Johnny Wright, who managed both groups, has detailed how he actively undermined the Backstreet Boys to bolster ‘NSYNC during their late-90s commercial peak.
Johnny Wright, the veteran manager who worked with both the Backstreet Boys and ‘NSYNC, has confirmed he deliberately stoked the rivalry between the two groups. In a recent interview, he admitted to telling the Backstreet Boys, “I’m going to turn all my guns against you,” after they expressed frustration over ‘NSYNC’s rapid rise.
Wright’s account moves the narrative beyond fan speculation, pointing to a calculated industry strategy. He was managing both acts simultaneously, a situation that created an inherent conflict of interest when they became direct competitors in the pop market.
This admission reframes a defining pop culture battle as a managed, behind-the-scenes operation. It underscores how commercial competition in the teen pop boom of the late 1990s was often orchestrated, with managerial alliances playing a decisive role in shaping public narratives and chart successes.
Join the Club
Like this story? You’ll love our monthly newsletter.
Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter.
Oops. Something went wrong. Please try again later.
ROMBO Editorial Staff
The collective voice behind ROMBO Magazine’s news, reviews, features, and cultural coverage.
