Overview
- In a new TMZ interview on December 27, AJ McLean said he doubts Backstreet Boys would be where they are today had they signed with Shaquille O’Neal.
- Both Backstreet Boys and NSYNC recorded early demos at O’Neal’s Orlando home studio in the 1990s, reportedly paying $25 an hour.
- O’Neal has described not signing the boy bands as one of his biggest music-business mistakes, citing it in appearances on Hot Ones and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
- NSYNC’s Lance Bass has credited Shaq’s home studio with enabling the group’s first demos and has said he wished O’Neal had been part of their team.
- McLean recalled seeing O’Neal’s red-painted toenails at the studio and said the moment helped him feel comfortable painting his own nails.