A founding-era member of NSYNC has discussed why he exited the group before they hit global fame.
NSYNC formed in Florida in 1995 after Chris Kirkpatrick brought the project together. The group went on to release their self-titled debut album in 1997, alongside breakout tracks including I Want You Back.
In the beginning, the lineup featured Kirkpatrick, Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, and Jason Galasso.
Galasso’s time with the act was brief, though. He soon stepped away, and Lance Bass later joined in his place—before the band became a pop mainstay.
Years later, Galasso has revisited that early decision to leave in 1995, around the period the band was preparing to sign with Lou Pearlman, who was later convicted for running fraudulent schemes.
Even though he departed before the group’s rise, Galasso still has an unusual connection to NSYNC’s origin story.
That’s because the name NSYNC was initially designed around the letters tied to the original members.
Timberlake’s mom, Lynn Harless, suggested the concept: the “N” from Justin, “S” from Chris, “Y” from Joey, “N” from Jason, and “C” from JC.
Notably, that early naming idea didn’t account for the “E” that would align with Lance after he joined.
Galasso appears in ID’s docuseries Boy Band Confidential, which revisits major pop groups and is set to air April 13 and April 14, with streaming availability on HBO Max.
In the program, Galasso says his departure came down to deciding against signing Pearlman’s contract.
Reflecting on that moment, he explained: “At that juncture with NSYNC, it didn’t feel right. So I didn’t do it.”
After leaving, his trajectory moved away from the entertainment industry altogether.
So, where did his life lead instead?
“After NSYNC, I went back to college and got my degree,” he said. “Then a buddy of mine I went to school with, he was in the mortgage business, and I’ve been doing that ever since.”
Still, it’s hard to avoid wondering how things might have turned out if he’d stayed with the group as their success exploded.
When asked whether he dwells on that alternate path, Galasso acknowledged the natural curiosity that comes with big crossroads.
“There’s always going to be those ‘what if’ moments, it’s just human nature,” he said, adding after a momentary silence: “I don’t know, I don’t know.”
NSYNC would ultimately go on to sell around 70 million records worldwide.