Justin Timberlake Considered Performing At Coachella, But Declined Due To Tour Conflicts
Apparently, the Coachella audience was closer to getting a five-member NSYNC reunion than originally thought.
According to TMZ, sources claim that Timberlake — and the rest of NSYNC — were approached to do a special performance with Ariana Grande. However, Timberlake was reportedly forced to turn it down because of scheduling conflicts with his “Man of the Woods” tour.
Sources said that Timberlake was very close to joining the performance, and was very positive about the potential reunion. However, he wasn’t able to work rehearsals around his tour schedule.
According to an insider, Justin was willing to participate in the Coachella performance because it was a one-time exclusive event.
The remaining members of NSYNC — Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, and JC Chasez — joined Grande for a surprise performance at Coachella on Sunday.
Grande, who performed as one of the music festival’s few female headliners (as well as one of the youngest), declared to the crowd how important the Coachella spot was to her.
“I’ve been rehearsing my whole f**king life for this moment.”
Timberlake even praised his former bandmates for a job well done, sending them a message on social media that read, “You guys killed it last night.”
Grande prompted speculation last week regarding the surprise collaboration when she posted two NSYNC-related clips to her Instagram account, per Us Weekly.
One video shows Grande, as a child, being held by her mom at a 1999 NSYNC concert.
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1116424909985468416
Grande then added a clip of herself performing the choreography from NSYNC’s hit song “Tearin’ Up My Heart.”
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1116441009091534848
NSYNC lasted for seven years, with the group disbanding in 2002. The group has reunited for a few special performances, coming together in April of 2018 to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
For the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, the band reunited to perform a medley of their hits in a tribute to Timberlake for receiving the Video Vanguard / Michael Jackson award.
Meanwhile, Grande’s set wasn’t all smooth sailing — some of the performances were plagued by sound issues, reports The Blast.
The pop star first encountered problems when Nicki Minaj entered to perform “Side to Side” and “Bang Bang” with Grande. The sound continuously cut out, and the pair seemed to have problems singing the lyrics without a backing track. Grande motioned to her earpiece several times, indicating to the crew that she could not hear anything.
The problems persisted throughout her next performance with Diddy and Mase, with the group performing “Mo Money Mo Problems.”
Even so, the NSYNC reunion went off without a hitch. Grande and the group sang “Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” and “Tearin’ Up My Heart.”
Justin Timberlake Missed Coachella Beacuse He Couldn't Rehearse with 'NSYNC https://t.co/sBq6sIcXA7
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 15, 2019
