A track listing for the still-untitled album is starting to shape up, as are plans for a tour, which is set to begin October 26 in Miami.

At least three songs have made the cut and and are "definitely making the album," according to Spears' spokesperson at Jive Records. They include the first single, "I'm a Slave 4 U," written and produced by the Neptunes, as well as two songs produced by Rodney Jerkins: "Lonely" and a cover of the Arrows' "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," which Joan Jett & the Blackhearts rode to #1 in 1982

As for the much-talked-about Timberlake track, Spears told MTV Latin America last week that her boyfriend contributes backing vocals on the song and that her singing on "What It's Like to Be Me" is "the best vocals I've ever done." Timberlake wrote and produced the song with Wade Robson.

"I have to say I was a little nervous at first," Spears said of working with Timberlake. "I'm used to producers going in there and it's like work. And I go in and I work and I do my vocals and work. And I thought that it was awkward at first, because I was nervous recording with him doing my vocals. ...

"But then I just totally forgot that he was my boyfriend, and I just said, 'Britney, just do the vocals, don't be nervous, don't be retarded like this.' But it ended up being fine, actually. At the very end ... I got the best vocals I've ever done."

Justin and Chris on Wolverine Comic Book
Date: Aug. 23rd
Source: nsyncwebguide.com, X-Pider-Man

Hello, *NSyncers! Just letting you know that Justin and Chris will appear on August 29 comic book issue of Wolverine (#167). Just a friendly note, that this comic is not for little kid or for people who doesn't like violence. Read the following for more details:

According to the latest Journey Into Comics column at the Newsarama Web site, two members of pop sensations 'N Sync are set to appear in the upcoming "Bloodsport" arc in Wolverine, which begins in this month's issue #167.

Artist Dan Fraga, who is spelling regular Wolverine artist Sean Chen for the "Bloodsport" arc, is a friend of 'N Sync member Chris Kirkpatrick who, along with fellow band member Justin Timberlake, will both appear as members of the crowd cheering on the fighters in the Bloodsport in the first two issues of the story arc.

"Chris and Justin are in the crowd watching the fight in #167 and, really huge on the first page of issue #168," Fraga told columnist Mike Sangiacomo. "I did it for a goof. I like to draw people I know into my comics. When I showed it to Chris, he went crazy, he was so excited about it. I reminded him that he just sold two million CDs last year and was on the cover of Rolling Stone, but he said that this was different. This was Wolverine."

The pop pair will mention their four-color appearance on an upcoming Total Request Live show on MTV next week. Wolverine #167, by regular series writer Frank Tieri, is scheduled to go on sale August 29.

Justin Timberlake Says He's Not Hot
Date: Aug. 23rd
Source: katrillion.com

Apparently, millions of fans, countless websites in his honor and even the Choice Hottie Award at this year's Teen Choice Awards aren't enough to convince *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake that he's hot.

"This is a rather embarrassing award ... I don't really consider myself hot. I don't really pay much attention to this kind of stuff," he said at the ceremony, which will air Monday on Fox.

This is the second year Justin has been chosen for the honor.

Lance Interviews Jessica Simpson
Date: Aug. 23rd
Source: nsyncwebguide.com, Interview Magazine (Aug. 2001)

LANCE BASS: Hello, Jessica?
JESSICA SIMPSON: Hey, Lance!

LB: Hey, girl! What's going on?
JS: Everything. Name it, and it's going on.

LB: (laughs) So, Irresistible (Columbia), your second album, has just come out. Congratulations!
JS: Thank you.

LB: I got it yesterday, and it is incredible.
JS: You did? Awww, thanks, sweetie. You know, it's been the most stressful week of my entire life. I've been running around all over the place.

LB: I'm sure. It gets crazy. So how does this album differ from the first? How do you?
JS: So much has changed in the past two years since Sweet Kisses came out, it's ridiculous. The biggest thing for me this time around is to differentiate myself. Last time, people told me "you need to be like Britney. You need to be like Christina. You need to be like Mariah. You need to be this. You need to be that." And while making Irresistible, I stepped back a little bit, and was like, "OK, who am I? Who do I want to be? What do I want to accomplish?" And I think I answered that with this record.

LB: Your sophomore album is always where you find yourself.
JS: Yeah. I completely reevaluated everything. I wanted to do different things: I wanted to duet with Marc Anthony. I wanted to do some stuff that was a little bit more R&B. And I wanted to go to my roots and do a gospel song. It was really cool because it was what I wanted, and I did it.

LB: That brings up a good point about your music. It's got elements of gospel, hip-hop, R&B and even jazz. What were your influences growing up that gave you your sound?
JS: Well, my dad's a minister, so I listened to a lot of gospel. People like Kim Burrell - who is my favorite gospel singer - CeCe Winans and Aretha Franklin. But, then again, I also listened to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. I was totally obsessed with big diva voices.

LB: Yeah, you can definitely tell. (laughs) What do you think of all the rumors always going around - you know, rivalries and everything. Us versus the Backstreet Boys, you versus Christina versus Britney...
JS: It's so stupid. There are no rivalries.

LB: No one has the time. We're too busy worrying about ourselves. Are there any rumors you want to clear up? Any scandals that you're like, "No, that didn't happen!" or "I do not hate Britney Spears!"
JS: (laughs) Well, I did something for a magazine a while ago and they completely twisted my words on Britney and Christina just to make the story look better. And that really frustrates me because I've always been so positive about both of them. I think Britney is an amazing performer and I think Christina's an amazing singer, and they work as hard as me, if not harder. I would never say anything negative about somebody, especially somebody I respect. It just sucks that people twist your words like that.

LB: Well, I promise I won't do that. (laughs) I don't know if you know, but I've dabbled in film recently. Me and Joey (Fatone, another member of *NSYNC) just finished a movie called On The Line. Are you thinking about doing anything like that? I did hear something about Phantom of the Opera.
JS: You heard that?! How?

LB: I know all. (both laugh)
JS: That's not definite yet. We're negotiating and taking it slowly. It's not about sprinting to the top for me - it's about a marathon. It's about longevity with my music, and with acting, if that's something I decide to do. If I take the time out to do a movie, I want it to be something that I can really respect and that I'm really respected for.

LB: Something smart, creative.
JS: Yeah, absolutely. Especially if you're going to take time away from your passion to do it.

LB: OK - this is going to be my last question because we've got a show in a few hours and I've gotta do my sound checks. What is your definition of true success?
JS: I think my definition of true success is success within myself. People can talk about how many albums you're supposed to sell, or what your videos are supposed to sell, or what your videos are supposed to look like, but who are they? If I feel confident about what I'm doing, then I feel successful, you know? And I can't let anybody persuade me otherwise, because success today is measured in astronomical numbers, and it's hard to live up to success in a lot of people's eyes. If I keep it within my own eyes, and keep it within reality, then it's cool. I'll be just fine.

LB: If we can think like that, we'll all be fine. Cool. Thanks, Jessica.
JS: (laughs) Cool. Thanks, Lance. It was good to talk to you. I had fun. LB: Me too.

JS: Can I interview you next?
LB: Let's do that!

This interview was printed in the August 2001 issue of Interview magazine with Destiny's Child on the cover.

Jackson & *NSYNC Will Not Duet at Anniversary Celebration
Date: Aug. 23rd
Source: prnewswire.com

"*NSYNC will not be performing at the all-star salute to the 'King Of Pop,' MICHAEL JACKSON: 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, THE SOLO YEARS, on the Friday, September 7, 2001 concert at Madison Square Garden," announced producer David Gest (pronounced guest).

According to Gest, "Due to scheduling conflicts, Michael Jackson and *NSYNC will not have time to rehearse the "Dancing Machine" number with the Jacksons in the way Michael planned to present it.

Unfortunately, *NSYNC will be rehearsing their MTV Video Music Awards performance on Wednesday and Thursday while Michael will be rehearsing for his shows at the Garden.

The two schedules just conflict and *NSYNC will not be in New York prior to that. Michael looks forward to working with *NSYNC in the future as he is a very big fan of the group."

The event will mark Jackson's first live performances on a mainland stage in eleven years and the first reunion with his brothers, the Jackson 5 (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Michael and Marlon) and the Jacksons (Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Michael and Randy) in twenty years. Michael will also debut his first Epic Records single in more than five years entitled "Rock My World." The two evenings will be filmed as a two-hour primetime special for the CBS Television Network to air during the 2001-2002 Season.

Fans Organize an *NSYNC Challenge Party
Date: Aug. 23rd
Source: Jo

"Chris Kirkpatrick, Lance Bass, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez and Joey Fatone collectively known as *NSYNC, founded Challenge for the Children in 1999. The main priority will be to offer financial support to children's programs and charities throughout the country." (from nsync.com) Sounds like a good cause, right? Well, it is. Jenn and myself (Jo) Feel that its a very good charity and we’d like to support it so we came up with an idea we’re calling the *NSYNC Challenge Party. Its basically a 24 hour party and concert and all the profits will be going straight to Challenge for the Children. The plan is still in the developmental stages, but we’re determined to make this work. Right now all we’re looking for is support. Go to http://www.tbns.net/ncp and sign the guestbook showing your support. Even if you don’t think you’ll be able to make it to the party, sign it saying you support the idea. The more people we get, the better. We’re working on getting the go ahead from the charity to collect money for them, and the more people we have to support us the better our chances will be. Ok...so you may be thinking ‘how are 2 teenage girls going to pull off something as big as this’? Well, with a lot of hard work and determination. This will work, we just need a little help from you. All we ask is that you sign the guestbook and show your support at http://www.tbns.net/ncp
Sincerely,

Jo and Jenn