Instagram/@lancebass
A casual statement by Lance Bass based off the 90s pop nostalgia idea and into another dimension. The NSYNC member posted an image and captioning: “Left the @backstreetboys merch at home.” The message alone was enough to send the internet scampering down memory lane into those historic boy-band wars. The posting was relatively low-key; the reactions, however, were absolute pandemonium and of the best kind.
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Going lite with vibes unattached and no merch in view, the actual story lies in the comment section, where fans are losing it over the prospect of an NSYNC reunion. They are writing manifestos! A great summary from one comment read, “Pop royalty supporting pop royalty- we love to see it,” capturing that wholesome boy band solidarity vibe.
But let’s get real here – it’s no longer really about the Backstreet Boys. The comment section quickly turned into a massive petition for an NSYNC reunion. “Soo… NSYNC at the Sphere next?” pleaded another hopeful, with yet another imploring, “We want an NSYNC reunion world tour please!!!” and about a hundred emojis crying to emphasize a point. The desperation is palpable, y’all.
Others got very creative with their pleas too. “The generation that grew up with y’all are now adults and have adult money… when’s the BSB NSYNC TOUR PLS.” Pretty much a perfect argument- having matured from teenybopper status, they have mortgages and probably 401ks but would gladly max their cards for some Bye Bye Bye.
By now, something mildly amusing can be found: a stray comment about AI putting dancers out of work managed to sneak in amid all the nostalgia talk. Like, sir, this is a Wendy’s- we’re trying to relive our youth over here.
That one simple post-exploding demand for NSYNC came out of nowhere. People started tagging Justin Timberlake and acting as though he is paying keen attention to Instagram comments from his private island. It’s somewhere between hopeful and delusional, which actually might be just the perfect description of 90 percent of boyband fandoms.
Backstreet Boys vs NSYNC used to date back; however, this post proves the fan devotion remains alive and kicking decades later. Whether it is earnest messaging about boyband brotherhood or all-caps scream about the reunion tour, one thing is sure: these boys have traveled forever in pop culture. And if all of a sudden Lance Bass would casually declare the reunion tomorrow, well, let’s just say, Internet might actually break.
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Meanwhile, we are all here awaiting that sickeningly unlikely NSYNC comeback, with at least these little moments of boyband solidarity keeping that dream alive. The comments section has become a time machine traveling all the way back to 1999; honestly, we’re 100% down for the trip. Now excuse us while we dig out those frosted tips and JNCOs for real, just in case a spark is spawned.