YouTube Red Sets Doc on Boy Band Manager Lou Pearlman

YouTube Red has ordered the documentary The Lou Pearlman Project (working title), about the disgraced music manager, from Pilgrim Media Group and executive producer and former *NSYNC member Lance Bass.

The documentary will premiere on YouTube Red in 2018. It will reveal the dark side of stardom and of the music industry, exploring the impact of Pearlman’s Ponzi scheme and other scams. Members of multi-platinum-selling bands such as *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, O-Town and Take 5 will tell viewers about what it was like working with Pearlman. The project includes in-depth interviews with Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean; O-Town’s Ashley Parker Angel; Aaron Carter, who is a recording artist and brother of Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter; and *NSYNC’s JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick and Bass. It will also feature band members’ mothers Diane Bass (mother of Lance Bass) and Lynn Bomar Harless (mother of former *NSYNC member Justin Timberlake).

Also featured are entertainment industry experts who speak to Pearlman’s meteoric rise. Federal agents, former friends and colleagues, and victims of Pearlman’s Ponzi scheme and other scams will expose the abuse and fraud that culminated in his undoing.

“Viewers are going to be captivated by these riveting stories from some of the biggest names in music as they recount the extraordinary challenges they’ve faced on their rise to fame,” said Susanne Daniels, the global head of original content at YouTube. “Music is wildly popular on our platform, and this documentary gives fans a level of access to the true stories and real-life highs and lows of their favorite artists that they can’t find anywhere else.”

Lance Bass stated, “I’ve always wanted to tell the story of the rise and fall of Lou Pearlman; I thought I knew most of the story since I had a front-row seat. I was fascinated to learn so much more through the eyes of other artists that were also subjected to Pearlman and his nefarious operation.”

Pilgrim Media Group’s CEO and executive producer, Craig Piligian, added, “This documentary marries pop-music history and true crime as it takes a unique look into how Pearlman created superstars, while all along taking advantage of them. Even as the film highlights the great talents that emerged on his watch, it sheds new light on a sad legacy and dramatic fall from grace.”