By now you've probably heard many a story about a major recording artist or group being taken advantage of in the music industry. Following talents like Toni Braxton and TLC, Lance Bass says 'N Sync was in debt for many years despite having major success and hits like "It's Gonna Be Me," "This I Promise You" and "Girlfriend."
"I started when I was 16, so I didn't know much. We got taken advantage of every step of the way. You know, we always felt like we were the ones in charge, we were the bosses, but we definitely weren't. We were definitely, you know, being pulled in so many directions. We didn't know what was going on. They kept us so busy, we didn't really get to understand what was happening in our lives," Bass told "Piers Morgan Tonight" in a recent interview.
Discussing Justin Bieber and his now public struggles, Bass looked back and sort of warned Bieber about entitlement, taking control of the business side of music and watching out for people that don't have his best interests in mind.
"You know, you're not too young to understand everything and just learn, learn, learn as much as you can. The biggest word that I learned early on was the word recoupable. You know, we were in debt for many years before we learned the word recoupable. All those dinners that those labels are taking you to that you're thanking them for, you're paying for that," said Bass. "You know, I was with the group. So, I had, you know, four of my best friends with me to keep me down to earth but when you're a solo artist, no one's there telling you no. I think that's the big problem, especially with teen idols. You immediately go from, you know, learning about puberty to having, you know, hundreds of employees and not really knowing how to deal with that. And with fame comes entitlement. You have tons of people around you saying yes, sir, yes, sir, yes, sir. So it's hard to keep that ego in check."
Even with that said, Lance Bass doesn't blame Hollywood for Justin Bieber's struggles.
"Well, I mean, I don't blame Hollywood. I think every teenager goes through, you know, these times. Everyone's going to rebel with their families. It's just these teens happen to do it in the public eye and especially with social media being what it is today, you can't hide anything. Everyone knows every little thing about your life," said Bass. "So when everyone is just learning how to, you know, smoke that first cigarette, have that first drink, they're growing up. Every kid does it. It's just these kids have to do it, you know, with everyone staring at them."
When it comes to teen pop sensations, ‘N Sync has certainly had its time in the spotlight. Spanning from 1995-2002, the group was one of the most successful boy bands of all time and sold over 50 million albums worldwide. Now, former member Lance Bass is speaking out about his experience with the band and he’s got a warning for Justin Bieber: don’t let money ruin your career! In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight, Bass reveals how being in debt affected their success as a band and offers some advice on how to avoid making similar mistakes. Read on to find out what Bass said and why you should heed his warnings if you’re hoping for longterm success in show business.
‘N Sync’s Rise To Fame
N Sync skyrocketed to fame in 1998 with their self-titled debut album, and the group quickly became a beloved pop sensation. From hit singles like “Bye Bye Bye” and “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” to global tours and sold-out shows, N Sync was one of the most successful boy bands of all time. But according to Lance Bass, one of the group’s members, achieving such success didn’t come without its challenges.
In an interview with People Magazine, Bass revealed that despite making millions from their music career, he and his fellow bandmates were also dealing with financial issues stemming from poor contracts. He warned Justin Bieber – another popular teen idol – against signing away his rights as a young musician. “You have to be careful who you sign on with because we were in debt for many years after our careers ended,” said Bass.
The former ‘N Sync member advised Bieber to take control of his own finances by investing money wisely instead of spending it recklessly: “It is so important for [Justin] to know what he’s doing when it comes to business and look out for himself.”
Lance Bass’ Warning To Justin Bieber
In his warning to Justin Bieber, Lance Bass stressed the importance of understanding contracts before signing them – something he and his fellow bandmates failed to do when they first started out. “We were so naïve… We had a lot of great people surrounding us, but there was nobody who knew how to read an entertainment contract,” said Bass. He added that although it may be tempting for young musicians to sign big deals early on in their career, it’s important to make sure those deals are fair.
Bass also warned Bieber against relying too heavily on others for financial advice: “No one is looking out for you like you can look out for yourself.” By educating himself about finances and investing wisely, Bieber could ensure that his music career would set him up financially in the future.
Rather than spending money as soon as he earns it, Bass suggested that Bieber prioritize long-term investments such as stocks and property purchases. With this advice from a veteran performer, Bieber should have all the necessary tools he needs to protect his investments and build lasting wealth over time.
Conclusion
I. Reflection on ‘N Sync’s Success
It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since ‘N Sync hit the music scene, but it also serves as a reminder of how quickly fame can pass by. It was an incredible time for us – we had fans all over the world and were creating music that resonated with so many people. We made history and I’m proud of what we achieved during our short time together.
II. Lance Bass’ Warning to Justin Bieber
I know better than anyone how fast success can come and go in this industry, which is why I want to use my experience to warn others about the dangers of getting too caught up in celebrity culture. When you become famous at such a young age, there are always risks involved, especially when it comes to money management. That’s why I felt compelled to speak out against Justin Bieber’s recent financial decisions – we were in debt for many years due to mismanagement and bad contracts.
III. Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, being part of ‘N Sync taught me valuable lessons both professionally and personally that I will take with me forever. My hope is that other musicians learn from our mistakes before they make them themselves or get taken advantage of like we did. Money should never be more important than your art or your well-being – something that any true artist knows deep down in their heart!
