Lance Bass Reflects on His Iconic *NSYNC Dance Moves 24 Years Later

If you ever get the chance to learn the “Bye Bye Bye” choreography alongside former members of *NSYNC, just say yes. I did. On the day of the dance class, based in West Hollywood, CA, Lance Bass walked down the staircase at the Heart Weho nightclub first – looking every bit like the Y2K star we know and love. Bandmate and long-time friend Joey Fatone made a surprise appearance shortly afterwards, joining Bass for a mini *NSYNC reunion. As I geared up to learn some of the most iconic moves in boy band history, my inner fangirl evolved into a mild panic. How does one mentally prepare to embarrass themselves in front of such huge stars? But as Lance Bass later reminded me, even members of *NSYNC had to start somewhere.

“*NSYNC taught me how to dance,” Bass tells PS after the class. “I would stay late after every rehearsal just to learn how to have rhythm, because I was a show choir dancer. I knew how to do big moves and jazz hands, but I didn’t know any kind of hip hop moves.” As a former ballet dancer with a perpetually stiff back and hyperextended knees . . . this resonates.

I step onto the dance floor, surrounded by sparkling disco balls and *NSYNC-themed cocktails (special shoutout to the “It’s Gonna Be Mule”), and try my hardest to let loose. Choreography duo Cost n’ Mayor leads us through the “Bye Bye Bye” dance moves step-by-step – all part of Marriott Bonvoy Moments‘ 1-Point Drops, where members can use a single point to bid on exclusive once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

While the class collectively struggles to pick up the choreography, Fatone and Bass meander through the crowd, showing us how it’s done. In 2024, the iconic “Bye Bye Bye” dance is trending on social media, thanks to a revival in “Deadpool.” Still, a lot’s changed since the band first learned the choreography back in 2000. “Dancing has evolved, and I blame that on social media [and] shows like ‘So You Think You Can Dance,'” Bass says.

“In my generation you didn’t see that. You never were encouraged to go out and learn how to dance because you weren’t privy to it. But now you grow up watching all this on TV and having these people to look up to, and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, one day I want to be like that.'”

Social media has undeniably changed the way we view dance, but that doesn’t mean Bass has anything against it. In fact, he’s something of a TikTok star himself (although he’s too humble to admit it). “I love being on that platform because the creativity is just off the charts,” he says. So if given the chance, would *NSYNC have been making TikToks together? “You better believe it,” he says.

“We missed that social media moment. We didn’t have Instagram or anything like that. I would’ve loved it, but we also probably could have gotten in a lot of trouble,” he admits. “Especially that one over there,” he says, pointing to where Fatone is sitting. “If he had his own account back in the nineties, he would’ve probably gotten us canceled a few times.”

It finally comes time to perform, and I work up the courage to join Bass and Fatone onstage, jumping, body rolling, and striking a pose with the best in the biz (and only occasionally flubbing the choreography). By the end of the routine, I’m breaking a sweat, but I watch in awe as the two complete the dance full-out at least 10 more times back-to-back.

As it happens, Bass’s current wellness routine is primarily longevity-driven to sustain this level of performance. “As a dancer, your body hurts after a while. Age definitely starts to get to you. I became diabetic later in life, so the cold plunges [are] amazing. I’m trying to do as much cardio as possible,” he says. “I think we just want to extend our lives for a little bit. No one’s trying to live forever, but if we can just have a better quality of life, that’s all we’re looking for.”

On a physical level, this may mean eating better and exercising more, but Bass places an equal emphasis on his mental health. “That’s something that my generation never looked at, especially as a guy,” he says. “But now the cool thing is really talking about your mental health and ‘what can we do to help combat the problems that we have?'” This is ultimately what led Bass to meditation, which he uses to bring his heart rate down and decrease anxiety. “[I’m] just trying to be in the moment,” he says. “It’s hard to do, but it’s nice to get there.”

Chandler Plante is an assistant editor for PS Health & Fitness. Previously, she worked as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributed to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. In her free time, she overshares on the internet, creating content about chronic illness, beauty, and disability.

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