July 26th 2024.
The new Netflix documentary Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam has left Backstreet Boys fans feeling a mix of emotions. Released on Wednesday, the film delves into the infamous story of Lou Pearlman, the man behind the success of some of the biggest 1990s boybands. We see how Pearlman went from managing the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC to being imprisoned for fraud.
Named after an NSYNC song, Dirty Pop takes us through the formation of the boybands and how they rose to fame with the help of Pearlman's fraudulent schemes. Unfortunately, the music manager's devious actions eventually caught up with him and he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for bank fraud. However, he passed away in 2016 after serving only eight years of his sentence.
The documentary has left some fans feeling uneasy, with many taking to Twitter to share their thoughts. One fan, @AmandaCameron83, wrote a passionate statement about the film, expressing their sympathy for the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC who were taken advantage of by Pearlman. They also felt sorry for those who invested in his fraudulent schemes, only to never see their money again.
Pearlman managed other boybands such as O-Town and Innosense, but it was the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC who rose to international fame. In the film, we hear from members of both groups who share their experiences with Pearlman. AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys reveals that they initially looked up to Pearlman, but soon realized the truth behind his actions and how he had impacted their lives.
The documentary also delves into the court battles that ensued after some band members demanded their rightful earnings. The Backstreet Boys sued Pearlman in 1998, followed by NSYNC in 1999. Lance Bass of NSYNC later revealed that they were only receiving a measly $10,000 each for years of hard work, while living on a daily allowance of $35.
The two groups eventually settled with Pearlman out of court, but this was just the tip of the iceberg. In 2006, it was uncovered that Pearlman had defrauded investors of over $1 billion throughout his career. He was finally imprisoned in 2008, owing hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Backstreet Boys, consisting of Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson, were formed in 1993 and quickly rose to fame with hits like "Everybody" and "I Want It That Way". Similarly, NSYNC, made up of Chris Kirkpatrick, Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, and JC Chasez, saw success in 1996 and then again in the early 2000s with hits like "Bye Bye Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me".
As the Backstreet Boys went on hiatus and Timberlake pursued a solo career, NSYNC eventually split in the early 2000s. Pearlman's fraudulent actions had a lasting impact on both groups and the music industry as a whole.
If you're interested in learning more about this scandalous story, be sure to watch Dirty Pop on Netflix. And if you have any celebrity stories, videos, or pictures, don't hesitate to reach out to the entertainment team at The Agency. You can email us, give us a call, or visit our Submit Stuff page. We're always eager to hear from our readers.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
