*NSYNC Reunite at 2023 VMAs

NSYNC reunited at the 2023 VMAs to announce the winner of best pop.

Nicki Minaj introduced the band, which consists of Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass and Joey Fatone, during the MTV Video Music Awards Tuesday evening, calling their reunion an “iconic moment.” As they took the stage, they left the audience and other celebrities like Taylor Swift in utter shock.

“Over 20 years ago, we were just kids when we won best pop video for ‘Bye Bye Bye,’” they said. “It was our first VMA and it meant the world to us. That award validated our hard work.”

They continued, “A lot has changed in the past two decades but one thing remains constant, a creative boundary-pushing video leaves a lasting mark for decades. Now we just wanted to say, thank you, MTV and especially all of you guys.”

NSYNC proceeded to give out the first prize of the night for best pop, which was awarded to Taylor Swift for “Anti-Hero.” Other nominees for the award were Demi Lovato for “Swine,” Dua Lipa for “Dance The Night (From Barbie The Album),” Ed Sheeran for “Eyes Closed,” Miley Cyrus for “Flowers,” Olivia Rodrigo for “Vampire” and Pink for “TRUSTFALL.”

As Swift approached them on stage, she still couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “I’m not doing well pivoting from this [NSYNC reunion], to this [winning best pop],” the singer said. “Like I had your dolls. … Like are you doing something? What’s going to happen now? They’re going to do something and I need to know what it is. You guys are pop personified so to receive this from your golden pop hands is really too much.”

NSYNC dominated the music industry in the late ’90s and early 2000s with their hits like “Bye Bye Bye,” “It’s Gonna Be Me” and more. They also scored one No. 1 song and six Top 10 Hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The 2023 VMAs aired live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday. Check out the complete winners list here.