Trouble in Teen Paradise started when 'N Sync hit it big in Germany and then kicked into high gear when they passed Backstreet Boys on the album charts in September. Wright alludes to bad feelings that he has created 'N Sync's success on the coattails of Backstreet Boy's."The ultimate goal was to do it not once but twice," says Wright. "With 'N Sync at number three in this country, I think we've done that. And, obviously, it's caused a problem."

    In fact, in September, Backstreet Boys made the move to leave Wright's Backstreet Management, although there's still a year to run on their managment contract. "Not to say too much-because we are in a legal situation right now-I was made an offer I could refuse," Wright explains adding, "With all the success and everything thats going on, we should all be popping champagne toasting the success that everybody has worked hard for over the last five years, but it's all mired by other things."

    A spokeswoman for Backstreet Boys confirms that the group has "parted ways" with management and is now "pursuing other possible oppurtunities." Pealman's relationship with the Boys continues, and Pearlman, Johnny Wright and Donna Wright all have their own enterprises, with Donna Wright running the Latin-tinged diva productions.

    Johnny Wright remains proud of the acts and the music. "We always get labeled by the critics as "bubblegum" because they are catering primarily to a teen audience, but the fact is, the records are good. You want to tell me that 'As long as you love me' and 'Quit Playing Games' aren't quality records? They are. "I want you back" and 'Tearin up My Heart' are quality records. If Aerosmith or someone was singing these songs, they would get a lot more creditibility."

    For Their part, the endlessly amiable 'N Sync guys have nothing bad to say about the Backstreet Boys. Still,obvious comparisons grow tiring. "People try to make a feud out of everything," says Justin. "And we didn't even see it like that." Furthermore, 'N Sync do feel they are musically distinct from the Boys, in part because of Fatone calls 'N Sync's "More intricate harmonies".

    According to Wright, they may also be the more cohesive outfit. "I don't want to say anything negative," says Wright, "but Backstreet Boys were put together as five guys who were on roads of their own, five individuals with five individual careers moving forward who are together. 'N Sync came to me as a group and kind of put themselves together. 'N Sync they're always moving as a group. I have never seen them argue with each other,and that kinda scares me."

    Now that 'N Sync have a pop mania to contend with, they've had time to consider their responsibility to all those little girls going crazy for them. "We just want to make sure everybody is safe," says JC. "As long as nobody is hurting themselves, there's no harm, no foul. I camped out for tickets, like, when Hammer was a big record of the day. We would camp out for six hours to get those tickets,and those are bonding experiences. It was our little way to have an adventure. It's not like we could go to Africa and go on a safari, but it was fun to be with your friends and do something a little crazy."

    For the record, the 'N Sync guys do have personal lives-as Kirkpatrick points out,"I'm twenty-seven years old; I'm allowed to date!" JC confirms that the group is "very hormonal," but he says it is morally grounded-don't forget the What Would Jesus Do? bracelets-and that none of them would ever date a studio intern, which puts these teen dreams one up on the president. Still, this begs the question of exactly how in sync with 'N Sync the girls want to get. Are they screaming because they dig the tunes and the dancing, or are they thinking about making out with their fab five?

    "No,I just think they're in it for the ride," says JC after pondering the issue. "They want to have a good time, and when they go to the show, we just want to enteratin the heck out of them."