Boy Band 98 Degrees Received State-by-State Age-of-Consent Manual from Record Label
In a startling revelation from the new documentary Boy Band Confidential, lead singer Nick Lachey of the 1990s US boyband 98 Degrees has disclosed that their record label provided them with a handbook detailing the age of consent in every US state during their first tour. The documentary, which premiered on Investigation Discovery, explores the darker aspects of the music industry's boyband era.
Label's Precautionary Measure for Young Stars
Lachey explained that the manual was given to the band members—who were aged between 21 and 24 at the time—as a precautionary measure to help them avoid legal issues while touring. "I remember our first tour, someone at the label gave us a book, and it was the age of consent in every state in the country," Lachey said. "We kept that book on the tour bus."
The age of consent in the United States varies by state, typically ranging from 16 to 18 years old. Adults who engage in sexual activity with individuals below this age can face criminal charges, though some states have exceptions for cases involving minors and young adults with small age differences.
Mixed Reactions to the Revelation
Lachey's comments have sparked a divided response as they circulated ahead of the documentary's release. On Canadian talk show The Social, one host described the manual as "actually really progressive" for a time predating the #MeToo movement by two decades. However, another host countered, "Any time an adult has to sort of come into the room and say, 'OK, guys, here's a guide to how to barely stay legal'—that just seems creepy to me."
In the documentary, Lachey reflects on the pressures faced by boybands, noting, "Unfortunately, there were people out there looking to tear you down." This statement is followed by archival footage of young fans expressing admiration for the band.
Behind the Scenes of 98 Degrees' Rise
Boy Band Confidential also delves into the financial and personal challenges the group encountered. Lachey revealed that 98 Degrees received minimal advance payments from their contract with Motown, leading them to use public transportation or drive themselves and eat at fast-food chains during tours.
Additionally, Lachey highlighted the lack of mental health support in the 1990s compared to today's standards. "You'll see a Justin Bieber cancel a tour—you'll see a Shawn Mendes cancel a tour because 'my mental health needs to come first'," he said. "That was not an option when we were out there. You went out there and you did the show and you came back after the show and you broke down and you cried and you kicked a hole in the wall, or you did whatever you had to do. But you didn't bow out."
Legacy of 98 Degrees
At their peak between 1998 and 2000, 98 Degrees scored three top five US hits: Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche), Because of You, and The Hardest Thing. They also contributed guest vocals to Mariah Carey's Thank God I Found You, which reached number one and earned a Grammy nomination for best vocal pop collaboration.
The band, based in Los Angeles, included Nick Lachey, his brother Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre. Beyond his music career, Nick Lachey is known for his marriage to pop singer Jessica Simpson from 2002 to 2006 and for hosting Netflix game shows Love Is Blind and The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On with his wife, Vanessa Lachey.
The documentary's second part is available for streaming on HBO Max, offering further insights into the boyband phenomenon of the 1990s, which featured groups like *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, and was marked by issues of abuse, addiction, and financial exploitation.
