Fans react to *NSYNC reunion at MTV VMAS
The MTV VMAs continue to be one of the biggest nights in music and pop culture. This year was the award show’s 40th anniversary and was hosted by Nicki Minaj and featured performances by Olivia Rodrigo, Demi Lovato and Fall Out Boy.
Additionally, there was a Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Medley that included DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Lil Wayne, LL Cool J and Minaj.
One of the biggest moments of the night however was *NSYNC reuniting on stage for the first time in 10 years. The group was last on TV together at the 2013 VMAs where they performed a medley of their songs moments before Justin Timberlake was awarded the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Before that the group had been together to receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and for a brief performance at Coachella alongside Ariana Grande, but without Timberlake.
Timberlake took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a short video of himself and his bandmates JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Lance Bass and Joey Fatone.
So five guys walk into an elevator… pic.twitter.com/YUvYsMa25n
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) September 13, 2023
Fans have speculated the group might be reuniting at the VMAs after members were spotted throughout New York days before the award show.
im
panicking.all of nsync is in nyc rn. what is happening.
— cait (@caitnicole__) September 11, 2023
we have confirmation 4/5 of nsync is in new york…………….. pic.twitter.com/JrFnOHJpg4
— lauren (@shaybensons) September 11, 2023
all the members of *NSYNC in new york right now…
— kpip ⁷ (ꪜ) (@ourladyofBTS) September 12, 2023
I will be at the VMAs tomorrow and am manifesting an NSYNC reunion as they are currently in New York it needs to happen
— Jordana (@jordanataylor) September 12, 2023
the nsync Fandom currently pic.twitter.com/aAOphmH5KC
— Tracy (@FrickingKaos) September 11, 2023
Some fans were lucky enough to be able to witness the reunion in person, including none other than Taylor Swift.
Alright, you asked and we delivered! Here’s your extra special #poVMA view of @taylorswift13 and @icespicee_ watching *NSYNC from the audience at the #VMAs! pic.twitter.com/AJm2uRY9Ft
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 13, 2023
The group was there to present the award for best pop, which they won for “Bye Bye Bye” in 2000. “It was our first VMA and it meant the world to us,” said Chasez.
YOU VOTED, and now @taylorswift13 is this year's #VMA Best Pop winner!! pic.twitter.com/fN1B93crW2
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 13, 2023
Iconic moments, 23 years apart @NSYNC #VMAs pic.twitter.com/xA5VamdXbg
— MTV (@MTV) September 13, 2023
| Taylor Swift reacting to @NSYNC reuniting at the @vmas! #VMA
— Taylor Swift News ???? (@TSwiftNZ) September 13, 2023
This year the category included a majority of female popstars including Swift, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, Demi Lovato, Pink and Olivia Rodrigo. Ed Sheeran was the only male artist nominated in the category for his video “Eyes Closed.” Ultimately the award went to, as Timberlake put it, “the unstoppable Taylor Swift” for “Anti-Hero” which she wrote, directed and starred in.
Swift was in for a treat as she joined the ’90s heartthrobs on stage where Bass gifted her some friendship bracelets, a trend that has become popular at her Eras Tour.
“I’m not doing well pivoting from this to this,” said Swift as she gestured to *NSYNC and her moon person trophy. After sharing that she had the groups dolls she asked the question that was on everyone’s mind “Are you doing something, what’s going to happen now? They’re going to do something and I need to know what it is.”
| @NSYNC giving Taylor Swift friendship bracelets #VMA
pic.twitter.com/KK7M0yRz6u— Taylor Swift News ???? (@TSwiftNZ) September 13, 2023
@mtv #TaylorSwift just accepted Best Pop from #NSYNC at the 2023 VMAs!!! CONGRATULATIONS
Fans echoed Swift’s reaction on social media.
@sweetbabyraexo #nsync #nsyncfan #nsynctok #nsyncbyebyebye #nsyncfanforlife #nsyncreunioplease #nsyncreunion2024 #nsyncvmas2023 #vmas #vmas2024 #videomusicawards #fyp #fypシ #viral #tiktok #reaction #whyamicrying #mtv
@juliaq_____ THEY ARE TOGETHER AT THE VMAs!!!! THERE HAS TO BE MORE. I KNOW IT. IT IS OFFICIAL #nsync #nsyncreunion #nsyncvmas #vmas
THEIR REACTIONS TO TAYLORS COMMENT. OH THEY ARE SOOOOO DOING SOMETHING. #Nsync #VMAs pic.twitter.com/WaT4TOVrad
— Kelsie (@KelsieL90) September 13, 2023
Announce a tour or new album you cowards @NSYNC #VMAs #NSYNC pic.twitter.com/CStH4EJMqc
— Jon Ruiz (@J_Ruiz20) September 13, 2023
Taking a homework break for this iconic moment was everything I needed to get the motivation to get er done.
Our fandom has been waiting for this moment. Step 1 complete #nsync #VMAs #trolls #takeyoutoabetterplace https://t.co/nFwNbv7kCH
— Prisilla Sofia (@PrisillaSofia) September 13, 2023
Anybody else just feel like whatever age they were in 1999? #Trolls#NSYNCxVMAs#nsync_vmas #weloveyouNSYNC#NSYNCforever#VMAs @NSYNC pic.twitter.com/dCDuJrPFYZ
— Cam Jones (@Jelli_Mac) September 13, 2023
I legit just fell to the floor.
— TDAWG (@tdawgsmitty) September 13, 2023
*NSYNC is coming!! Ahhhhh!! Yes *NSYNC, please do take me to a better place!! pic.twitter.com/e8AQSU1SRH
— Briana loves Lansten (@LanceBassLove) August 30, 2023
Some were disappointed that while the group were back together again, they didn’t perform on the VMAs stage.
so nsync reunited on the vmas but didn't sing? pic.twitter.com/ODW5xXswwz
— Amanda (@hockeychick57) September 13, 2023
#VMAs did i already miss the 30 second nsync appearance? are they not even performing their new troll song??? did my dad text me to let me know my faves were gonna be on this show for nothing?
— katsian andor (@dogunderwater) September 13, 2023
It’s been speculated that the group has a new song in the upcoming movie “Trolls Band Together,” the third Trolls film in the Dreamworks franchise which Timberlake stars in. The third installment focuses on the revelation that Timberlake’s character Branch was once in a Boy band with his four brothers.
Me = = The first NSYNC song in over 20 years + the soundtrack for the next “Trolls” movie + first being promoted by the #VMAs
— Monica. (@macintoshmoon) September 13, 2023
Me when they followed @NSYNC presenting at the VMAs with the new Trolls movie trailer pic.twitter.com/FWOcIV4ljZ
— Sarina (@sarinamay93) September 13, 2023
We all heard the new @NSYNC song in the @Trolls trailer right? #VMAs pic.twitter.com/Tys9wW646G
— Nicole Michalik (@NicoleisNik) September 13, 2023
Playing the new NSYNC song in the Trolls trailer!! pic.twitter.com/9XzLPSHhdf
— ÐɪƓɪŤΛŁ ƓƐŤÐØƜЛ ᥫ᭡ (@kingchasez) September 13, 2023
Fans got to hear a snippet of the rumored song “Take You to a Better Place” last week when Bob Baker Marionette performed a medley of *NSYNC songs with puppet versions of the Boy band at Universal Studios CityWalk and outside of the Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
For anyone who couldn’t attend the @NSYNC Bob Baker Marionette Theater performances… here are my vids from today’s show at 3pm! (A thread) #NSYNC_Better_Place#Better_Place#MissionNSYNC#trollingforclues pic.twitter.com/u3okK75VfF
— Tater Tati (@tatibee711) September 8, 2023
@allisongarrison07 It’s happening! It’s really happening! Don’t mind my squeals I’m just being taken to a better place! #nsync #takeyoutoabetterplace #trolls @Chris Kirkpatrick @JC_Chasez @Lance Bass @JOEY CALZONE @Justin Timberlake @Bethany V
@justice4jc What do you guys think? New Nsync song for trolls?? Take you to a better place #nsync #jcchasez #justiceforjcchasez #lancebass #fyp #joeyfatone #chriskirkpatrick #justintimberlake #trolls #nsyncreunion #nsynctiktok
Many fans assume that the reason the band has not confirmed their involvement in the movie is that they are supporting the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
*Nsync reuniting to perform a song from "Trolls" at the VMAs but not being able to discuss anything about it because of WGA & SAG-AFTRA strikes. Beautiful lack of scabbing. Also will they reunite every 10 years like boyband version of locusts or Eugene Tooms?
— Julia (@sparkymonster) September 12, 2023
So @NSYNC is reuniting to present an award tonight at the #VMAs. They are not performing due to the writers/actors strike. But why would they reunite just to present? They must have something else in the works beyond this Trolls 3 song . #MyTake #VMAs2023
— #???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@realtalkwithjp) September 12, 2023