Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Dancing with the Stars: Drew Lachey Predicts He & Joey Fatone Will Be Rivals
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The all-star season of Dancing with the Starsdoesn't start until Sept. 24, but contestant Drew Lachey is wasting no time in sizing up the competition.
"Everyone on the show is very competitive," he tells PEOPLE. "Everyone's laughing and like, 'Oh, haha, this is going to be fun,' but I guarantee once the show starts up, you're going to see everybody's true colors come out."
One of the people the 98 Degrees band mate, 36, sees as a direct rival – on the dance floor, that is – is former 'NSYNC singer Joey Fatone, 35.
"I think there's a bit of a competitive streak between Joey Fatone and myself," Lachey says, jokingly. "We're good friends and we go back a long way. But the smack-talk is already starting with the boy band competition thing."
Other notable threats, he says, are Shawn Johnson, who is "very athletic and very strong," and Gilles Marini, who he believes is the face of the Argentine tango.
Lachey, who calls the whole DWTS experience "almost like a political campaign," doesn't have any tactic to winning except being a "what you see is what you get" kind of guy.
"If they like me on the dance floor and they like who I am, then please vote for me," he says. "If there's someone else they relate to more, then they're going to vote for them. In season 2, we didn't have Facebook. We didn't have Twitter. It was just more of how your dancing was, and how people connected to you as a performer and as a contestant on the show. So I'm going into it with the same kind of mentality."
Partnered with Anna Trebunskaya this time around, as opposed to his mirror ball trophy-winning mate Cheryl Burke, Lachey says, "I think it's going to be a whole lot of fun because I get a whole new bag of tricks, basically. For people who have the same partner, they're going to use the same techniques and do the same style and teaching method."
With another season of Dancing on its way, along with charity work (he and his wife Lea started the Cincinnati-area Lachey Arts Music Theater Camp) and a reunion with his boy band, Lachey's got his hands full. But nothing, he says, compares to that of his brother Nick Lachey, who is expecting his first child with wife Vanessa Lachey in September.
"He may not know it, but he should be more overwhelmed [than I am]," Drew says. "A kid coming is a whole different thing. That trumps everything. Hands down, he's probably got more stress and more on his shoulders than I do, just because of the impending birth. We're both juggling a lot right now. I'm very happy for him."
Chatting with Jeff Timmons About the 98 Degrees Reunion & More!
- Written by Laura Carlson
Back in June, Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey announced that 98 Degrees was in fact reuniting for a performance at the Mixtape Festival in Hershey, PA. Tomorrow (August 17), the foursome from Ohio -- Nick and Drew, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre -- who have sold over 10 million albums, will reunite on stage for the first time on the "Today" show's Summer Series. We caught up with band's founder, Jeff Timmons, on where they've been and what fans can expect!
Everyone is so excited for your "Today" show Summer Series performance on Friday and the Mixtape Festival in PA this week. It's been ten years since you, the Lachey brothers, and Justin Jeffre performed together. How much have you changed since you are clearly more boys to men now than ever?
We are super-excited. I think, if anything, we have grown individually as vocalists and performers, so instead of being a bit rusty, I think we have a bit more flavor.
Everyone has sort of done their own things, some in front of the camera and some behind the scenes... What have you been up to since 98 Degrees split a decade ago?
I'm a big family man, so I've been hanging with my kids. But I've never gotten away from music. I've done some small stuff, under the radar on the solo tip, but mainly been writing and producing records for other artists.
Have you all managed to stay in touch? Obviously you now have families, etc... Has that changed your dynamic as friends and bandmates?
We are all way more mature. I think, in the past, we were so busy that we didn't stop to enjoy the ride. Now that we are older and wiser, we will all savor every moment.
We've seen Nick MC some reality style-talent shows and his brother on "Dancing with the Stars"; Any chance you might take a swing at any reality competition shows in the near future?
I've been asked to do some of them but was usually occupied with other stuff and family but definitely feel I'd be up for it now.
What made you guys decide to ultimately do a reunion? Was it the fans, or did you all find that maybe you guys had time to actually all get together under one roof and do this?
It all worked out timing-wise for everybody. Plus, I think that our fans are really ready for it. Everything is about the right timing and feel.
It all worked out timing-wise for everybody. Plus, I think that our fans are really ready for it. Everything is about the right timing and feel.
So, the fans have asked for you to all give them just one more night, and it looks like their wish may be granted. Are the rumors true that you may be making some new music as well? Will it be different from what 98 Degrees fans are use to?
We are going to test the waters with Mixtape and the "Today" show. We're definitely up to do new music. We'll have the harmony-based stuff of course, but we want to do some contemporary, uptempo stuff as well.
People have amazing memories of '90s music, and it looks like a lot of groups are getting back together, like No Doubt and the Backstreet Boys. What do you think makes this era so special?
It was just a great era in pop music. You always have your grunge, rock, and hip-hop cycles, but pop is for everybody. We're just happy to have contributed to such a great time in music history.
A few minutes with Jeff Timmons from 98 Degrees
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As Bieber/One Direction fever rages here in Australia faster and more virulent than the zombie apocalypse in the Walking Dead, I can’t judge, I think its cute and hey I did it about 10 years ago. Typing that was hard. Posting that was hard, it is truly showing my age – despite me still loving music that my 17 year old self would have loved. 10 years ago – it was 98 Degrees for me. (And Westlife, but that’s another post)
I love a good ballad. I love a bad ballad. I love matching outfits, and cheesy dance moves, and the puppy dog eyes in those sad songs (Justin Timberlake in early NSync days, I’m looking at you). And I haven’t really grown out of it! When I heard that 98 Degrees would be reuniting for one show only (this time tomorrow!), I was so happy! But sad all at the same time because it is nowhere that I can get to by pushbike, taxicab, or, well anything that wouldn’t take more than half a day. When I kindly asked Jeff Timmons if I could pose a few questions his way on Twitter; did you really think I’d get a yes?! Let alone a DM saying, sure!? Uh. No! Really?! Oh! Wow!
Just for kicks, and for your amusement – here is me, meeting Jeff and Drew Lachey way back when.. *tee hee*
What do you remember most during those days at the peak of 98 Degrees’ success? Just how busy it was. We didn’t have time to catch a breath!
How much do you keep in touch with the guys in general? Not as much as we’d have liked to. We all just got so busy on our own both personally and professionally. We certainly care about each other like brothers.
Tell me about your Wired show in Las Vegas; entice me to visit! (I don’t need much swaying!) It’s just full of energy. We give a live feel to a club atmosphere. We sing Hip-Hop and R&B hits from a number of eras, while incorporating all of the hits of today.
What are you listening to on your ipod and singing at the top of your lungs? Most of Chris Brown’s new stuff.
What is family life like? Domestic hubby? I’m a big-time family guy. My wife and I have 5 kids between the two of us. It’s like the Brady Bunch over here.
Any TV shows that you’re hooked on? I’m a big sports guy, so mostly sports. I like Family Guy like there’s no tomorrow. Seth MacFarlane is a genius.
I’m so grateful and teenage-girl excited that Jeff answered a few questions on my humble lil blog; I wish I could be at the reunion (SO. BAD!).
Boy band 98 Degrees have still got it
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Despite having become a man band, the boys performed to screaming fans on the Today show
It seemed a lot hotter than 98 Degrees in New York on Friday morning as the onetime boy band raised the temperature with a Today show performance that had ’em screaming like they did back in the day.
Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre worked those moves at the mike for the first time in a decade in front of a few hundred fans, with many of the women in attendance mouthing the words along with the band.
“I called you a boy band,” said Today cohost Savannah Guthrie. “I guess after 10 years, you’ve graduated to man band?”
“I think we have graduated,” saidLachey .
“Finally!” said Drew.
“Thank God!” blurted Timmons.
Drew went into a little more detail about what it was like working through the dance routines with a 10-years-older body, running down a litany of all the places he’d had pains during rehearsals.
“It used to be steak and lobster, but now it’s Metamucil and prune juice.”
The 36-year-old may have been exaggerating a bit. But he might be wise to get used to it.
“We view this opportunity as a chance to kind of test it out and see if it was still fun, and I think we’re all very happy to say we’re having a great time.” Nick said between songs. “I think you can expect more from us down the line.”
Maybe he just likes the fancy-schmancy routine? “the glamourous life of a singer, up at 4.30am trying to warm up my voice for #98degrees appearance on @todayshow,” the dad-to-be tweeted early on Friday. “psyched to perform today!!”
The band next performs in concert on Saturday at the MixTape Fest in Pennsylvania.
Drew Lachey Returns To The Spotlight With 'Dancing' All-Stars And 98 Degrees Reunion
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By ALICIA RANCILIO
NEW YORK — Drew Lachey is not taking it easy before he reunites with boy band 98 Degrees and appears on "Dancing with the Stars."
Ahead of his 98 Degrees performances Friday on NBC's "Today" show and Saturday at the Mixtape Festival in Hershey, Pa., he's busy teaching at a Cincinnati-area performing arts day camp that he opened with his wife, Lea.
"My wife and I were both so influenced by the arts growing up that we wanted to be able to pass on our knowledge and experience as professional performers to the next generation," Lachey said in a recent interview.
The Lachey Arts Music Theater Camp is a two-week day camp that runs through Friday. There are 38 kids and Lachey says approximately 28 of them attend on a full scholarship, learning dance, drama and singing.
After 98 Degrees performs, 36-year-old Lachey says he has about 10 days off before beginning rehearsals for "Dancing with the Stars All-Stars" which premieres September 24 on ABC. He won the show's second season and wants to show he still has what it takes to be a champion.
"It's a great opportunity to show that season two, yes, was early on in the show but us champions and early winners can still compete with these new people. They're talking about how intense the show is now and how much harder it's gotten and there might be some truth to that, but I kind of take that as a personal challenge for me to come out and represent and do well," he said.
This time around Lachey will be paired with Ana Trebunskaya. His former partner Cheryl Burke will dance with Emmitt Smith.
Lachey described not working with Burke as "bittersweet."
"There's history there and we know how to work together and how to dance together but there's also excitement to do something new. A new partner, a new dynamic, a new style, new choreography, new techniques," he said.
Once "Dancing with the Stars" wraps up the season, he's hoping 98 Degrees can record new music.
"I would just love to be out on tour again and perform in front of crowds every night," said Lachey.
98 DEGREES REUNITE ON ‘THE TODAY SHOW’
Before One Direction, The Wanted and Big Time Rush, one of the hottest boy bands in the music scene was none other than 98 Degrees.
Making their reunion official on August 17 with a special performance on ‘TODAY’, the boy group consisting of Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons treated fans to live renditions of ‘The Hardest Thing’, ‘Because of You’, ‘I Do’ and ‘Invisible Man.’ The concert, marked the group’s first television appearance in over 10 years.
“In the 10 years since our last performance as 98 Degrees we’ve each achieved personal success and grown as individuals, while remaining a close-knit family,” the band said in a press release in July. “We have also been fortunate to have the support and enduring love of our fans every step of the way. With so much to celebrate, this reunion is going to be one big party, so whether you tune in to the ‘Today Show’ or join us at the MixTape Festival, everyone’s invited.”
EEEEEE! How exciting is this? As a 90s child, a 98 Degrees reunion will certainly bring back some nostalgic feelings. Now if only N Sync would get back together…that would just be the cherry on top.
Watch them perform below!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
VIDEO: Nick Lachey In-Studio
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98 Degrees is back & Nick Lachey stopped by to chat with Mo'Bounce!
98 Degrees is back after an 11-year hiatus & Nick Lachey stopped by the Z100 studios to chat with Mo'Bounce about the band being back together.
Find out what Nick said about what to expect from their Today Show Summer Concert Series show & the MixTape Festival, the possibility of new music, being on Stars Earn Stripes, possibly being the permanent co-host on Live! with Kelly & so much more!
'Dancing With The Stars: All-Stars': Drew Lachey sizes up his competition
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George Pennacchio
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- In 2006, Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke gave us one of "Dancing With The Stars" most memorable freestyle routines, a dance that put them over the top to win Season 2's mirror ball trophy.
For the upcoming all-star season, he'll be Tangoing with new partner Anna Trebunskaya instead of Burke. Six of the show's champs will be participating, making this the toughest season yet.
So just who is Lachey's biggest threat?
"I think everybody brings different elements," Lachey said. "You've got Shawn Johnson who is going to be able to tumble and flip her way to anywhere, Gilles (Marini) is this very good-looking guy who encompasses when you think of like the Tango, Emmitt (Smith) who is just this character you just love and is very engaging and charming. Joey Fatone is fun and energetic, just loves life and his this personality that you just want to root for him. Everybody brings different elements to the show."
Lachey said he already feels pain just thinking of dancing.
"My brain, my pride, my ulcer - everything hurts already," he said. "You know it's going to be physically grueling, you know it's going to be a challenge performing a new dance live every week, but you're not able to comprehend the schedule, the pace, how much it's going to consume your life, until you are wrapped up in the hurricane of 'Dancing With The Stars.' But that being said, we all know what we're getting into and we're all back for more."
The new season premieres at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24 on ABC7.
Nick Lachey 'So Ready' To Be A Dad
'It's about time,' boy bander tells MTV News about his son, due in September.
By Jocelyn Vena (@jocelyn1212)
with reporting by Christina Garibaldi (@ChristinaMTV)
With only weeks left before Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo welcome their son into the world this September, the 98 Degrees singer said he's really ready to be a first-time dad.
"I'm very excited. She's great. You know, it's starting to get a little uncomfortable now. It's the dead of summer. It's hot. She's very pregnant," he told MTV News at the Mixtape Festival last weekend, where 98 Degrees reunited after a decade apart. Lachey wasn't only ready to hit the stage again with his fellow boy banders, but he also couldn't wait for the arrival of his baby boy.
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"So ready, I think, as we both are for him to come out and meet the little guy," he added. "It's about time."
Lachey made the announcement that he and his former MTV VJ wife are expecting their first child when he sat down to co-host "Live! With Kelly" back in March. And, now, with the birth so near, his brother Drew is willing to share some parenting secrets with him.
"My advice for parenting [is] don't take other people's advice because each kid's different, each situation is different, each parent is different," the father of two said. "So just hold the baby as much as you can, love the baby and everything else will work itself out from there."
And judging his bandmates' experience as fathers, Nick will surely take their advice.
"They're great dads, very loving dads," Nick added about Drew and bandmate Jeff Timmons. (Justin Jeffre is the only guy in the group who will have no kids.) "So they set good examples for Justin and I."
Back in March, Lachey shared what name he'd like to give his son when he sat down beside Kelly Ripa on her talk show. "If it's a boy, we're not really sure yet," he said of the names the couple had been tossing around. "[I used to think] if I have a son first, he's going to be named Colin. Now Colin, it's not a good name [to Vanessa]. It's a tough thing, these names."
DWTS 15 All-Stars: The Great “Previous Dance Experience” Debate – Drew Lachey Edition
Thanks to my Friend Courtney @ Pure Dancing with the Stars For this FUN article!! =)
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Written by: Courtney
So far, we’ve taken a look at both Kelly Monaco & Emmitt Smith’s original seasons on DWTS. Today, we backtrack a bit to take a look at Drew’s original season 
For Drew’s best dance, I waffled back & forth between he & Cheryl’s tango & paso doble…but I ultimately picked their famous “Thriller” paso doble, as I think it best shows off how Drew was the total package of skill & showmanship:
And while I noticed that Drew & Cheryl didn’t really have any truly terrible dances in their original season, per se, I ended up picking their week 1 cha-cha as their worst dance, because Drew looks a bit awkward and unsure of what to do with his hands:
Ohhh, how I DON’T miss the days before the show began broadcasting in HD 
Once again, I’m struck by the same thing I see when watching Emmitt & Kelly’s dances: the quality of dancing on the show has improved drastically since the first few seasons. Even though I think Drew was much better than Kelly & Emmitt from a technical perspective, I still think he’s going to be hard-pressed to match up with the skill of Joey or Gilles (two guys who didn’t even win their respective seasons), right out of the gate. I also think the choreography back then wasn’t as good as it is now – and that could prove problematic for all 3 of the early winners (Kelly, Drew, & Emmitt), as the pros have all stepped their game up quite a bit since those seasons. It could be a bit jarring for them to go from easily handling the choreography on their own seasons, to having to fight tooth and nail to just get a decent score each week of the all-star season, with the bar being raised so much. On the plus side, Drew seems to have a good deal of “attack” to his dancing – he isn’t hesitant or wishy-washy, and goes for everything 100%. Seems very confident out on the floor, and doesn’t seem to have any glaring timing issues. But man – I had forgotten how short Drew is. He moves “big” for his size, and does seem to extend his limbs impressively far, given his stature – but I’m picturing him next to the very willowy Gilles, who had quite possibly the most fantastic extension in his arms & legs of any guy I’ve ever seen on the show (except maybe Roshon, but I swear that boy was made of rubber!)…and I’m just imagining that poor Drew is just not going to measure up, no matter how far he stretches. Not his fault – but it’s unfortunately the hand he was dealt by nature. Part of me thinks he may have been physically better matched with Chelsie, since she would have given him an extra 2″ of leeway, but I do think he may actually have an advantage with Anna – these two seem to have really hit the ground running with “getting themselves out there” since the announcement of the cast. They are tweeting up a storm, have set up an official Facebook page which they are updating frequently with videos and pictures, and just seem to have forged a really great partnership – I seriously can’t stop smiling when I see these two!
Once again, I’m struck by the same thing I see when watching Emmitt & Kelly’s dances: the quality of dancing on the show has improved drastically since the first few seasons. Even though I think Drew was much better than Kelly & Emmitt from a technical perspective, I still think he’s going to be hard-pressed to match up with the skill of Joey or Gilles (two guys who didn’t even win their respective seasons), right out of the gate. I also think the choreography back then wasn’t as good as it is now – and that could prove problematic for all 3 of the early winners (Kelly, Drew, & Emmitt), as the pros have all stepped their game up quite a bit since those seasons. It could be a bit jarring for them to go from easily handling the choreography on their own seasons, to having to fight tooth and nail to just get a decent score each week of the all-star season, with the bar being raised so much. On the plus side, Drew seems to have a good deal of “attack” to his dancing – he isn’t hesitant or wishy-washy, and goes for everything 100%. Seems very confident out on the floor, and doesn’t seem to have any glaring timing issues. But man – I had forgotten how short Drew is. He moves “big” for his size, and does seem to extend his limbs impressively far, given his stature – but I’m picturing him next to the very willowy Gilles, who had quite possibly the most fantastic extension in his arms & legs of any guy I’ve ever seen on the show (except maybe Roshon, but I swear that boy was made of rubber!)…and I’m just imagining that poor Drew is just not going to measure up, no matter how far he stretches. Not his fault – but it’s unfortunately the hand he was dealt by nature. Part of me thinks he may have been physically better matched with Chelsie, since she would have given him an extra 2″ of leeway, but I do think he may actually have an advantage with Anna – these two seem to have really hit the ground running with “getting themselves out there” since the announcement of the cast. They are tweeting up a storm, have set up an official Facebook page which they are updating frequently with videos and pictures, and just seem to have forged a really great partnership – I seriously can’t stop smiling when I see these two!
So what, if anything, has Drew done since season 2 to keep his dance skills sharp? Well, he has been practicing for the 98 Degrees reunion tour, and they actually performed on the Today show yesterday:
Ok – admittedly, 98 Degrees was the boy band of the 1990′s that did the least amount of dancing…and the little they did do was pretty basic “work the mic, jazz square here, hand gesture there”-type stuff. But Drew actually seems to be taking this choreography, no matter how cheesy it looks, pretty seriously – he’s snapping his head nicely, making good eye contact, and staying on time. And as crazy as that sounds – I think that may actually be an unexpected advantage he has this season. I know everyone seems eager to point out that Joey being onstage in the Vegas show is huge advantage this season, and it is – but I would argue that really ANY contestant that has been onstage in some song & dance capactity within the last year or so has probably got an advantage. Gotta keep those performing skills sharp!
Court’s verdict: Drew is obviously going to have to step up his game quite a bit in order to compete with more recent contestants like Gilles – but he could be a bit of a dark horse this season, given his work ethic and the chemistry he has forged with Anna. He is probably the most skilled of the “early” champions, and if he’s willing to put in the effort (and Anna can give him some good choreography), he could give some of the favorites this season (Gilles, Joey, Shawn, etc.) a good run for their money. One to watch, for sure!
So what do you guys think of Drew? Possible dark horse…or a possible dud?
UPDATE: Thanks to @BeerBabeSuzi (an NKOTB friend of mine who also runs a fantastic 98 Degrees fan site that’s been around for 10 years!), here’s some video of 98 Degrees performing at the Mixtape Festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania over the weekend – and it looks like Drew has been practicing his Latin hips 
The song is “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” and it starts at about the 2:50 mark. Check out Drew on the right, getting pretty into his dance moves
The song is “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” and it starts at about the 2:50 mark. Check out Drew on the right, getting pretty into his dance moves Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Dancing with the Stars: Drew Lachey Predicts He & Joey Fatone Will Be Rivals
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The all-star season of Dancing with the Starsdoesn't start until Sept. 24, but contestant Drew Lachey is wasting no time in sizing up the competition.
"Everyone on the show is very competitive," he tells PEOPLE. "Everyone's laughing and like, 'Oh, haha, this is going to be fun,' but I guarantee once the show starts up, you're going to see everybody's true colors come out."
One of the people the 98 Degrees band mate, 36, sees as a direct rival – on the dance floor, that is – is former 'NSYNC singer Joey Fatone, 35.
"I think there's a bit of a competitive streak between Joey Fatone and myself," Lachey says, jokingly. "We're good friends and we go back a long way. But the smack-talk is already starting with the boy band competition thing."
Other notable threats, he says, are Shawn Johnson, who is "very athletic and very strong," and Gilles Marini, who he believes is the face of the Argentine tango.
Lachey, who calls the whole DWTS experience "almost like a political campaign," doesn't have any tactic to winning except being a "what you see is what you get" kind of guy.
"If they like me on the dance floor and they like who I am, then please vote for me," he says. "If there's someone else they relate to more, then they're going to vote for them. In season 2, we didn't have Facebook. We didn't have Twitter. It was just more of how your dancing was, and how people connected to you as a performer and as a contestant on the show. So I'm going into it with the same kind of mentality."
Partnered with Anna Trebunskaya this time around, as opposed to his mirror ball trophy-winning mate Cheryl Burke, Lachey says, "I think it's going to be a whole lot of fun because I get a whole new bag of tricks, basically. For people who have the same partner, they're going to use the same techniques and do the same style and teaching method."
With another season of Dancing on its way, along with charity work (he and his wife Lea started the Cincinnati-area Lachey Arts Music Theater Camp) and a reunion with his boy band, Lachey's got his hands full. But nothing, he says, compares to that of his brother Nick Lachey, who is expecting his first child with wife Vanessa Lachey in September.
"He may not know it, but he should be more overwhelmed [than I am]," Drew says. "A kid coming is a whole different thing. That trumps everything. Hands down, he's probably got more stress and more on his shoulders than I do, just because of the impending birth. We're both juggling a lot right now. I'm very happy for him."
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