This page compiles monthly references to *NSYNC’s public activity, individual projects, and media narratives surrounding their hiatus throughout 2003. Entries are sourced from period-specific interviews, fan reports, broadcast transcripts, and digital archives—including web crawls, screenshot captures, and forum excerpts. The index prioritizes source transparency and chronological clarity over interpretation or speculation.Sources for the pages below can be found HERE
January - Joey Fatone told MTV News that *NSYNC was expected to begin writing in September, prompting his appearance in multiple episodes of My Big Fat Greek Life. In a separate Channel V Australia webchat, Justin Timberlake stated he had not started writing for his next solo album and hoped *NSYNC would begin work on a new group album by the end of the year.
February - JC Chasez called in to MTV’s first annual Total Request Live Awards and mentioned a prospective timeframe for *NSYNC’s next album. DotMusic.com published an article about JC’s solo release that included Justin Timberlake expressing optimism about the group recording together again. Separately, FoxNews.com reported that Lance Bass anticipated returning to space training in October, a plan that appeared to conflict with *NSYNC’s proposed September recording schedule. When asked if it would be the group’s final album, Justin replied, “No one knows what will happen, do we?”
March - MTV News published an article stating that new music from *NSYNC was expected in 2004, with a possible comedy album from Joey Fatone preceding it. Joey explained that JC and Justin had written several songs, and tracks that did not fit their solo albums might be used for the next group release. Lance Bass noted that the group intended to produce much of the new album independently and that future tour plans would include solo performances from individual members.
April - Billboard reported that *NSYNC had no touring plans in place, but was expected to enter the studio in the fall with a revamped approach for mature audiences. BBC Radio 1 quoted Lance Bass stating the next album was scheduled for release by the end of the year, emphasizing that each member’s solo efforts would strengthen the group’s return. In a separate interview with Yahoo! LAUNCH, Lance said the group had begun writing and anticipated recording in September, though he believed the album might not be ready until early 2004. Entertainment Weekly published quotes from JC Chasez confirming plans for a fresh reunion, describing the next record as exciting and driven by renewed creative energy.
May - In a Yahoo! LAUNCH interview, Lance Bass emphasized the importance of the group’s next release as a career-defining project, stating that the album must surpass expectations. By this point, Justin Timberlake’s solo promotion for Justified was ongoing, JC Chasez’s solo rollout was anticipated within the year, and Joey’s comments indicated a potential third promotional cycle was emerging alongside group activity.
June - Entertainment Weekly quoted Joey Fatone saying he hoped to fit in solo recording time ahead of *NSYNC’s scheduled fall writing sessions, suggesting his comedy album plans were becoming more definite. MTV News reported that *NSYNC would return to the studio in the fall, featuring a quote from Justin Timberlake describing the group’s future sound as “new, creative and different,” though he emphasized uncertainty about its direction. In a TV Guide Insider article, Joey Fatone confirmed a September start date for writing and recording, stating the group hoped to finish studio work by the end of the year and release the album in early 2004.
July -
August - Chris Kirkpatrick told The Kidd Kraddick Show that *NSYNC planned to return to the studio in September, but acknowledged scheduling challenges due to promotional commitments for Justin Timberlake’s and JC Chasez’s solo projects. He described the timeline for a group release as unpredictable and emphasized their shared friendship over formal plans. Separately, a Popdirt.com contributor quoted Justin Timberlake saying the group would not reunite in September, and that he would be taking a break. Another anonymous Popdirt post, attributed to a fan encounter with Joey Fatone, claimed *NSYNC had no plans to record in the fall or winter and that Justin intended to start work on a second solo album in early 2004.
September - Joey Fatone participated in a fan club web chat hosted on NSYNC.com on September 15th, where he stated that the group was currently writing and planned to begin recording in early 2004. Highlights from the chat included a mention of the Celebrity Tour DVD’s holiday release. Within days, the transcript link was removed and replaced with a placeholder message reading “Sorry Charlie…”. Popdirt.com published a brief summary and quote from the event, while fan site posts preserved details about the chat’s timing and content.
October - JC Chasez told YM Magazine that *NSYNC had never intended to split up, describing the group as family and confirming plans to return to the studio in October. LAUNCH.com and MTV News both reported that any group reunion would now follow the release of JC’s solo album, with Justin Timberlake stating the album was expected around March and the band’s return could happen by spring or summer. In an interview with KZHT, JC confirmed that the group had held a conference call and anticipated recording together once his solo album debuted on January 27th.
November - In interviews with KIIS FM and Channel 93.3, JC Chasez emphasized that *NSYNC had not split up and confirmed plans for the group to begin demoing new songs in the spring of 2004. He stated that all members supported each other's solo efforts and clarified that the group still discussed reconvening to work on their next album. Separately, Chris Kirkpatrick’s mother, Beverly Eustice, shared in a fan Q&A that Chris remained focused on *NSYNC while also developing his own music, describing the group as his first love and expressing uncertainty about Justin Timberlake’s future involvement.
December - The Boston Globe reported that *NSYNC had engaged in casual conversations about regrouping, and suggested the band would likely begin work on a new album toward the end of 2004. The article stated that the reunion timeline would follow JC Chasez’s promotional cycle for his solo debut Schizophrenic.