Instagram/@aj_mclean
For years, the war between NSYNC and Backstreet Boys went on, but finally ended only through the pleasure of a cake. An NSYNC man and a Backstreet Boys man faced each other in a “Boyband Bakeoff,” whereby they decorated sheets of cake featuring utterly opposite representations of one of their iconic boybands. This little friendly rivalry was part of a collaboration with Food Club to aid the Feeding America initiative in providing meals to families.
Advertisement
The “bake-off” battle video captured it all-the stars were quite committed to the challenge, but the comedic struggles followed. Lance Bass was trying to recreate the Wear Backstreet Boys’ “No Strings Attached” era album cover while AJ McLean had something NSYNC in mind. The pressure was on, visibly, because Lance nervously whispered, “Don’t screw it up, dude,” at the beginning of the challenge.
The standard baking disasters accompanied their decorating for the 30 minutes. Lance struggled with spelling and forgot the G in “No Strings.” AJ was having technical difficulties with frosting consistency: “Mine came out so thick,” he said about his piping bag. “Because you have to have a little thin one,” Lance said. One had to feel the camaraderie between these two boy band vets even while they competed.
Another possibly best moment was when Lance was working on Nick Carter’s face and said to the camera, “Oh, sorry Nick. I am so sorry.” Viewers did not miss that, with one commenter calling that hilarious.
However, the competition was not just for bragging rights between two of the biggest groups ever to hit the pop stage. Lance explained in the video that Food Club is working with Feeding America to provide five million meals in 2025 to families across the United States. This charity aspect gives the challenge more meaning than what would have just been another celebrity social media challenge.
Once decorating was over, the boys presented their finished cakes. Lance’s Backstreet Boys faces were painstakingly detailed from the album cover, while AJ said his NSYNC cake was “not really a Backstreet, but not bad for a boring album cover.” The banter never ceased as they passed it off to the crowd to decide.
The comment section soon became a battlefield for each group’s loyal fans, with many recognizing the impossibility of choosing between the two. “My heart is split evenly,” said one user, accompanied by heart-hand emojis. That sentiment was echoed in the comments, demonstrating how just as fiercely opposed to one another are both bands, even decades removed from their peak.
Others were more decisive in voting. “I’m a BSB gurlie forever but Lance his cake was better,” one fan wrote, proving that one can be fair when choosing sides while not giving blind support on baking issues. Another states, “Always team BSB but Lance got this one in the bag with the details in the faces and attention to detail,” showing that even the fiercest BSB supporters have been swayed by Lance’s works.
The friendly competition’s goodwill continues to permeate many who refuse to take sides. One said, “Both are good now let’s enjoy the cake!” while another declared, “TeamBoth,” attesting that both cakes looked delicious. The refusal to take either side is an expression of a large number of fans of how much they’ve enjoyed watching these two pop icons just having fun together for a worthy cause.
Another comment that truly summed up the opening fans’ sentiments wrote: “Equal fan, its a tie! Love both bands since the beginning, and still partying with your songs!” This response ties the situation of the two bands with how their music still continues to bring joy to audiences post their peak commercial years.
The baking showdown serves as excellent marketing for the rising tide of nostalgic content devoted to the 90s and early 2000s pop groups, giving fans a chance to reconnect with their growing-up and nurturing artists while also supporting charity. Lance Bass and family have stayed in show business since then and maintain friendly social media presence with content such as this bake-off.
Advertisement
In the end, the families who end up with a meal through the alliance of Food Club and Feeding America are indeed the most excellent winners in Boyband Bakeoff. As one commenter so good-naturedly put the dilemma when having to choose between cakes, “I would have both cakes and eat them but… Lance for the win! Great job tho.” A perfect combination of throwback, friendly competition, and charities was bound to result in the highly engaging content that went to a worthy cause. Lance Bass recently stunned his followers with a startling time revelation. He also confessed his struggle with the Gen Z heart emoji. Danielle Fishel and Lance Bass reunited for emotional support on Dancing with the Stars. Alexander James celebrated an epic Vegas weekend with Post Malone and fans.
