*NSYNC on Hiatus
(7/31/02)

Lance is going to space; Joey will be performing on Broadway; Justin is recording his first solo album; JC is helping out with other artists' discs.

"We're taking a little hiatus for the rest of the year and just focusing on writing the next album and I guess getting inspiration for the next album," Lance told us about the group's plans following their Celebrity tour. "So we're going to take a little time to chill."

This is what *NSYNC calls their vacation?

"It gives the group another dimension," JC said. "I mean, regardless of whatever side projects are going to take place, the band is always going to be the band. And I think if somebody steps out, it just brings more attention to the band. It sheds a new light on it and gives people something different to look at."

Take a look at what *NSYNC's superstars are working on.

Follow up:

Lance has secured the help of a reality TV producer in his quest to land a spot on the Soyuz rocket to Russia's International Space Station.

In preparation, he underwent heart surgery and will be sent through rigorous testing that challenges his ability to survive an emergency splashdown in the Black Sea as well as fend for himself alone in a forest.

"We'll see what happens," band mate Joey told MTV News. "People are always going, 'Oh, he's just going to go up in space and mess around' and stuff. But he actually wants to do a lot of different experiments as well as stand around going, 'Look, I'm in space,' so that's pretty good."

The journey would take place this fall.

If Lance is chosen, he will be the youngest person ever to blast off into space. He will also be the first pop star to accomplish the mission.

Acting
Joey won't be leaving this earth to accomplish his feat.

He'll be moving to the Broadway stage to star as Mark, the narrator and videographer in "Rent." His turn starts Aug. 5 and runs through Dec. 22.

This may be the first time Joey has starred in a Broadway play, but it's not the first time he has acted. He has also starred in "On the Line" (with Lance), "Longshot" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."

If you happen to be in the New York area, the play takes place at Nederlander Theater, near Britney Spears' Nyla restaurant.

Going Solo
Like Backstreet Boy Nick Carter and 98 Degrees' Nick Lachey, Justin is taking time out to record his solo debut album. Artists rumored to be working on the disc include P. Diddy.

JC and Chris are laying low during their downtime, but no doubt they're keeping busy with their private passions. JC is probably working on new music for *NSYNC and other acts while Chris is likely devoting time to his Fu Man Skeeto fashion line, which entered the big leagues recently.