August 2004

The September issue of GQ UK, released in August, featured Justin Timberlake expressing uncertainty about rejoining *NSYNC, even when reminded of a possible contractual obligation. “You’re never contractually obligated to do anything,” he said, adding that he was more interested in exploring southern rock than returning to choreographed pop2. MTV News reported that the group had reunited to perform the national anthem at their annual Challenge for the Children event, but Jive Records confirmed that no new music was planned for the remainder of the year. Manager Johnny Wright echoed the uncertainty in a radio interview, saying that any reunion would have to be “in [Justin’s] best interest,” and that timing was everything.

People Magazine cited unnamed sources claiming that Justin had “dropped the bomb” during a Miami meeting, telling his bandmates he wasn’t interested in recording another album. The report suggested that the rest of the group hadn’t taken the news well, and felt strung along until Justin’s solo career was secure. Joey Fatone and JC Chasez both appeared on Sirius Satellite Radio, denying a formal breakup but offering no updates on new music. Meanwhile, The Times Leader published gossip alleging that Cameron Diaz was a source of friction within the group, further complicating reunion efforts.

1 – This graphic features content from the September 2004 issue of GQ UK, which was on sale in August. The original article is not currently available via GQ’s website or public archives. A transcribed copy of the interview was located on a fan-hosted website. The quote attributed to Justin Timberlake has been corroborated by an archived MTV News update published the same year.
Title: The Birth of An Icon
Author(s): Devin Friedman
Original Source: GQ UK Magazine (unavailable)
Secondary Source: Claudia’s *NSYNC Shrine
Current Link: https://maestravida.com/cloud/gq904.html (full transcribed article)
Corroborating Source: MTV News
Current Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20221130005123/https://www.mtv.com/news/3o07wk/for-the-record-quick-news-on-paris-hilton-christina-milian-green-day-incubus-afi-pj-harvey-more (full article)

2 – MTV News reported that *NSYNC had reunited to perform the national anthem at their annual Challenge for the Children event, but no new music was planned. Although the group mentioned an upcoming band meeting to discuss future recording, Jive Records confirmed that no releases were scheduled for the remainder of the year.
Title: No New ‘NSYNC Album This Year, Label Says
Author(s): Jennifer Vineyard
Original Source: MTV News
Current Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20041228204520/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489894/20040803/n_sync.jhtml?headlines=true

3 – Pop Dirt published a post summarizing an interview that manager Johnny Wright did with 98.5 KLUC in Las Vegas. This graphic contains quotes attributed to him by the post’s author.
Title: Johnny Wright Discusses Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC Future
Author(s): Jeff C
Original Source: KLUC radio interview (unavailable)
Secondary Source: Popdirt.com
Current Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20090118044856/https://popdirt.com/johnny-wright-discusses-backstreet-boys-nsync-future/31742/ (full article)

4 – People Magazine cited unnamed sources in an article describing alleged friction within *NSYNC due to Justin Timberlake’s departure.
Title: Timberlake Bailing on ‘N Sync Reunion?
Author(s): Mark Dagostino and Steve Helling
Original Source: People Magazine
Current Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20201028175822/https://people.com/celebrity/timberlake-bailing-on-n-sync-reunion/ (full article)

5 – Pop Dirt publishes a post claiming Joey Fatone denied *NSYNC breaking up when he was interviewed on Sirius Satellite Radio.
Title: Joey Fatone Denies Split But No New Music
Author(s): Jeff C
Original Source: Sirius Satellite 1 Radio interview (unavailable)
Secondary Source: Popdirt.com
Current Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20210414143251/http://popdirt.com/joey-fatone-denies-nsync-split-but-no-new-music/31862/

6 – Pop Dirt also published a summary of an interview JC Chasez did with Sirius Satellite Radio.
Title: JC Chasez Comments od Britney’s Nuptuals and *NSYNC’s Future
Author(s): Jeff C
Original Source: Sirius Satellite 1 Radio interview (unavailable)
Secondary Source: Popdirt.com
Current Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20200815103132/http://popdirt.com/jc-chasez-comments-on-britneys-nupitals-and-nsyncs-future/31894/ (full article)

Icons in graphic 5 and 6 were copied from Old Windows Icons Tumblr.

7 – In August 2004, a Times Leader gossip feature reported that during *NSYNC’s annual charity event in Miami, Justin Timberlake privately told the group he wasn’t interested in recording a new album. The blurb also noted that unnamed media sources had speculated about interpersonal tensions, with one attributing group friction to Timberlake’s relationship with Cameron Diaz—though this claim was not substantiated.
Title: The Starr Report
Author(s): Jenn and AJ
Original Source: The Times Leader
Current Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20040913135537/http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/entertainment/9426504.htm (full article)