Lance Bass Reveals Shockingly Low Earnings From His Time in *NSYNC

Lance Bass has opened up about his finances during the height of *NSYNC's massive global success, claiming that he and his bandmates made remarkably little money while rising to fame. The iconic boy band, which originally formed in 1995, achieved multiple number-one albums and sold-out arena tours, yet the financial reality for the members did not match their massive public profile.

During an appearance on an episode of The Zach Sang Show, Bass discussed the compensation he received during the group's peak years. He claimed that he and his fellow bandmates—Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Joey Fatone—survived on a daily per diem of just $35 while touring and promoting their music. Bass stated that their very first major check amounted to $10,000, arriving after several years of chart-topping success. According to the singer, management told the group they should feel grateful for the $10,000 because they had essentially been working for free for two to three years.

Bass alleged that while the group members did not secure a fortune from their immense talents, the record label and their infamous late music manager, Lou Pearlman, generated massive financial returns. Pearlman was eventually convicted and imprisoned in 2008. Reflecting on the situation, Bass expressed that he felt cheated at the time, noting that adults around them frequently dismissed their concerns by telling the young performers they were too young to worry about money. Bass emphasized that even youth do not excuse withholding a living wage, especially since a pop career is typically finite and fails to automatically set artists up for future stability.

Addressing his current financial situation, the 47-year-old performer noted that he does receive residuals from his time in the group, though the amounts are quite small. He pushed back against the widespread public assumption that he became wealthy from his days in the boy band, stating clearly that he hardly made any money from the group itself. Previously, during a 2023 appearance on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show, Bass similarly remarked that public perception was misleading, explaining that the members were famous rather than wealthy and that he ultimately earned substantially more money through his endeavors after the group went on hiatus in 2002.

When asked whether he still harbors resentment over the allegedly low earnings from his pop star days, Bass admitted that he does not hold onto anger anymore. He expressed pride in everything he accomplished following the band's 2002 hiatus. Furthermore, Bass credited his bandmates for providing a vital support system that kept everyone grounded through the chaotic experience, noting that having four peers who felt like brothers helped them navigate the intense pressure of sudden worldwide fame.

Despite the financial frustrations of his early career, Bass continues to look back on his time in the group with an appreciation for the bonds he formed with his bandmates, even as his revelations continue to challenge common public misconceptions about the wealth generated during the golden era of late-1990s boy bands.