FOR decades, boy bands, from the Beatles to BTS, have captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world.
Lou Pearlman was known for creating many beloved musical artists, including New Kids on The Block, The Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Aaron Carter and O-Town – and a new Netflix series exposed Pearlman’s illegal activities.
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The upcoming documentary, which will be released on July 24, will discuss the rise and fall of Pearlman – who orchestrated one of the biggest Ponzi schemes to date.
Pearlman claimed to be responsible for many “businesses” that supposedly existed, but only on paper, where he attracted investors to invest in his company Trans Continental International Inc.
He allegedly falsified federal records and financial statements to gain investors’ trust.
While *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys sold millions of records worldwide, the members didn’t make much money, while Pearlman made millions.
Throughout its success, it was reported that the Backstreet Boys never earned more than $300,000.
When *NSYNC received their first paycheck after selling 10 million records, they allegedly received only four digits.
In 2007, his “companies” were exposed and considered fraudulent.
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The music entrepreneur was sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiracy, money laundering and false bankruptcy proceedings.
He laundered more than $1 billion, which landed him in prison after accumulating debts of more than $300 million.
Pearlman died in federal custody in 2016.
Despite the huge scheme, Pearlman’s musical acts dominated the charts and are still loved by many.
Take a look at where your favorite boy bands are now – including Backstreet Boys and O-Town.
*NSYNC
NSYNC was formed by member Chris Kirkpatrick, 52, in Orlando, Florida, in 1995.
The other members include Justin Timberlake, 43, Lance Bass, 45, JC Chasez, 47, and Joey Fatone, 47.
Lou Pearlman’s bands he created
Lou Pearlman was known for forming many bands in the 1990s.
Here are some bands Lou Pearlman has managed
- The Backstreet Boys
- *NSYNC
- O-City
- LFO
- USA5
- Aaron Carter
- Grade C
- Innosense
From 1997 to 2001, the band released three albums and one Christmas album: ‘N Sync (1997), Home For Christmas (1998), No Strings Attached (2000) and Celebrity (2001).
In 2002, the band went on hiatus.
Over the years, each member of the group went on to do their own thing in the industry, including solo albums and acting.
Since their hiatus, the group has reunited for special appearances, including their surprise performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards and when they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018.
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In 2023, they revealed that they were releasing a song for the film Trolls Band Together called Better Place.
In March, *NSYNC performed together for the first time in 10 years at Justin’s One Night Only in Los Angeles, California.
THE BACKSTREET BOYS
The Backstreet Boys were formed in Orlando in 1993 with members AJ McLean, 46, Howie Dorough, 50, Nick Carter, 44, Kevin Richardson, 52, and Brian Littrell, 49.
The group rose to fame with their self-titled debut album in 1996, which featured hit songs such as Quit Playing Games (with My Heart) and We’ve Got It Goin’ On.
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His fame only grew with the release of his second and third albums, Backstreet’s Back (1997) and Millennium (1999).
Millennium had help from pop music mega-producer Max Martin, who helped write one of its biggest hits, I Want It That Way.
A year later, in 2000, they released Black and Blue, their last album until their hiatus in 2004.
They released Never Gone in 2005 with the lead single Incomplete.
In 2006, Richardson announced that he was leaving the group to pursue other career opportunities and the rest of the band continued as a four-piece.
In 2012, Richardson got back together and the boys are still together.
O-CITY
O-Town was founded in 2000 in Orlando after being featured in the first season of the ABC series Making The Band.
Its name was inspired by the city of Orlando.
The band’s original members included Erik-Michael Estrada, Jacob Underwood, Trevor Penick, Ashley Parker Angel and Ikakia Kahoano.
Shortly after winning the competition, Kahoano left for personal reasons and was replaced by Dan Miller.
In 2001, the band released their self-titled debut album with the single Liquid Dreams reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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That same year, they released their hit All or Nothing and toured with Britney Spears on her Dream Within A Dream Tour.
In 2002, the group called it quits after their record label canceled their contract due to low sales.
In 2003, Angel signed to Universal’s Blackground Records.
Three years later, in 2006, he released his solo album Soundtrack to Your Life.
In 2007, he played Link in Hairspray on Broadway.
Penick pursued a solo career and used the stage name Tre Scott.
Estrada remained in the world of music, but as a composer.
Underwood started a country band called Jacob’s Loc.
In 2013, many members returned for a reunion, but Angel decided not to return.
Miller, Estrada, Underwood and Pennick continued without him.
In 2014, they released their comeback album Lines & Circles and in 2017, they joined Ryan Cabrera on select dates on the I Love the ’90s tour.
In 2019, they released their most recent album, The OTWN Album.
Angel’s recent TV appearance was on The Masked Singer in 2023.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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