AceShowbiz - Joey Fatone recently shared candid insights about the moment he felt frustrated when Justin Timberlake decided to pursue a solo career, marking a pivotal shift for the iconic boy band NSync.

In the new docuseries Boy Band Confidential on Investigation Discovery, which is set to premiere on April 13 and 14, Fatone, 49, reflected on the timeline leading up to Timberlake's solo announcement. "We just did a stadium run, and then an arena tour," he recalled. Then came an unexpected development when Lance Bass got an opportunity to train as an astronaut and potentially go into space. It was shortly after that Justin expressed his desire to focus on solo projects.

Fatone admitted he was initially supportive of the idea. "At first, my brain's like, 'Cool, do it and have fun,'" he said, explaining that he viewed it as a chance for the group to take a break and explore individual interests. The band originally formed in 1995 with Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Fatone, and Bass, rising to fame with hits like "Bye Bye Bye" and "Tearin' Up My Heart."

Despite their eventual split in 2007, confirmed by Bass, the group reunited briefly in 2023 for a single on the Trolls Band Together soundtrack and performed together once more in 2024. However, they have not toured collectively since 2002.

Fans continue to hope for a full reunion, and the members have acknowledged this enthusiasm over the years. Yet, when it came to Timberlake's departure, Fatone noted a lack of clear communication. "That was the weird thing about it. Nobody really had a conversation, per se," he said in the docuseries. "There was never a button, [and] there was never a goodbye. There was never anything."

While this absence of closure mostly didn’t bother Fatone, he revealed the one time the situation felt awkward. It was during the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, when Justin Timberlake performed solo for the first time and the rest of the group introduced him. "This is some bulls***," Fatone admitted. He felt sidelined as it seemed like the band was being pushed aside while still being expected to support Timberlake.

He further described a confusing experience on a red carpet event where the band initially planned to attend together, but ultimately not all members were present. Fatone suggested the record company was intentionally distancing the group to spotlight Timberlake's solo career. However, he clarified that his frustration was not directed at Timberlake's success itself.

Fatone emphasized, "It is totally fine. But talk to us. Have a conversation. Say, 'Hey, we're promoting Justin. He has an album out. We're not here for NSync right now.' If you would have had that conversation, it would have been a lot easier for me personally."

Despite the tension, Fatone does not blame Timberlake for the way things unfolded. "It must have been very difficult to leave," he said. "Somebody should have said something."

Meanwhile, rumors about an NSync biopic have surfaced. In 2025, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that producer Neal H. Moritz, known for the Fast & Furious franchise, was shopping a film project about the band. The plan involved meeting all five members to secure their participation, with Timberlake expected to serve as an executive producer.

However, the project faced obstacles. Sources explained that conflicting representatives for the band members complicated agreeing on the biopic details. A key sticking point was Timberlake wanting certain elements of control, such as being executive producer while the others would have lesser production roles. These power dynamics reportedly prevented the group from reaching a consensus.

As of September 2025, a source confirmed to Us Weekly that the film and any accompanying reunion tour were not moving forward. The project has undergone multiple iterations, including plans for both a scripted movie and a behind-the-scenes documentary style, but currently, nothing is proceeding.

The upcoming Boy Band Confidential series will provide viewers with a deeper look into the history and dynamics of NSync, airing Monday, April 13, and Tuesday, April 14, at 9 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery, before streaming on HBO Max.

Fans of boy bands and pop music history will find the series insightful as it explores the bonds, challenges, and solo ambitions that shaped one of the most influential groups of the late 1990s and early 2000s.