
*NSYNC Misses Joey Fatone’s Broadway for Justin Timberlake Event
2. Discover the Untold Story of ‘N Sync’s Original Fifth Member!
Many fans may not know that the first fifth member of the iconic boy band ‘N Sync was Jason Galasso. He had a history with Joey Fatone, having met him in choir during their high school years. In an intriguing twist of fate, Galasso received an unexpected page in the 1990s from Fatone, who was reaching out to explore musical opportunities. Interestingly, Galasso was also familiar with JC Chasez, as he had spent time with stars from The Mickey Mouse Club, including Chase Hampton and Keri Russell, which he shared during his appearance on The Digital Get Down podcast in 2019.
When Galasso auditioned, the chemistry was immediate, especially after they harmonized on a powerful rendition of Boyz II Men’s classic “End of the Road.” Galasso reminisced, “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, Justin’s really young!’” However, upon hearing Justin Timberlake sing, he quickly realized that age was irrelevant; Timberlake had an incredible voice that impressed everyone in the room.
At the same time, Galasso was also part of a trio called Unreal, which left him torn about his future. He reflected on his dilemma, expressing, “I was still trying to figure out which direction to go in.” Currently working in the mortgage loan industry, he recalled that when Lou Pearlman first introduced the concept of ‘N Sync, he brought music that leaned towards a European techno style, a genre that was unfamiliar to Galasso, whose roots lay deep in R&B and hip-hop.
As Galasso traveled with Unreal to Atlanta to record a demo, he felt optimistic about their potential. During this time, ‘N Sync was developing their image and preparing for a showcase at Disney’s Pleasure Island. They even visited Shaquille O’Neal‘s impressive home studio in Orlando, but they had yet to record any music or finalize contracts, which would soon prove crucial for Galasso’s decision-making process.
As time passed, both ‘N Sync and Unreal were vying for Galasso’s commitment, leading him to seek legal advice on the contracts presented to him. While the agreement with Unreal was straightforward, the contract from ‘N Sync was shockingly complex, with Pearlman inserting himself as a sixth member, making it “thick as a phone book.” Galasso sensed that the other members were eager to sign without fully understanding the implications, and ultimately, he chose to join the group that was not ‘N Sync.
