Lance Bass is opening up about what he actually earned during his *NSYNC days, and the numbers are shocking. On The Zach Sang Show, the former boy band member said his first check from the group was only $10,000, even after years of chart-topping albums and sold-out tours. He also claimed his per diem during that era was just $35 a day, describing those early years as“working for free.”
Bass said the label and late manager Lou Pearlman made a fortune while the band members saw very little of it. He doesn’t carry the resentment anymore, but he still believes he was cheated out of fair earnings. He noted that he does receive residuals today, though they aren’t much. This echoes comments he made back in 2023, when he said he made more money after *NSYNC than during it.
This story matters beyond boy band nostalgia. It raises real questions about how young artists get locked into deals before they understand the business, and how the people behind the scenes often walk away with the biggest paychecks. Whether you grew up on *NSYNC or not, it’s a reminder that fame and money don’t always move together.
What’s the worst deal you ever agreed to before you knew any better? Drop your story in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
