Lance Bass Jokes *NSYNC Would’ve Released New Music a ‘Lot Quicker’ If They’d Had a ‘Drag Out Fight’ Like Other Groups

In September, *NSYNC reunited to release “Better Place”

*NSYNC in Hollywood in November 2023. Photo:Monica Schipper/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Gett

There’s no breaking that *NSYNC bond — but it might’ve been worthwhile for new music.

Months after the boyband got back together to release a song for the latest Trolls film, Lance Bass reflected on *NSYNC’s years-long friendship after their split in 2004.

“[It] was always confusing to me,” Bass, 44, said of instances where other boybands have a big falling out. “I’m like, ‘Well, why did it take us this long to actually do another song?’ Because all these other groups that actually hate each other been making music forever. How did they do that?”

He joked, “I’m like, ‘Well, maybe we should have a had a knockdown, drag-out fight. We should have maybe gotten together a lot quicker.'”

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*NSYNC released their first single in over 20 years, titled “Better Place,” in September for Trolls Band Together. In November, the group — which includes Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick — walked the red carpet together at the premiere in Los Angeles.

Although the “Bye Bye Bye” band has reunited in the past — teaming up for their Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2018 and in honor of Timberlake’s video vanguard award at the 2013 MTV VMAs — this is the first time they ever dropped new music since the split.

Lance Bass in Hollywood in November 2023.Albert L. Ortega/Getty

On the possibility of an upcoming tour, Bass told PEOPLE said they hadn’t ruled out the idea.

“Because of this experience and just seeing what the fan reaction was, it really encouraged us to discuss something else. So we are talking now. We’re just throwing out all kinds of ideas,” he says.

As for their relationships over the years, Bass said the band “always kept in touch” and “talked weekly.”

“For the last 25 years we always are in each other’s lives. It’s hard to see each other physically, especially all five of us. But this was nice to be able to all get together and do a fun project. Most of us are dads now, so it just means so much more,” he says.

Getting back together in the studio, he says, was like “riding a bike.”

“It was like no day had passed with all of us. We revert to be in those teenagers that are telling the stupid fart jokes and it was a really great experience. It just really brought us back to that nostalgic feeling,” he says. “And you forget how much you miss those guys physically just being around them. Those are my brothers for life. They will always be my family.”