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Chris Kirkpatrick
Chris Kirkpatrick
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Christopher Alan Kirkpatrick (born October 17, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, music producer, podcaster, and actor. He founded the pop group NSYNC, in which he sang countertenor. The band has sold over 70 million records, becoming one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.[1] Kirkpatrick was the lead singer in various songs including "Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)", "Together Again", "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", "I Thought She Knew", "Just Got Paid", and many songs from their Christmas album, Home for Christmas.

In television, he played Chip Skylark on the Nickelodeon series The Fairly OddParents. Kirkpatrick has also participated in numerous reality TV shows, including Celebrity Big Brother, The Masked Singer, and Gone Country.

Early life and education

[edit]

Kirkpatrick was born on October 17, 1971, in Clarion, Pennsylvania to single mother, Beverly Eustice, when she was 16 years old. She raised him on her own along with his four younger half-sisters (Molly, Kate, Emily, and Taylor). He is of Irish, Scottish, Native American, and Hispanic descent.[2]

Kirkpatrick and his family grew up in poverty and on welfare, sometimes homeless and living out of a car, and had to move around a lot. As a result, he attended many different schools and lived in several states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, South Carolina, and California.[3] At one point, his family lived in a trailer during the winter with no electricity and a hole in the side of it, and his mother had to pile dirty laundry in front of it to keep the snow from coming in. Since his family could not afford to wash their clothes, he rarely had clean clothes to wear and had to sleep in the piles of dirty laundry at night to keep warm.[4] Kirkpatrick recalls frequently going without food and not always knowing where their next meal would come from, often relying on food stamps, free school lunches, and donated items to survive. To help his mom cover the bills he began working on a farm while still in grade school.[5][6] Due to his family's financial problems and his ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Kirkpatrick struggled in school.[7]

Despite their financial struggles, Kirkpatrick's family had a musical background: his mother was a vocal coach, his grandmother trained in opera, his grandfather was a country-western singer, and his aunts and uncles were all in bands. Kirkpatrick also showed a keen talent for music from a young age. In sixth grade, while living in Oil City, Pennsylvania, Kirkpatrick won the lead role as Oliver Twist in the city's high school musical production of Oliver!. From then on, he began to study music more seriously, enrolling in gifted classes for music and learning to play a number of different instruments.[2] In seventh grade, he moved to Dalton, Ohio, and attended Dalton High School where he continued his involvement in music, starring as Lieutenant Joseph Cable in his school's production of South Pacific and appearing in many other musical productions throughout high school. In addition to musicals, Kirkpatrick participated in his school's choir, and made the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, which opened for New Kids on the Block at the Ohio State Fair. Besides music, Kirkpatrick also participated heavily in sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and track.[2][8][3][6]

After graduating from high school in 1990, he moved to Orlando, Florida, to get to know his biological father, who offered to help him pay for college. He attended Valencia College, where he originally intended to pursue an acting career in theatre. However, he changed his major to music after receiving scholarships for his involvement in Valencia's choir. While at Valencia, Kirkpatrick began forming various a cappella groups and arranging music to practice and perform at coffee shops. Later, he auditioned and became involved as a caroler for the Caroling Company, which eventually led him to a job as a doo-wop singer at Universal Studios. Kirkpatrick received his associate degree in music in 1993.[7][9]

Afterwards, Chris received another scholarship to attend Rollins College where he studied music and psychology and worked performing at Universal Studios Florida as a member of a doo-wop group called The Hollywood Hi-Tones, as a photographer at Sea World, waiting tables at Outback Steakhouse, and as a local DJ.[10]

Career

[edit]

In 1994, while working at Universal Studios and singing in The Hollywood Hi-Tones (a throwback doo-wop group of aspiring singers and actors) Chris Kirkpatrick was introduced to Lou Pearlman through Charlie Edwards, a mutual friend that he had met in choir. Edwards had briefly been a part of the Backstreet Boys before quitting, and had heard that Pearlman was interested in financing another vocal group, so he passed the information to Kirkpatrick.[10]

Originally, when the Backstreet Boys were forming Kirkpatrick was unaware about their auditions so he never tried out. [11] However, after hearing about what Lou Pearlman was doing with the Backstreet Boys (he was acquainted with Howie Dorough), Kirkpatrick became interested in doing more than just a cappella. When Pearlman finally met Chris Kirkpatrick and saw him perform in his doo-wop group, Lou immediately took an interest in him. They discussed the idea for Kirkpatrick to form a vocal group, which Pearlman promised to finance if Kirkpatrick could find other young singers to join him.[7]

Kirkpatrick took the opportunity, and after over a year of searching and trying out different people he eventually recruited Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez (members of the 1990s Mickey Mouse Club revival), and the three formed the nucleus of NSYNC. Later, Chris recruited Joey Fatone who was also working at Universal Studios at the time. After some difficulty finding a consistent bass singer, the group eventually found Lance Bass through Justin's vocal coach, and the group collectively came together in September 1995.[12]

The group moved into a house together and began practicing their singing and choreography in a warehouse in Orlando for hours to help train their vocals and stamina. Shortly after Lance joined the group, they recorded their first performance at Pleasure Island in Orlando as their demo for record companies. Afterwards, Chris dropped out of Rollins College to pursue a music career with NSYNC in Germany.[7]

NSYNC

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Chris Kirkpatrick circa 1999

With NSYNC, Kirkpatrick sold over seventy million records throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. He sang countertenor/soprano and lead in various songs including "Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)", "Together Again", "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", "That's the Way Love Goes", "I Thought She Knew", "Just Got Paid", and many songs from their Christmas album.[13]

Initially signed to Ariola Records in Germany, NSYNC's self-titled debut album was released in Europe in 1997 and internationally the following year, selling eleven million copies. Their debut album produced a number of singles including "I Want You Back", "Tearin' Up My Heart", "Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)", "(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You", and "Here We Go".

On November 10, 1998, the group released a holiday album, Home for Christmas. The album peaked at number 7 and sold 2 million copies, with their most popular song being "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays". With this, NSYNC achieved the rare feat of having two albums in the Billboard Top 10 at the same time. Later the next year, the band had a series of highly publicized financial and legal struggles with Lou Pearlman. They were eventually released from their contracts with Pearlman in 1999 and signed with Jive Records.[14]

NSYNC's sophomore album, No Strings Attached, was released the following year and sold a record-breaking 2.4 million copies in its first week and by the end of the year had sold over 9.9 million copies making it the best-selling album of the year.[15] The album produced 3 hit singles including "Bye Bye Bye", "It's Gonna Be Me", and "This I Promise You". Not only was No Strings Attached the best-selling album of 2000,[16] but it was also the second-best selling album of the decade behind The Beatles' 1.[17]

NSYNC's third album, Celebrity, was released in July 2001 and produced three hit singles: "Pop", "Gone", and "Girlfriend". NSYNC's Celebrity album sold 1,879,955 copies in its first week,[18] making it the second-fastest-selling album in SoundScan history at the time, only behind the group's previous album No Strings Attached.[19] The Celebrity album featured more creative involvement from the group, who wrote and produced many of their own tracks, of which Kirkpatrick is credited for writing the song "Falling".

After their Celebrity Tour, NSYNC announced in April 2002 that they would be taking a hiatus, and each member of the group began venturing into their own solo projects. Although NSYNC never officially broke up, they have not reunited, with mixed responses from members as to whether a reunion would ever happen. NSYNC's last official performance was at the 2003 Grammys during their Bee Gees medley tribute, however, the band briefly came together to perform at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards during Timberlake's Video Vanguard Award performance.

In 2018, all five members reunited when they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[20] In April 2019, NSYNC reunited without Timberlake for a one-off performance with Ariana Grande for her headlining set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

In September 2023, a new NSYNC song, "Better Place" was announced following a reunion of the band at the MTV Video Music Awards. The song, part of the soundtrack to the movie Trolls Band Together was released September 29, 2023. In addition to their song, all five members also made cameos as trolls for the movie, which was premiered in the U.S. on November 17, 2023. As part of their reunion, they also recorded an episode of the show Hot Ones (released September 21, 2023) and reminisced while discussing their legacy.[21][22][23]

Solo music

[edit]

After NSYNC disbanded, Kirkpatrick started working on several musical projects, including writing and singing lead for his alternative rock band Nigel's 11 (also written as Nigels 11 or Nigels11). Nigel's 11 was an American alternative rock band officially formed in Florida in 2007 by Chris Kirkpatrick, and consisted of Chris Kirkpatrick (lead vocalist), Mike Bosch (guitar), Dave Carreiro (bass), and Ernie Longoria (drums). The band was originally called The Little Red Monsters when Kirkpatrick debuted their first songs at the April Fool's Ball in 2004 before the group's name and lineup changed.[24]

Nigel's 11 began working on their album in 2009 and released their first album, Clandestine Operation, independently in 2010. The album featured five original songs: "Who Am I?", "All The Way Around", "Mr. Jealousy", "Get Out", and "Crazy Girl". The songs from Clandestine Operation focused heavily on themes of overcoming personal struggles and issues of self-identity. Kirkpatrick stated that his band's sound was influenced by various 1970s and 1980s rock groups that he admired such as Electric Light Orchestra, Queen, and Boston.[25]

Nigel's 11 also made a number of other songs that were not included on their debut album, but were released either online or at live shows, including "All She Wrote", "Say You Will", "Tokyo", "Jodi's Song", "Everybody Gets Lost", and "My World". Some of their music was also included in the soundtrack for A Christmas Snow, and included an original song, called "All Alone", as well as a punk rock remix of a traditional Christmas song, "O Come, All Ye Faithful".[26]

Nigel's 11 eventually stopped performing together due to geographical distance and Kirkpatrick's busy schedule of managing and producing music for other artists at the time.[27][28]

Television and film

[edit]

In addition to his solo music, Kirkpatrick also became involved in voice acting, providing his voice for the famous popstar character Chip Skylark (a caricature of Kirkpatrick himself) on the animated television series The Fairly OddParents on Nickelodeon. Having appeared in numerous episodes spanning from 2002 to 2009, his character did many songs such as "My Shiny Teeth and Me", "Find Your Voice", and "Icky Vicky", and developed a significant fan following.[29][30]

In 2007, Kirkpatrick agreed to host and star in the MTV reality show Mission Man Band alongside the late Rich Cronin of LFO as a favor to him as Cronin battled his leukemia. Also on the show was Bryan Abrams of Color Me Badd and Jeff Timmons of 98°. The show was about former boyband members of the 1990s forming a new group together and debuted on August 7, 2007. Kirkpatrick hosted the show at his Orlando house, and the guys formed the supergroup "man band" called Sureshot in which they recorded three original songs, including "Story Of My Life", "Withoutcha", and "Work That Out" and performed at local sporting events, charities, and fairs. The show's last episode aired on January 1, 2008.[31][32][33]

In April 2008, it was announced that Kirkpatrick would be a part of the second season of CMT's show Gone Country. Kirkpatrick participated in Gone Country with other cast members: Sebastian BachIrene Cara (one episode), Mikalah GordonJermaine JacksonLorenzo Lamas, and Sean Young. The show was hosted by John Rich of the country duo Big & Rich. During the show, for which each contestant had to prepare and perform an original song, John Rich told Kirkpatrick that he had one of the strongest songs of the competition with "That'll Get Ya By", which he dedicated to his mother, who he said: "held the family together". On the show, John Rich said that Kirkpatrick impressed many country fans when he stepped on stage and proved he had the writing skills and voice to be a successful country artist. The first place prize of having a record produced by John Rich and the promise of play from Kix Brooks on his radio show went to Sebastian Bach. However, John Rich congratulated Kirkpatrick on his success and told him he had the writing skills and voice to be a successful country artist and that he could see his song going number one as a country hit. The second-season last show episode aired on September 26, 2008.[34][35]

In 2021, Chris Kirkpatrick participated in ABC's A Very Boy Band Holiday with Joey Fatone, Wanya Morris, and other figures from prominent vocal groups. During the special, which aired on December 6, 2021, he sang "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and provided his vocals to numerous other holiday classics.[36]

In 2022, Chris Kirkpatrick participated as a houseguest on the third season of Celebrity Big Brother, which began on February 2, 2022, and was able to win an HoH competition before leaving the show.[37] Kirkpatrick later competed in season eight of The Masked Singer as "Hummingbird". He placed second in his group, but ultimately lost to season eight's winner Amber Riley as "Harp", becoming the third contestant to be unmasked after William Shatner as "Knight" and Eric Idle as "Hedgehog".[38] In 2022, Chris Kirkpatrick was also featured on an episode of MTV Cribs.

Besides television, Kirkpatrick has also done some minor acting in films such as Trolls Band Together where he voiced Trickee, Sharknado 3 where he played a lifeguard, and Dead 7, a 2016 western zombie film written by Nick Carter, where he played the role of Mayor Shelby.[29]

Other ventures

[edit]

In 1999, Kirkpatrick founded a clothing line called FuMan Skeeto, which was a cross between the urban and skater fashion trends of the time. His unisex line of clothing included casual items like T-shirts, shorts, cut-off shirts, long-sleeved jerseys, and hats. Fuman Skeeto also produced specialty clothing items for notable celebrities like Britney Spears as well as members of his own band. The clothing line ceased as of 2002.[39]

In 2002 / 2003, Kirkpatrick was offered the role of Jesus in Broadway's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. However, he turned down the role to spend some time away from the spotlight.[25][40]

In 2004, Kirkpatrick founded his own non-profit organization, the Chris Kirkpatrick Foundation, which seeks to enhance the lives of underprivileged children in central Florida by providing health care as well as educational, developmental and monitoring programs, citing his own difficult childhood as his major inspiration for starting the foundation. In addition to these programs, his foundation also hosts annual events for children.[25][40]

Since NSYNC, Kirkpatrick has also appeared in various music videos for other artists including "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" by Good Charlotte, "2nd Sucks" by A Day to Remember, "Irresistible" by Fall Out Boy featuring Demi Lovato, and "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" (2019 Version) by David Archuleta.

Currently, Kirkpatrick continues to write and produce music, work with charities, manage other artists, host and perform events across the country (including the Pop2000 Tour with O-Town, Smash Mouth, Ryan Cabrera, LFO, and Mark McGrath), co-host his podcast Name Drop with Brian McFayden, and has collaborated on songs with various artists, including David Foster ("I Will"), Blake Lewis ("She's Makin Me Lose It"), AJ McLean's project ATCK ("Air"), and Tony Lucca ("Wiggle It Out").

Personal life

[edit]

Relationships

[edit]

Kirkpatrick kept his relationship status relatively private until 2010, when he started dating Karlyn M. Skladany. In October 2012, Kirkpatrick proposed to her in Capri, Italy. They married on November 2, 2013, at the Loews Resort Hotel in Orlando, Florida, with all his former NSYNC bandmates in attendance as ushers.[41] In March 2017, the couple announced that they were expecting a child.[42] His wife gave birth to his son on October 10, 2017.[43]

In 2018, Kirkpatrick sold his half-acre estate (dubbed Casa Della Musica) in Orlando, Florida, after having moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2016, where he currently resides with his wife and son.[44]

Controversies

[edit]

After Eminem's arrest in 2000, Chris Kirkpatrick was quoted as saying:

His arrest is karma. It's really sad when people have to put everybody else down to make themselves look good. The guy's digging himself a grave, and soon he's not gonna have any friends.

As a result, in 2002 Kirkpatrick was name dropped in Eminem's hit song "Without Me". The rapper told MTV's Total Request Live that the reason he name dropped him was because Kirkpatrick was the only boyband member who had the guts to say something back to him, after the rapper attacked the group and boybands in general on his last album.[45]

Discography

[edit]

NSYNC

[edit]

Nigel's 11

[edit]
  • Clandestine Operation (2010)

Filmography

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1999 NSYNC: N'The Mix Himself
2000 NSYNC: Live From Madison Square Garden Himself
2000 NSYNC: Making The Tour Himself
2001 NSYNC: Bigger Than Live Himself
2001 NSYNC: Popodyssey Live Himself
2001 On the Line Angelo (the hairstylist)
2001 Longshot Pizza Patron
2002 The Reel NSYNC Himself
2015 Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! Pool Lifeguard
2016 Dead 7 Mayor Shelby
2019 The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story Himself
2023 Trolls Band Together Trickee (voice)
2024 Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam Himself
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 TV series) Himself
1999 Clueless Himself
1999 Touched By An Angel Street Performer
2000 Hollywood Squares Himself (panelist)
2000 Sesame Street Himself
2000 Saturday Night Live No Refund
2001 The Simpsons Himself
2001 MadTV Himself ("This 'N' That with Rusty")
2002–2009 The Fairly OddParents Chip Skylark, Skip Sparkypants (voices) 3 episodes
2004 Stripperella Josh Justin Jason
2007 Mission Man Band Himself
2008 Gone Country Himself (contestant)
2016 Angie Tribeca Chad
2017 Return of the Mac Himself
2017 Celebrity Family Feud Himself (contestant)
2018 King of the Golden Sun Cruise Ship Singer
2018 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Himself
2019 Lights Out with David Spade Himself
2021 A Very Boy Band Holiday Himself
2022 Celebrity Big Brother Himself
2022 The Masked Singer Hummingbird / Himself Season 8 contestant
2022 MTV Cribs Himself
2023 Hot Ones Himself
2024 I Can See Your Voice Himself

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

As supporting act

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Christopher Alan Kirkpatrick (born October 17, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, music producer, actor, and podcaster, best known as the founding member and of the NSYNC. Born in , Kirkpatrick grew up in a musical family and began performing in doo-wop groups at Universal Studios in , before assembling NSYNC in 1995 with fellow vocalists , , , and . The group achieved massive global success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, releasing hit albums including their self-titled debut (1998, certified 10x platinum in the U.S.), No Strings Attached (2000, the best-selling album of the year with 2.4 million first-week sales), and (2001, certified 5x platinum), while earning eight Grammy nominations, three , and a star on the in 2018. Following NSYNC's hiatus after 2002, Kirkpatrick pursued solo endeavors, forming the alternative rock band Nigel (later Nigel's 11) and releasing the EP Clandestine Operation in 2010, as well as launching a clothing line called FuMan Skeeto. He expanded into acting and voice work, providing vocals for characters on animated series such as The Fairly OddParents (2002–2010) and Stripperella (2003–2004), and appearing in films and TV projects including Dead 7 (2016), A Very Boy Band Holiday (2021), and as a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother Season 3 (2022) and The Masked Singer Season 8 (2022). In 2023, NSYNC reunited for the single "Better Place" from the Trolls Band Together soundtrack and a reunion at the MTV Video Music Awards to present an award, marking their first new music in over 20 years and celebrating the group's 30th anniversary in 2025. Kirkpatrick continues to perform live, including as host of the Pop 2000 Tour in 2024–2025, alongside events like the Boy Band Symphony and free concerts. On the personal front, Kirkpatrick married educator Karly Skladany in November 2013, and the couple welcomed their son, Nash Dylan, in October 2017; they reside in , and marked their 12th wedding anniversary in November 2025. He founded The Chris Kirkpatrick Foundation to support underprivileged children in through music and arts programs. Kirkpatrick maintains close ties with his bandmates via an active group chat, where they share memes and updates, though full reunion tours or films have not materialized due to scheduling conflicts as of 2025.

Early life

Childhood and family

Chris Kirkpatrick was born on October 17, 1971, in , to Beverly Eustice. He was raised primarily by his single mother along with four younger half-sisters. Following his parents' when he was young, Kirkpatrick's faced significant financial hardship, with his mother taking on various jobs such as maid work and odd tasks to support them, while his stepfather, a worker, struggled to maintain steady employment. The endured , residing in unheated trailers with structural damage, cheap motels lacking basic utilities like electricity and telephone service, and at times even living out of their car when possible. These challenging circumstances were compounded by frequent relocations across several states, including to . Kirkpatrick later reflected on this period, stating, "I grew up very poor with nothing." Kirkpatrick's early exposure to music came through his family's musical background, which sparked his initial interest in performance, though formal musical pursuits would develop later.

Education

Kirkpatrick graduated from Dalton High School in Dalton, Ohio, where he actively participated in musical productions and choir, honing his vocal skills through roles in school plays and involvement in the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir. In his late teens, Kirkpatrick moved to , to reconnect with his biological father, who offered financial support for his college education. He enrolled at , initially pursuing theater before shifting focus to music studies. There, he earned an in music in 1993, during which time he began exploring vocal performance through college ensembles. Kirkpatrick then transferred to in , to continue his music education with an emphasis on vocal performance and , joining the college's chamber to further develop his abilities. To support himself, he took part-time jobs, including performing as a vocalist in the doo-wop group The Hollywood Hi-Tones at Universal Studios Orlando, an experience that ignited his passion for professional entertainment. Throughout his years, Kirkpatrick faced challenges in balancing rigorous academic demands with extracurricular , such as local DJ gigs and backing vocal work, which often pulled him away from full-time studies and ultimately led him to leave Rollins after three years without completing his degree.

Career

NSYNC

Chris Kirkpatrick founded the in 1995 after encountering music manager while working at Universal Studios in . Impressed by Kirkpatrick's vocal talent during an audition for another group, Pearlman enlisted him to assemble a rival act to the , leading Kirkpatrick to recruit , , , and over the following months. As the oldest member, born in 1971, Kirkpatrick served as a and provided lead vocals on select tracks, including the group's cover of Christopher Cross's "" from their debut album and the single "," which helped establish their harmonic style. His high-range vocals contributed to NSYNC's signature layered sound, often handling harmonies and ad-libs that added emotional depth to ballads and uptempo songs. NSYNC's self-titled debut album, 'N Sync, was released internationally in 1997, initially in Germany via BMG Ariola Munich, where it topped charts and marked their breakthrough in Europe with hits like "Tearin' Up My Heart." The album sold over 11 million copies worldwide, driven by energetic pop tracks and synchronized choreography that captivated teen audiences across the continent. The group achieved massive U.S. success with their second album, No Strings Attached, released in March 2000, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 2.4 million copies in its first week—a record for the highest single-week album sales in the U.S. at the time. Standout singles "Bye Bye Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me" dominated airwaves and MTV, with "Bye Bye Bye" reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and symbolizing the band's declaration of independence from former management. NSYNC's third and final studio album, , arrived in July 2001, debuting at number one on the with 1.88 million first-week sales and featuring hits like "" and "Pop" that experimented with more mature pop-R&B influences. By 2002, following a sold-out world tour, the group announced an indefinite hiatus to pursue individual projects, having collectively sold over 70 million records worldwide and solidified their status as one of the best-selling boy bands ever. In September 2023, reunited for the first time in over two decades to record the single "Better Place," featured on the for the animated Trolls Band Together, where Timberlake voiced a lead character; the track also included a virtual cameo performance by the full group in the movie. As the band's 30th anniversary approached in 2025, members including Kirkpatrick discussed potential celebrations, but plans for a biopic were shelved due to disagreements over producers and creative direction, while conversations about a possible reunion tour or residency continue without confirmed commitments.

Solo music

Following the hiatus of *NSYNC in 2002, Chris Kirkpatrick pursued endeavors without releasing an official solo studio . In 2009, Kirkpatrick formed the band Nigel's 11 with friends Mike Krompass, Mike Bosch, Dave Carreiro, and Randy Scott, serving as . The group released their debut five-song EP, Clandestine Operation, independently on March 19, 2010, featuring original tracks such as "," "Crazy Girl," and "." Former * bandmate co-wrote one song for the project. Kirkpatrick has received production credits on select tracks for other artists post-*NSYNC, including contributions to reunion efforts like the 2023 single "Better Place" from the Trolls Band Together soundtrack.

Television and film

Kirkpatrick provided the voice for the character Chip Skylark, a pop star parody, in the Nickelodeon animated series The Fairly OddParents from 2001 to 2009. In this role, he performed original songs such as "My Shiny Teeth and Me" and "Icky Vicky I'm Getting Sick All Over You," which became notable within the show's musical episodes. In reality television, Kirkpatrick competed as a contestant on the second season of CMT's Gone Country in 2008, where celebrities attempted to transition into careers under the guidance of host . He later appeared on season 3 of CBS's in 2022, entering as a and navigating alliances and evictions over several weeks. That same year, Kirkpatrick was unmasked as the on season 8 of Fox's The Masked Singer, performing songs like "I Drive Myself Crazy" before his elimination in the second episode. Kirkpatrick made cameo appearances in several films, including a minor role as a patron in the 2001 comedy Longshot. He portrayed a lifeguard in the Syfy disaster film Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! in 2015. In 2016, he played Mayor Shelby in the post-apocalyptic zombie western Dead 7, directed by Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter and featuring an ensemble of former boy band artists. On talk shows, Kirkpatrick joined his *NSYNC bandmates for the season 22 premiere of YouTube's in 2023, where they discussed group anecdotes while eating increasingly spicy chicken wings. Additionally, *NSYNC reunited for a brief voice cameo in the animated film in 2023, contributing to the story's boy band-themed narrative.

Other ventures

Beyond his music and acting endeavors, Kirkpatrick has pursued various media and business interests. In 2023, he co-launched the podcast Name Drop with Chris Kirkpatrick and , where he and co-host , a former executive, interview celebrities about their life stories and pop culture experiences, often touching on the realities of boy band fame. The show, produced by Hurrdat Media, emphasizes nostalgic anecdotes from entertainment figures and has released multiple seasons exploring behind-the-scenes tales. Kirkpatrick has also engaged in radio hosting, appearing as a guest DJ and contributor on platforms like SiriusXM's 90s on 9 channel to discuss history and trends during the and beyond. Entrepreneurially, Kirkpatrick launched the unisex sportswear line FuMan Skeeto in , blending urban and skater influences with comfortable items like T-shirts, jeans, and sweats designed to appeal across demographics. He collaborated on its creative direction, including graphics and styling, and promoted it through fashion events and his tours. Additionally, he has produced and hosted fan-focused events, such as the Pop 2000 Tour, which brings together early artists for nostalgic performances at conventions and festivals. In 2025, Kirkpatrick hosted the Pop 2000 Tour, a 28-date North American run featuring , , , LFO, and , celebrating Y2K-era hits at venues from to casinos in . He also collaborated on A Boy Band Symphony, a series of orchestral concerts with of and Erik-Michael Estrada of , reinterpreting boy band classics like "NSYNC's ''" with full in cities including , Louisville, and . Kirkpatrick supports children's charities, notably participating in St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fundraisers, including the 2011 Beaches Resorts Celebrity Golf Classic and the 2025 Darius and Friends concert, often linking efforts to NSYNC-affiliated reunions and appearances.

Personal life

Relationships and family

Kirkpatrick began a long-term relationship with Karly Skladany, a former player and marketing representative, around 2010. The couple got engaged in October 2012 during a vacation in , where Kirkpatrick proposed spontaneously after purchasing a ring nearby. They married on November 2, 2013, at the Loews Bay Hotel in , in a ceremony attended by approximately 300 guests. Kirkpatrick's former bandmates—, , , and —served as ushers. The couple welcomed their first child, son Nash Dylan Kirkpatrick, on October 10, 2017. In 2016, Kirkpatrick and his family relocated from to the Nashville area, including , to immerse themselves in the local music scene. They share interests in music, with the family actively participating in Nashville's creative community, as well as outdoor activities such as outings and family excursions. Prior to his relationship with Skladany, Kirkpatrick had no other publicly detailed high-profile romances.

Controversies

One of the most significant controversies involving Chris Kirkpatrick stemmed from *NSYNC's financial disputes with their former manager, , who was accused of defrauding the group through misrepresentation and withholding earnings. In 1999, *NSYNC, including Kirkpatrick, filed a $25 million lawsuit against Pearlman and his company, Trans Continental Records, alleging and failure to pay royalties despite the band's commercial success; the case settled out of court in 1999 for an undisclosed amount, allowing the group to retain control over their name and future projects. The escalated in 2007 when Pearlman was federally charged with , , and bankruptcy fraud in a that defrauded investors of over $300 million, much of which involved siphoning funds from boy bands like *NSYNC; Kirkpatrick later described Pearlman as a "snake" and stated he "got what he deserved" following Pearlman's 25-year prison sentence and 2016 death. During *NSYNC's 2001–2002 hiatus, rumors of internal group tensions surfaced, particularly around Justin Timberlake's decision to pursue a solo career with his 2002 album Justified, which some perceived as a permanent pivot away from the band. Kirkpatrick has publicly reflected on the period, noting "a lot of animosity at first" and "" among members due to the lack of communication about Timberlake's plans, which extended what was intended as a six-month break indefinitely. Despite the strain, Kirkpatrick defended the band's unity in subsequent interviews, emphasizing that the members supported Timberlake's ambitions while expressing frustration over the hiatus's impact, and he has dismissed speculation that Timberlake alone blocked potential reunions. Kirkpatrick's participation in the third season of in 2022 led to minor on-air drama, including conflicts with housemate , whom Kirkpatrick labeled a "bully" for allegedly manipulating alliances and targeting weaker players. These tensions contributed to Kirkpatrick's unanimous in Week 2 after he attempted to shift votes against another contestant, , but failed to secure enough support; he later described the experience as intense but attributed his exit to strategic missteps rather than personal vendettas. The incident generated brief media buzz but resulted in no lasting professional or personal fallout for Kirkpatrick. In November 2025, plans for an biopic to mark the group's 30th anniversary were shelved amid reported internal disagreements over producers and conflicting commitments to a potential reunion tour. Sources indicated that the band, including Kirkpatrick, rejected a pitch from producer and could not align on creative control or logistics, shifting focus instead to exploratory discussions for live performances without Timberlake. Kirkpatrick addressed the development in interviews, expressing disappointment but optimism for future collaborations, as revealed during promotional appearances for the band's anniversary events.

Discography

With NSYNC

Kirkpatrick provided lead and backing vocals on 's self-titled debut album 'N Sync, released in 1998, including contributions to tracks such as "." The album achieved commercial success, certified 10× Platinum by the RIAA for sales exceeding 10 million units in the United States. On the follow-up album No Strings Attached (2000), Kirkpatrick delivered harmonies that defined the group's signature sound, notably on lead singles "," certified 5× Platinum by the RIAA, and "," certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA. The album itself was certified 12× Platinum by the RIAA, reflecting its massive impact. Kirkpatrick featured in verses on (2001), including "Pop" and "Gone," where his vocal parts added to the album's layered harmonies. The project earned 5× Platinum certification from the RIAA. NSYNC also released the greatest hits compilation Greatest Hits in 2005, featuring Kirkpatrick's vocals across re-mastered tracks from their catalog. In 2023, the group reunited for the single "Better Place," co-written for the Trolls Band Together soundtrack, which peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. NSYNC's overall discography has sold over 70 million records worldwide, with Kirkpatrick earning songwriting credits on two tracks, including "Falling" from their debut album.

Nigel's 11

Nigel's 11 is an American alternative rock band formed in 2007 by Chris Kirkpatrick, the former *NSYNC member, as a side project during the group's hiatus. The band represented a genre shift for Kirkpatrick, moving from pop to rock-pop influences drawn from 1970s and 1980s acts such as Electric Light Orchestra, Queen, and Boston. The lineup consisted of Kirkpatrick on lead vocals, Mike Bosch on guitar, Dave Carreiro on bass, and Longoria on drums, with additional contributions from musicians like Mike Krompass on guitar. Formed with friends in , the group worked independently without a major label, focusing on building a fanbase through online platforms and live showcases. In 2010, Nigel's 11 released their debut and only EP, , as an independent five-song project available digitally via platforms including and . The EP features original tracks "Who Am I? (Rollercoaster Remix)", "All the Way Around", "", "", and "Crazy Girl", showcasing Kirkpatrick's rock-oriented songwriting and vocals. Production began in 2009, with the release marking the band's sole major output amid Kirkpatrick's other commitments. Following the 2010 release, Nigel's 11 became inactive, with no additional albums or tours announced, as members pursued separate endeavors. The EP has maintained a niche appeal among enthusiasts, with physical CDs reissued in limited quantities as collectibles through Kirkpatrick's official merchandise site.

Other contributions

Kirkpatrick provided the singing voice for the fictional pop star Chip Skylark in the animated series , contributing vocals to several original songs featured in episodes from 2001 to 2008. Notable tracks include "My Shiny Teeth and Me," which appeared in the 2001 episode "Boys in the Band" and was released on the 2004 soundtrack album The Fairly OddParents: Breakin' da Rules, as well as "Icky Vicky" and "What Girls Love." In 2023, Kirkpatrick recorded additional harmonies for *NSYNC's reunion single "Better Place," the group's first new material in over 20 years, which was included on the for the animated Trolls Band Together. The track, produced by Shellback and , debuted at No. 25 on the Hot 100.

Filmography

Television roles

Kirkpatrick provided the voice for the recurring character Chip Skylark, a pop singer idolized by Timmy Turner, across multiple episodes of the animated series from 2001 to 2011. His appearances included notable segments like "Boys in the Band" (season 2, 2001), where Chip is kidnapped by ; "Shiny Teeth" (season 3, 2002), featuring the song "My Shiny Teeth and Me"; "Miss Dimmsdale" (season 4, 2003); "The Good Old Days!" (season 5, 2005); and "Chip Off the Old Chip" (season 8, 2011), marking one of his final full roles before the character's appearances diminished due to scheduling conflicts. Kirkpatrick voiced Josh Jason Justin in the animated series (2003–2004). In 2008, Kirkpatrick competed as a contestant on the second season of CMT's reality series Gone Country, which followed celebrities transitioning to under mentorship from . He appeared in all eight episodes, participating in songwriting workshops, performances, and challenges alongside contestants like and , though he did not win the recording contract prize. Kirkpatrick appeared as himself and performed in the holiday TV special A Very Boy Band Holiday (2021). Kirkpatrick joined the cast of the U.S. version of Celebrity Big Brother for its third season in 2022, entering the house on February 2 as one of 11 celebrity housemates. He won Head of Household in week 1, nominating Mirai Nagasu and Chris Kattan for eviction, but was himself unanimously evicted in week 2 on February 11 after being nominated by Miesha Tate during her Head of Household reign. On season 8 of The Masked Singer in 2022, Kirkpatrick performed in disguise as Hummingbird, delivering a cover of "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw in the season premiere. He was eliminated in the battle royale on September 21, 2022 (episode 1), and unmasked in episode 2 on September 28. Kirkpatrick appeared as a guest on the season 22 premiere of Hot Ones on September 21, 2023, reuniting with *NSYNC bandmates Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, and Joey Fatone to eat progressively spicier chicken wings while discussing their career highlights and the Trolls Band Together soundtrack.

Film roles

Kirkpatrick's film career includes a series of cameo and supporting roles, primarily in comedies and genre films, often drawing on his *NSYNC fame for ensemble appearances. His early credits feature uncredited or minor parts in youth-oriented romantic comedies. In the 2001 comedy Longshot, Kirkpatrick appeared as a patron in a pizza restaurant scene, joining fellow * members (as a valet), and (as pizza chefs), and (as a ) in a group cameo that highlighted the band's popularity at the time. Also in 2001, he had an uncredited role as Angelo the Hairdresser in the On the Line, which starred bandmate and focused on a chance subway encounter leading to young love. Later ventures into horror and sci-fi parody included a brief cameo as a pool lifeguard in the 2015 Syfy TV movie Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!, where he appeared amid the film's chaotic shark-infested storm sequence alongside celebrity cameos like and . In 2016, Kirkpatrick took a more prominent supporting role as Mayor Shelby in the post-apocalyptic western TV movie , written and produced by Backstreet Boys member and directed by Danny Roew; the ensemble cast featured other alumni as gunslingers battling in a small town, with Kirkpatrick's character meeting a fatal end early in the plot. His most recent film appearance marked a nostalgic return to *NSYNC collaboration, providing voice work as Trickee—the anthropomorphic representation of himself—in the 2023 animated musical . In a pivotal reunion scene, Kirkpatrick joined , , , and to perform "," voicing his character's segment in the boy band-inspired sequence that celebrated the group's legacy. Kirkpatrick appeared as himself in the documentaries Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam (2024) and Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands (2024).

Tours

NSYNC tours

NSYNC's concert tours were a cornerstone of the band's rise to global stardom, showcasing their high-energy performances, synchronized , and elaborate production values that captivated millions of fans. Beginning with promotional efforts in , the group transitioned to large-scale arena and stadium shows in , setting attendance and revenue records for boy bands in the late and early . These tours not only supported their album releases but also solidified their reputation as one of the era's top live acts, with innovative staging including hydraulic lifts, , and interactive elements that enhanced their pop-R&B sound. The band's initial touring phase focused on in 1997, where they performed as an and headliner for promotional shows supporting their self-titled debut , building a dedicated fanbase through dozens of appearances in and neighboring countries before expanding to the U.S. market. This European leg laid the groundwork for their international breakthrough, emphasizing tight vocal harmonies and routines in smaller venues and appearances. In 1998–1999, launched their first major U.S. headlining , known as (also referred to as the Second II None Tour or Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now Tour), which played arenas and amphitheaters across with opening acts like and . Spanning approximately 18 months and over 200 concerts in more than 100 cities, the marked their in the American market and earned a nomination for Best New Artist Tour at the Concert Industry Awards, while ranking among the top-grossing tours of 1999. The No Strings Attached Tour in 2000 represented a pinnacle of production scale, supporting the group's second album with 76 dates primarily in North American arenas and stadiums, featuring groundbreaking staging such as a massive rotating platform and LED screens. Averaging over $1 million in gross per show, the tour generated more than $75 million in revenue and drew 1.65 million attendees, making it the second highest-grossing tour in North America that year and a cultural phenomenon that redefined boy band live spectacles. In support of their third album Celebrity, NSYNC undertook two major tours. The Tour in summer 2001 was a stadium spectacle with approximately 34 dates across the U.S., featuring openers such as , , and Dream, and grossing $86.8 million to rank second on Pollstar's Top 100 Tours for 2001. This was followed by the from late 2001 to early 2002, consisting of 41 U.S. arena dates with openers including , P. Diddy, and . The arena leg highlighted the band's peak popularity with sold-out crowds and complex set designs, though it was cut short amid internal discussions about the future. In 2023, reunited for promotional appearances tied to the animated film , where they contributed the new track "Better Place" and voiced characters based on their personas. The group made one-off reunion appearances, including presenting at the in September and attending the film's world premiere in November, marking their first collective public outings in over two decades without a full concert tour.

Solo and collaborative tours

Following the hiatus of NSYNC after their 2001–2002 , Chris Kirkpatrick pursued limited solo performances and collaborative endeavors, with no major independent solo tours recorded prior to 2022. His post- live work initially consisted of occasional appearances and television-related events, but he transitioned to more structured touring as a host and performer in nostalgia-driven packages celebrating early . Kirkpatrick launched and hosted the Pop 2000 Tour in 2022, a collaborative concert series featuring platinum-selling acts from the Y2K era, including , , LFO, , and occasional guests like [Tyler Hilton](/page/Tyler Hilton). The tour emphasizes high-energy performances of era-defining hits, such as NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye," alongside Kirkpatrick's solo tracks from his 2006 album This Is It and contributions from his short-lived rock project Nigel's 11. Debuting with shows like the September 17, 2022, performance at Power Plant Live in Baltimore, Maryland—alongside , , and LFO—the tour quickly established itself as a fan-favorite revival event, blending Kirkpatrick's vocal leads with group harmonies and dance routines reminiscent of his roots. The Pop 2000 Tour has run annually since its inception, expanding in scope with each iteration. In 2023, it included stops like the January 28 collaborative event in , with O-Town, , , and LFO, and an April 1 show in , featuring of , O-Town, and LFO. By 2024, the tour encompassed a 26-city U.S. run starting in March, highlighted by performances such as the June 9 show in , , with O-Town and LFO, and a June 27 date in , adding to the lineup. Kirkpatrick has described the experience as a contrast to NSYNC's high-stakes arena tours, noting smaller venues allow for intimate fan interactions while evoking the era's pop energy without the original band's pressures. In 2025, the tour returned for a multi-date trek across the and , beginning in March and scheduled to run through December, with Kirkpatrick as the central host. Key dates included an performance at the Florida Theatre in , where he discussed the tour's appeal in interviews, emphasizing fan requests for reunions amid his solo sets. Additional stops featured multi-act bills, such as the November 8 free concert in , Florida, with , , , and LFO as part of the America-N-Miami event, and festival appearances like the November 22 Rising Tides Festival in . The tour is set to continue with dates including December 18 in , December 19 in , and a show on December 31 in , solidifying its role as Kirkpatrick's primary platform for live performances outside contexts. These outings have allowed him to maintain a steady touring presence, fostering collaborations that highlight his enduring ties to pop music's millennial generation. Kirkpatrick has also participated in the Boy Band Symphony series starting in 2024, collaborating with of and Erik-Michael Estrada of to perform hits accompanied by symphony orchestras in various U.S. cities, including Grand Rapids (March 2024), (April 2025), and Columbus (June 2025).

References

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