February 2002
(21/2) Russia Says Lance Will Not Blast Off
Source: dailynews.yahoo.com
Bass' agents and commercial space exploration company Mircorp had earlier expressed optimism the 22-year-old pop star would sign a $25 million deal for a seat on a Soyuz space taxi due to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) in October.
But Rosaviakosmos spokesman Sergei Gorbunov said the Russian agency had begun no such talks on the subject.
"It is as if I said I had bought Australia," Gorbunov told Reuters, adding there was no agreement between Mircorp and Rosaviakosmos. "Mircorp has no right to sell these flights. They have no link to Rosaviakosmos, we have no contract linking us."
Dutch-based Mircorp was behind initial preparations to send up the world's first space tourist, U.S. millionaire Dennis Tito. But the final, successful, deal was brokered by U.S. company Space Adventures.
"We are not a shop selling flights. There is a hard preparation process and it is not just about coming up and buying a flight," Gorbunov said. "And I'm not even talking about the agreements it is necessary to reach with our partners."
Russia's pioneering commercial use of its space program, used to patch up a shrinking budget, has not been greeted with unanimous approval from its ISS partners, NASA.
Tito's flight last May sparked bickering between the Russian space agency and NASA, who feared the inexperienced passenger could endanger the flight.
"(Bass's flight) is just an advertising stunt, I can promise you," Gorbunov said. "This is better advertising than he could ever pay for."
The man currently heading the race to grab the Soyuz seat and become the third paying guest to visit the ISS -- after Tito and South African Internet magnate Mark Shuttleworth -- is Polish businessman Leszek Czarnecki.
"He is one candidate for the third seat in our October flight," Gorbunov said, adding Czarnecki would shortly be undergoing medical tests near Moscow. "But we still have to present him to our partners, given the flight is to the ISS."
Czarnecki is expected to pay roughly $20 million for trip, the amount reportedly paid by both Shuttleworth and Tito.
A trained pilot, Gorbunov said the Polish would-be tourist has no scientific aims, and "simply wants to fly."
(20/2) CONFIRMED: Lance Bass to Visit International Space Station
Source: Spaceref.com, Kara
According to industry sources, NSync band member Lance Bass is in negotiations with MirCorp to fly on a Soyuz taxi mission to the ISS in November 2002.
Bass is working with Destiny Productions to set up this trip. A formal announcement is expected tomorrow.
This would make Bass the third space tourist to visit the ISS. South African Mark Shuttleworth is due to fly to the ISS on a Soyuz taxi
mission this Spring. American millionaire Dennis Tito flew to the ISS last year. The rumored cost of such a flight is $20 million.
Should this mission come to pass, at age 23, Bass would be the youngest person to ever fly in space. By coincidence, the announcement of his flight is expected to occur on 20 February 2002 - the 40th anniversary of John Genn's historic first flight. Glenn later went on to become the oldest person to ever fly in space.
NASA recently released guidelines for all visitors to the ISS. Bass will be required to meet all of these requirements in order to fly to the
ISS.
NSync is presently scheduled to perform at the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics on Sunday. Industry sources suggest that Bass may make mention of his mission at some point during the performance.
(20/2) *NSYNC Talk: From Body Hair to New Album
Source: cdnow.com - allstar
Topics ranged from U2 (they like them) to excessive body hair (they've got lots of it, apparently, and plan to get more). Some highlights:
On whether the pageantry of 'NSync's concerts -- the lasers, the fireworks –- is beginning to overshadow the music:
"We did so much on the last tour only because it was stadiums," Kirkpatrick said. "It was a spectacle more than anything else. The music was a big part of it, but we put a lot into just making it a great show. Now we've cut back a lot because we don't want [to have to keep upping the ante] until it's just a fireworks display. The show we're doing right now is really musical. We do a couple of little things in it, but it won't take away from the music at all." Kirkpatrick and Chasez say the show will focus more on the music, with just the group and its backing band (no dancers) onstage. They also note that the band will change some song arrangements and "break out some older stuff."
On why they're touring again so soon after the PopOdyssey tour:
"We're road dogs," Chasez says. "We love being on tour. That's our favorite place to be."
On how the band members get along now that they're superstars:
"Basically what I say goes," Kirkpatrick joked. "I'm the oldest. I'm the wisest. I'm the most intelligent of the group. I've got a college
degree and no one else in the group has one, so basically everyone listens to me."
On the appeal of 'NSync:
"People appreciate that we're totally honest and we're totally real," Kirkpatrick said. "We don't worry about, 'Oh I have to put makeup on...' We're five guys that are best friends having a great time with what we're doing, and trying not to step on anybody's toes."
On their plans for a new album:
"We're pretty focused on the tour right now, but I think once the tour gets underway we might start brainstorming," says Chasez. "Right after the tour we have a good bit of time in the late spring or early summer to start pooling our resources together."
On 'NSync's future incarnation as a garage band:
"I think the good thing about us is that we all play instruments," says Kirkpatrick. "Eventually when we stop dancing, we can pick up the instruments and become just a band. Maybe we'll just be a garage band that tours around playing theaters. But I know whatever we're doing that we're going to be happy."
On whether they deserve to lose out to U2 at the GRAMMY Awards:
"We definitely endorse them over ourselves," says Kirkpatrick. "We're still paying our dues."
(20/2) *NSYNC Promise Surprises in "Celebrity 2002" Tour
Source: mtv.com
'NSYNC have some surprises in store for fans who presume two massive tours supporting the same album — last year's Celebrity — is a bit redundant.
For the Celebrity 2002 trek, which kicks off March 3 in Portland, Oregon, the pop quintet have traded in stadiums for the cozier confines of arenas, allowing for stripped down, more intimate performances — that is, if your idea of intimate is snuggling up with nearly 20,000 other likeminded pop lovers.
Another way the band plans to refrain from giving a repeat performance of PopOdyssey, which began nearly two months before Celebrity was released, is by offering up reworked versions of familiar songs from the group's 1998 self-titled debut.
"Last year, it was cool because the kids knew when they were coming to the show that they were going to get something that nobody else had," Justin Timberlake said, "which was about 80 percent of the album. This year, obviously, they'll know the songs, but we put a twist on almost everything, so it makes it fun for them to hear it a different way and try to recognize those tunes."
On the upcoming trek, the group will also perform on a circular stage that gives them a 360-degree view of their fans. It's an open-armed gesture that makes the group approachable from nearly every angle, and the more seats made available from the space-efficient design only makes for a more densely populated group hug.
"It's very intimate," Lance Bass said of the setup. "It's really all about the music."
"It's great because you can fit more people and more people can come see you," added Joey Fatone. "You're also closer to everybody. It does limit you in what you can do with special effects and that type of stuff, but this tour we didn't want to do that. We didn't want to do the huge production that we always do. We really wanted to get down and change some of the songs up. Just really get in there with the music and let the people experience something new that they haven't seen before."
Timberlake summarized, "This tour will be completely different. [Fans] can expect the unexpected. We're gonna have a chance to sit down and talk to them a little bit more, and they'll definitely feel like they left with a piece of us."
Concerning other concert details, the group remained tight-lipped, not wanting to spoil any surprises or appear too staged.
"I don't want to say too much about it, because then it won't be exciting when [fans] come," Timberlake said. "They'll be like, 'Oh yeah, he said he was going to do that, so then he did it.' "
'NSYNC have lined up P. Diddy, Smash Mouth and Ginuwine to open the 37 shows, with each artist handling a portion of the tour. Bass didn't divulge any plans for onstage collaborations with 'NSYNC's crowd primers, nor would he deny the possibility.
"You never know who might join us onstage," he hinted.
(20/2) Chris In "Fairly OddParents"
Source: mtv.com
Kirkpatrick's alter ego Skylark — actually an animated character — will poke fun at 'NSYNC-like pop groups in the season premiere of Nickelodeon's animated "The Fairly OddParents."
In an episode titled "Boys in the Band," Kirkpatrick provides the voice of a pop star kidnapped by the evil babysitter Vicky.
Skylark is featured heavily in the episode and performs in a 90-second video for a song called "Icky Vicky" at the conclusion of the show, according to Nickelodeon.
The episode will air March 1 at 8:30 p.m. "The Fairly OddParents" follows the adventures of 10-year-old Timmy Turner, who has odd parents and friends but even wackier fairy godparents who grant his every wish.
(20/2) *NSYNC and Others Closing Olympics
Source: dailynews.yahoo.com
Christina Aguilera, Charlotte Church, Gloria Estefan and Harry Connick Jr. are among a raft of stars slated to perform at Sunday's closing ceremony for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
The entertainment for the show at Rice-Eccles Stadium above downtown Salt Lake City will also include Bon Jovi and 'Nsync, organizers said in a statement Monday.
Former Olympians Kurt Browning, Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton, Katarina Witt and Kristi Yamaguchi will also be part of the ceremony.
"This will be a party for the athletes and for the world that could only happen at the Olympics," said Don Mischer, executive producer for the closing show. In carrying through the theme of this Olympics -- "Light the Fire Within" -- there will be fireworks, spreading from
the stadium throughout Salt Lake City, as well as an ultra-violet light production number that is meant to turn the arena into one vast black-light area. There will also be a nod to the city of Turin, Italy, site of the 2006 Winter Games.
(16/2) *NSYNC Nominated
Source: katrillion.com
*NSYNC are feeling good about their recent nominations for Grammy and Soul Train awards.
"I just found out about (the Soul Train nomination) and it's very flattering," Chris Kirkpatrick told Katrillion. "Something like that along with the Grammys -- it's really an honor just to be nominated."
But Chris admits that losing at the upcoming shows would be a bummer. "If you get nominated and you don't win, of course you're very disappointed," he said.
*NSYNC is nominated for the Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy. Their Soul Train award nomination is for Best R&B/Soul Single by a Group, Band or Duo.
Chris is aware that the Soul Train nom proves the pop band is reaching new audiences. "To be able to cross over into an urban market like that without us pushing ourselves or trying to push our way into that area ... it's great," he told us.
The Grammy Awards air Feb. 27 on CBS. A broadcast date has not been announced yet for the Soul Train Awards.
(16/2) Chris Debuts Clothing Line
Source: dailynews.yahoo.com
Popular music has a history of influencing fashion, and 'N Sync's Chris Kirkpatrick is keeping that synergy alive.
Kirkpatrick's clothing line, FuMan Skeeto, had its runway debut Monday night at Girls Rule, one of the shows of New York Fashion Week, which ends Friday.
FuMan Skeeto was inspired by the vintage-chic styles of New York and one-of-a-kind boutiques in Los Angeles, the 30-year-old singer explained in a statement.
"No matter what is on the young female's agenda, FuMan Skeeto is her ... 24-hour clothing," Kirkpatrick said. As is the custom for most designers, he came out at the end of the show to take a bow.
The collection features loose velour and French terry tops and jackets, chenille patch jeans and novelty T-shirts, including one with "Available" printed on the front. Tom Julian, trend analyst for Fallon Worldwide advertising agency, said Kirkpatrick is on the right track, but needs to link his stardom to the label.
"When you look at the logo, you don't know it's him and his name," Julian said. "That might be a conscious decision but to focus more on his face will help sell the line in the competitive zone of music and urban wear."
Darren Hayes, the voice of Savage Garden, performed during the Girls Rule show, which also featured collections by teen-oriented fashion labels Planet Yumthing, Smashing Grandpa and Dollhouse.
(16/2) P. Diddy Opening for *NSYNC
Source: mtv.com
'NSYNC are sure making it difficult for the Johnny-come-latelys — you know, the concert stragglers who make it to the show just in time to catch the headlining act. After already lining up Smash Mouth and Ginuwine to set things off on various dates of their upcoming Celebrity 2002 Tour, which kicks off March 3, the fivesome has secured even more star power with opener P. Diddy.
"I just signed on to do the last couple of weeks of the 'NSYNC tour," Diddy said last week on the set of his video for "I Need a Girl". "We all got the same management. But it really came across with [myself and 'NSYNC] being cool. I did some dates with Britney [Spears] and it was fun. People took it as being different. 'Why is a hip-hop act on that kind of tour?'
"But the whole spectrum [of music] is getting bigger," he continued. "I could play with Lenny Kravitz, I could play with Smash Mouth, 'NSYNC, Limp Bizkit, whoever wants to hear good music. Then I could go rock a hip-hop tour and have the best of both worlds."
P.D. said he's also looking forward to a summer outing with some of his fellow rap world constituents.
"Everybody is talking to everybody, trying to figure out who's going with who for the summer," he said.
(16/2) *NSYNC CD and Video Hit Stores in March
Source: nsync-world.com
March is going to be a great month for *NSYNC fans! Not only will they kick off their latest tour, but two awesome *NSYNC "must haves" will hit stores. On March 12th the "Girlfriend (Remix)" CD-5 will hit stores. Its got an incredible remix of "Girlfriend" featuring Nelly plus two versions of "Gone" including a remix and the Spanish version! And that's not all, the CD-5 is enhanced! Put the disc in your computer and check out the video for "Girlfriend," an awesome photo gallery and a special sneak preview of the POPOdyssey LIVE home video!
Speaking of POPOdyssey LIVE, look for the VHS in-stores on March 19th with the DVD to follow a few weeks later. This incredible video features all your favorite *NSYNC songs performed live from last summer's historic stadium tour, plus interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and more. This is the ultimate *NSYNC live concert video!
(16/2) So You Wanna Rock like JC?
Source: katrillion.com, Sarah B.
*NSYNC's JC Chasez didn't become a star on purpose. In fact, it's all because a high school friend dragged him to an open-call audition that he even pursued singing as a career. When he performed Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting for You," he was so bashful he made casting director Matt Casella clear the room.
"He had this amazing voice. I told him to go to a record store to find the instrumental version, and he was like, 'you're kidding, this is crazy.' I literally pointed to a kid in the crowd and made him a star. He didn't even come to audition. He was just this vulnerable, sweet kid next door with this amazing voice."
Casella, who's responsible for giving Spears, Aguilera, Timberlake, Keri Russell and more their first big jobs as Mouseketeers, auditioned thousands of kids.
"They call me Uncle Matt because I actually went to them and had auditions where 800 kids would show up," Casella says. "It was like someone pointed at them and said 'you' -- I took them out of normal life and made them famous."
(10/2) Britney & Justin Design T-Shirts for Charity at Planet Hollywood
Source: planethollywood.com, Megan
Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake unveiled their exclusive T-shirt designs to benefit charity at Planet Hollywood Times Square today. Spears and Timberlake teamed up with Planet Hollywood to help raise funds and awareness for their charities. The three different T-shirt designs will be available for purchase at all domestic Planet Hollywood locations as well as London, Paris and Disneyland Paris. Spears' designs are a representation of her feelings following the attacks of 9/11. One shirt features her handprint with a red, white and blue design in a patriotic salute printed on a standard black cotton T-shirt. The second shirt designed by Spears features her two hands arranged in the form of a dove-in-flight reflecting her hope for peace and it is printed on a fitted black cotton skinny-tee. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts, $22.00 for the standard and $24.00 for the skinny, will benefit the Britney Spears Foundation.
"I am so thrilled to be able to raise funds for my Foundation with the sale of the shirts. The designs came straight from my heart and I hope all my fans will help support the Foundation and its many worthy programs by buying the shirt," said Britney.
Justin Timberlake has chosen to depict the tattoo he has on his upper left arm in an artistic rendition of the actual design. His gold cross against a black background creates a striking image on the standard black cotton T-shirt. All three shirts incorporate the logos of the charity along with the Planet Hollywood logo on the back of the shirt. Proceeds from the sale of this shirt, selling at $22.00 will benefit the Justin Timberlake Foundation. A skinny T-shirt version of Justin's tattoo shirt will be available soon for $24.00
"My T-shirt design is very personal to me as are the goals of my Foundation. Supporting music programs in the schools will help nurture new talent that might have gone unnoticed without proper funding," Timberlake said.
(10/2) *NSYNC Team Up with Swiss Watchmaker
Source: Just Justin, Elsya
America's most popular band and recent winner of four MTV Music Video Awards, *NSYNC has teamed up with leading luxury Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet to create 200 limited edition watches (Royal Oak and Promesse collections) to benefit children affected by the World Trade Center attacks and *NSYNC's foundation "Challenge For The Children." "We want to help kids affected by the tragedy as much as we can," said Justin Timberlake of *NSYNC, "Audemars Piguet is the right partner for designing a watch that will last as a reminder of the goodwill and harmony that can come even from an event as tragic as the attack on the World Trade Center."
(10/2) *NSYNC Nominated for Soul Train Award
Source: launch.com
Neo-soul singer Alicia Keys topped the 16th Annual Soul Train Music Awards' nominee list Thursday (February 7), earning four nominations, including best R&B/soul single, female; best R&B/soul album, female; R&B/soul or rap album of the year; best R&B/soul or rap new artist; and best R&B/soul single, female. She will also receive the 2002 Sammy Davis Jr. award for entertainer of the year, female. Faith Evans and Don Cornelius hosted the press conference for the award program, scheduled to be taped Wednesday, March 20 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
*NSYNC, Jay-Z, Jaheim, Destiny's Child, Busta Rhymes, Michael Jackson, and numerous others are also up for various awards.
Reigning boy band NSYNC earned a nomination for their song, "Gone," which was well-received at urban radio. Group member Justin Timberlake recently spoke about how it feels to cross over into the urban market. "It's tough to answer a question like that. I think it's probably tough for you to ask a question like that because it kinda separates races. But you're looking at someone who grew up on
Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Marvin Gaye. When I wrote the song I just used inspiration, just like everybody does. You know, Michael
Jackson, his inspiration was James Brown. Those were my inspirations. I just used those to write the music that feels good to me. That's what I came up with. That's what we came up with. So if it goes to an area where we've never been before, then yeah, we're going to pat ourselves on the back. It's a blessing."
(4/2) *NSYNC Collaborate with Nelly for Grammy Performance
Source: dailynews.yahoo.com
A tribute to the ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?'' soundtrack, featuring Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Ralph Stanley, Gillian Welch and the Soggy Bottom Boys (Dan Tyminski and Pat Enright), will be among the musical performances on the 44th annual Grammy telecast on Feb. 27. Among the first acts announced for the CBS telecast are the Dave Matthews Band and a collaboration between 'N Sync and Nelly. U2 and Alicia Keys were previously announced as performers; Janet Jackson, Diana Krall and Britney Spears are locked in as presenters.
The "O Brother'' soundtrack is up for album of the year, and three tracks from the disc are competing for other awards. Krauss is up for five Grammys, one of which comes from her appearance on the
soundtrack.
The Dave Matthews Band, 'N Sync and Nelly are all up for one trophy each, but an appearance on the Grammy telecast has generally meant a sales spike the following week. (At the least, the albums up for nods are five months old and many have already had their peak selling period.) Quite often, performances have had a greater effect on sales than wins.
News Archive:
February
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