NSYNC isn't bidding farewell with a "Bye, Bye, Bye" this time around. Instead, the key players from boy bands are unveiling their stories in the Paramount+ documentary, "Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands," premiering on November 12. Directed by Tamra Davis, whose credits include "Crossroads" and "Billy Madison," this documentary delves into the rise – and occasional fall – of boy bands, from The Beatles and The Jackson 5 to the Jonas Brothers, One Direction, and even the K-pop sensation Seventeen.
"Larger Than Life" offers a glimpse into what it was like to be a member of a boy band during their heyday. The trailer kicks off with Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block declaring, "I love boy bands. I'm proud to be in a boy band." It also features insightful commentary from AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Lance Bass and Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, and Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees, all reflecting on their impact and experiences as part of their respective groups. Johnny Wright, the acclaimed music manager who oversaw the careers of Menudo, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, and Justin Timberlake, also shares his unique insights.
Lachey admits that 98 Degrees was always keenly aware of their ranking on "TRL's" countdown each day, hinting at the challenges they faced: "When you're in a boy band, you endure incredibly tough times." The documentary is also a tribute to the devoted fans who follow boy bands. As one One Direction fan puts it in the trailer, "One Direction fans are like the CIA. We had eyes on them." McLean acknowledges how crucial these fans are to their success: "We wouldn't be who we are without the fans."
Produced by Wright and Van Toffler for Gunpowder & Sky, "Larger Than Life" boasts executive producers Barry Barclay, Floris Bauer, and Joanna Zwickel for Gunpowder & Sky, along with Bruce Gillmer, Vanessa WhiteWolf, and Michael Maniaci for MTV Entertainment Studios.
