Chris Kirkpatrick’s Net Worth, Biography & Stats. Net Worth: Est. 10 Million $
Chris Kirkpatrick is a prominent figure in the pop music industry. As an American singer, actor, music producer, and dancer, he is best known as a founding member and lead vocalist of the boy band *NSYNC.
Chris Kirkpatrick illustrated biography
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Introduction
Christopher Alan Kirkpatrick, born October 17, 1971, is a multifaceted American entertainer known for his roles as a singer, songwriter, dancer, music producer, podcaster, and actor. He gained fame as a founding member of the pop group *NSYNC, where he contributed as a countertenor. The band achieved remarkable success, selling over 70 million records and becoming one of the best-selling boy bands in history. Kirkpatrick was featured prominently on tracks such as “Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy),” “Together Again,” “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” “I Thought She Knew,” “Just Got Paid,” and various songs from their holiday album, Home for Christmas.
In addition to his music career, Kirkpatrick has made notable appearances on television. He voiced Chip Skylark on the Nickelodeon animated series The Fairly OddParents. He has also participated in several reality TV shows, including Celebrity Big Brother, The Masked Singer, and Gone Country.
Early Life and Career
Christopher Kirkpatrick was born on October 17, 1971, in Clarion, Pennsylvania, to his young single mother, Beverly Eustice, who was just 16 years old at the time. Raised in a challenging environment, Kirkpatrick and his mother lived in poverty, often struggling with homelessness and financial instability. The family moved frequently, residing in several states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, South Carolina, and California. At times, they lived in a trailer with significant hardships, such as lacking electricity and dealing with extreme cold. To stay warm, Kirkpatrick slept on piles of dirty laundry due to the family’s inability to wash their clothes regularly. Food scarcity was also a significant issue, with Kirkpatrick and his family relying on food stamps, free school lunches, and donations to make ends meet. To contribute to the household finances, Kirkpatrick began working on a farm while still in school. His academic performance was affected by both his family’s financial difficulties and his ADHD.
Despite these hardships, Kirkpatrick's family had a strong musical background—his mother was a vocal coach, his grandmother trained in opera, and his grandfather was a country-western singer. Demonstrating a natural talent for music, Kirkpatrick won the lead role as Oliver Twist in a school production of Oliver! in sixth grade. This experience ignited his passion for music, leading him to study it more intensively. He participated in various musical activities, including school choirs and theatrical performances, and became involved in sports as well.
After graduating from high school in 1990, Kirkpatrick moved to Orlando, Florida, to reconnect with his biological father, who offered financial support for college. Initially intending to pursue acting, Kirkpatrick switched his focus to music after receiving scholarships for his work in Valencia College’s choir. During this time, he formed a cappella groups, performed at local venues, and worked as a caroler and doo-wop singer at Universal Studios. He earned an associate degree in music in 1993.
Kirkpatrick continued his education at Rollins College, where he studied music and psychology. He supported himself by performing with The Hollywood Hi-Tones, working as a photographer at Sea World, waiting tables, and DJing locally.
In 1994, while working at Universal Studios and performing with The Hollywood Hi-Tones, a doo-wop group, Chris Kirkpatrick was introduced to Lou Pearlman by mutual friend Charlie Edwards, whom he had met through choir. Edwards, who had briefly been involved with the Backstreet Boys before leaving, informed Kirkpatrick that Pearlman was looking to finance a new vocal group, which led to Kirkpatrick's interest.
Initially, Kirkpatrick was unaware of the Backstreet Boys' auditions and thus did not participate. However, after learning about Pearlman's work with the Backstreet Boys and meeting Howie Dorough, Kirkpatrick became eager to explore more opportunities in music. When Pearlman saw Kirkpatrick perform with his doo-wop group, he was impressed and proposed the idea of forming a new vocal group, promising financial support if Kirkpatrick could recruit other singers.
Kirkpatrick took up the challenge and spent over a year searching for suitable members. He eventually recruited Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez from the 1990s revival of the Mickey Mouse Club, forming the core of NSYNC. Later, he added Joey Fatone, a fellow Universal Studios employee, and after some difficulty finding a bass singer, Lance Bass was introduced through Timberlake's vocal coach. By September 1995, the group was complete.
The members of NSYNC lived together and rehearsed intensively in a warehouse in Orlando, refining their singing and choreography. They recorded their first demo at Pleasure Island in Orlando and, soon after, Kirkpatrick left Rollins College to focus on NSYNC's music career in Germany.
NSYNC
With NSYNC, Kirkpatrick achieved significant commercial success, with the group selling over seventy million records in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He performed as a countertenor/soprano and contributed to several hit songs including “Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)”, “Together Again”, and “I Thought She Knew”.
NSYNC's self-titled debut album, released in Europe in 1997 and internationally in 1998, sold eleven million copies and included popular singles such as “I Want You Back” and “Tearin' Up My Heart”. Their holiday album, Home for Christmas (1998), peaked at number 7 and sold 2 million copies, featuring the hit “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays”.
Their second album, No Strings Attached (2000), broke records with 2.4 million copies sold in its first week and over 9.9 million copies by the end of the year, making it the best-selling album of the year. It included hits like “Bye Bye Bye” and “It's Gonna Be Me”.
In 2001, NSYNC released Celebrity, which sold 1.88 million copies in its first week, becoming the second-fastest-selling album in SoundScan history at the time. The album produced popular tracks such as “Pop” and “Gone”. The group’s involvement in writing and producing their own songs was notably increased, with Kirkpatrick credited for writing “Falling”.
Following their Celebrity Tour, NSYNC announced a hiatus in April 2002. While they never officially disbanded, the group did not reunite for many years. Their final official performance was at the 2003 Grammys, but they reunited briefly for a performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.
In 2018, NSYNC reunited for a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. They also performed at Coachella in 2019 and released a new song, “Better Place”, in September 2023, part of the soundtrack for Trolls Band Together. They made cameos in the film and participated in various media appearances.
Solo Music and Other Ventures
After NSYNC's hiatus, Kirkpatrick worked on various musical projects, including leading the alternative rock band Nigel's 11, which he formed in 2007. The band released their debut album, Clandestine Operation, in 2010, featuring themes of personal struggles and self-identity.
Kirkpatrick also ventured into voice acting, portraying Chip Skylark on The Fairly OddParents and participated in reality TV shows like Mission Man Band and Gone Country. He appeared on A Very Boy Band Holiday in 2021 and competed on Celebrity Big Brother and The Masked Singer in 2022.
In addition to his music career, Kirkpatrick founded a clothing line, FuMan Skeeto, and a non-profit organization, the Chris Kirkpatrick Foundation, dedicated to supporting underprivileged children in central Florida. He has continued to work with various artists, manage events, and maintain a presence in the music industry.
Rise to fame and major achievements
Chris Kirkpatrick, the oldest member of *NSYNC and the catalyst for the group's formation, brought a youthful energy to the band despite his age. Known for his enthusiasm, Kirkpatrick was never seen as the most mature member of the group.
Inspired to create a vocal ensemble that combined both singing and dancing, Kirkpatrick recruited Joey Fatone, a performer from Universal Studios with a background in singing and dancing, as well as J.C. Chasez and Justin Timberlake, both former stars of the 1990s Disney Channel series “The Mickey Mouse Club.” The group's lineup was completed with the addition of Lance Bass, whose deep bass voice perfectly complemented their harmonies.
Under the guidance of renowned talent manager Lou Pearlman, the group initially gained popularity in Europe. They made their U.S. debut in 1998 with their self-titled album, which featured hits like “I Want You Back” and “God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You,” alongside renditions of classic rock songs. The band's energetic performances and engaging music videos generated significant interest and solid sales for their subsequent holiday album.
However, the group faced internal management issues and a prolonged legal battle over an early contract, which delayed their third album and dampened their momentum.
Once they signed with Jive Records and resolved their earlier contractual issues, *NSYNC released “No Strings Attached” in March 2000. The album achieved a record-breaking 2.4 million units sold in its first week, surpassing the previous record held by the Backstreet Boys. The album’s singles, including “Bye Bye Bye,” “It's Gonna Be Me,” and “This I Promise You,” kept it prominent on the charts until the release of their next album, “Celebrity,” in 2001.
The album “Celebrity” marked a shift in the group’s image and musical style, featuring a more edgy sound and reflective lyrics in its lead single, “Pop.” While *NSYNC maintained their appeal with their fanbase and impressive stage performances, they also began to explore ambitious projects beyond the music industry.
In addition to his music career, Kirkpatrick ventured into fashion with his clothing line, FuMan Skeeto, which focused on casual and trendy apparel. Unlike his bandmate Lance Bass, who used his fame to launch music careers for emerging artists, Kirkpatrick concentrated on supporting behind-the-scenes talent, such as music producers and graphic designers.
Kirkpatrick's television appearances, including on “Mad TV” and “Politically Incorrect,” showcased his sense of humor and ability to engage in thoughtful discussions on current events. He also addressed controversies, such as Eminem's lyrical attacks, with his characteristic openness.
In addition to his television work, Kirkpatrick made guest appearances in series like “Clueless” and “Touched By an Angel,” and debuted in the concert film “*NSYNC: Bigger Than Live” (2001). He also took on a role in the yet-to-be-released romance “Jack of All Trades,” produced by former manager Lou Pearlman.
Net worth
Chris Kirkpatrick’s net worth is estimated to be around $13 million. His wealth comes from his successful career as a musician with *NSYNC, his ventures into fashion, and various other entertainment endeavors.
Personal life
Kirkpatrick has managed to keep a low profile regarding his personal life, focusing more on his career and family.
Relationships
Chris Kirkpatrick maintained a private personal life until 2010, when he began dating Karlyn M. Skladany. He proposed to her in Capri, Italy, in October 2012, and they were married on November 2, 2013, at the Loews Resort Hotel in Orlando, Florida, with his former *NSYNC bandmates serving as ushers. The couple announced their expecting child in March 2017, and their son was born on October 10, 2017.
In 2018, Kirkpatrick sold his estate in Orlando, Florida, and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where he now lives with his family.
Controversies
Following Eminem's arrest in 2000, Chris Kirkpatrick commented, “His arrest is karma. It's really sad when people have to put everybody else down to make themselves look good. The guy's digging himself a grave, and soon he's not gonna have any friends.” This led to Kirkpatrick being mentioned in Eminem's 2002 hit song “Without Me.” Eminem revealed on MTV's Total Request Live that he included Kirkpatrick in the song because he was one of the few boy band members who responded to Eminem's earlier criticisms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chris Kirkpatrick's impact on the late 90s and early 2000s music scene remains significant, particularly through his contributions to the iconic boy band *NSYNC. His dynamic voice and captivating stage presence won the hearts of millions and cemented his place in pop culture history. Beyond his performing career, Kirkpatrick has expanded his influence as a producer and entrepreneur, demonstrating his diverse talents and dedication to the industry. As we reflect on his journey, it's clear that Kirkpatrick's legacy continues to resonate, marking him as a multifaceted artist who has left an enduring impression on both music and entertainment.
References
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