Love On The Road

Love on the road with no strings attached? You'd think that being in a boy band would mean guaranteed success in the girl stakes. But in reality, it's not as easy as it seems, with endless touring and no time at home. Sara Graham talks exclusively to *N Sync cutie JC Chasez about love and life on the road, and their new album, No Strings Attached.

What's the hardest thing about maintaining a relationship while you're touring?
That's usually why we don't win at maintaining them! It's tough, I'm not going to lie about that. It sounds like a cliched story, but you just don't get to spend time with somebody. People need attention, that's basically what it boils down to.

What's the most complicated part of long-distance love?
Trying to make phone calls from different time zones. Because suppose you can get back to the hotel on time one night to call her, but whoever you're dating, they're not always going to be in at their place at the same time. Or you miss one phone call, then you get lazy and you miss two. They think you're dodging them, or maybe you're thinking "Why aren't they home? Where are they?"

How do you even manage to meet girls with your schedule?
Usually we meet them back home, when we get back from touring. We run into friends who introduce us to people.

When you do have a girlfriend, how do you find time away from the other guys to spend time with her?
You just have to do your own thing. You just hang out and do things that are normal and cool, like any person would do.

Don't you get mobbed?
It just depends on where I go. If I go to a mall, of course I'm going to get mobbed. But movie theaters are dark, and you don't find so many kids in bowling alleys.

What's a clear indication that a girl only likes you for the band?
When that's all that they talk about.

What's one way you like to be romantic on the road?
I don't even know! I guess I'm not very good at the whole romance thing. If you try to do something for them even if you're not there, that's a good way.

How many serious relationships have you had since you've been in the band and touring so much?
I've probably had one, and that was back in the beginning. Since then, I haven't really buckled down, or met anyone.

Have you ever had a girl break if off with you because she just couldn't handle the scrutiny?
No, usually things dissolve after just a few dates anyway. I'm not there, and people need attention. They'll say "Look, I thought it was going to be cool but you're just never here." And it doesn't work. They date you because they want to be with you, and if you can't give that to them...

Have you ever gone out with a girl who had a problem with the female fans you have?
No, I've never experienced that.

Do they ever find it necessary to look good around you in case the paparazzi show up?
No, that's the last thing they're thinking about on a date. [JC laughs] If you want to hang out with someone, you just want to kick it and do your own thing. You don't want to run into people with cameras.

Are they more nervous about infidelity now that you can't always be around who you're dating?
You know what? If I worried about that I'd pull my hair out. You really have to trust someone until they prove you wrong.

Do you buy more expensive gifts for the girls you date now that you have more cash to spare?
No, I do the same old stuff!

When you're on tour, and fly in your girlfriend to see you, can you pick her up at the airport or is that a mob scene?
No, it's not bad, not that it happens all the time. With my schedule, I don't date that many steady girls, so I don't really pick too many up at the airport.

What do you think about going out on a date with a fan? Would you ever consider it?
I've definitely dated people who have been interested in the group, if you call that a fan. As long as they're cool, and the band isn't what they're obsessed with, it's fine. If they can talk openly to me about themselves and things that aren't involved with the group, then yeah. There's nothing wrong with them liking our music, coz that's what I spend my time doing!

How do you know what true love is?
I don't! Really! I'm still not sure.

Have you ever dated someone who didn't get along with the other guys in the group?
No, not really. But that's not what my concern is, because when I'm dating someone, I would like their attention to be focused on me, not the other guys!

Could you ever see yourself singing to a girl onstage?
Probably not. It would be too awkward. Everybody sings from a different place, and my place is inside. It's tucked away. I'm not a very outward person when I sing. When I perform, I'm either really hyper or really introverted.

Do you have a girlfriend now?
No.

You just need an Australian girl then! Do you have any plans to come to Australia?
Yeah, we're definitely working on that right now. We're going to come down there whether it's warm or cold -- whatever it takes. We just want to be there and experience it all, no matter what!
By Sara Graham

Dolly (Aussie mag) May 2000