Lance Bass and Joey Fatone, known for their days in the chart-topping boy band NSYNC, have found their shared history has translated surprisingly well to their new gig hosting E!'s reality competition series, "Cocktail Wars." The show features seasoned mixologists competing in various challenges for a $10,000 prize, with Bass and Fatone joined by expert mixologist Melissa Brooke and a rotating cast of celebrity guest judges.
Fatone noted that the hosting role felt natural, stating, "It makes sense they thought of us to be part of the show. We like to have fun; we travel the world; we’ve tasted many drinks—responsibly, of course." Bass echoed this sentiment, admitting that while they initially thought they knew a lot about drinks, they quickly learned otherwise.
Behind-the-Scenes Habits
Reflecting on their NSYNC touring days, Bass revealed a past habit of sneaking alcoholic beverages during concerts. "We’d put Jack and Coke in our water bottles so we could have a few drinks during the last few songs of the tour," he shared. Fatone confirmed this practice, clarifying it was limited to the final songs and that they remained present and performed their duties despite it.
Navigating Health on Set
Bass, who lives with Type 1 diabetes, discussed the challenges of filming a show centered around alcohol while managing his health. He explained that the show's production team and his own support system were vigilant about monitoring his glucose levels. "Of course, when you do a show like this, it’s difficult because the mixers are what get you," Bass said. He added that he learned to identify cocktails that do not significantly spike his glucose, allowing him to participate more safely.
Fatone observed the team's efforts to support Bass, remarking, "Every time we took a sip, someone would be checking his levels." Bass emphasized that even with diabetes, individuals can pursue diverse activities, including hosting a television show.
Mixology Mastery
During "Cocktail Wars," Bass and Fatone gained a deeper understanding of mixology, learning terms and techniques from Melissa Brooke. Fatone expressed surprise at the complexity, noting, "We learned a lot. Melissa would use terms like ‘flip.’ We’d say, ‘I’m like, I’m sorry, what is that?’ That’s using the whole egg in the drink, believe it or not."
Bass likened the mixologists' work to chemistry, acknowledging their expanded expertise. "At the start of all this, we kind of thought we knew what we were talking about. We learned quickly that we did not," he stated.
Celebrity Guest Judges
The show features a variety of celebrity guest judges, including reality television personalities such as Melissa Gorga, Sonja Morgan, and Ramona Singer. Bass mentioned that Lisa Vanderpump was initially slated to appear but couldn't due to a scheduling conflict with her new show and hotel opening.
Fatone highlighted his excitement over other guests, including Peppermint, Seth Green, and Rachel Maddow, whom he described as knowledgeable about the history of alcohol, particularly martinis.
When asked to name a cocktail after an NSYNC song, both Bass and Fatone agreed on "Gone." Fatone also suggested "Bye, Bye, Bye" or a tropical drink named "Sailing."