Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam is a must-watch for all ’90s pop superfans

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Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam is a must-watch for all '90s pop superfans

As a child of the ’90s, I remember the excitement and joy that Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC brought to us with their catchy tunes and electrifying performances. Their music was a staple in our lives, and we couldn’t get enough of them. But little did we know, there was a dark side to their story – a side that Netflix’s docuseries “Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam” brilliantly exposes.

In the late ’90s, many of us had posters of Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC in our bedrooms. We listened to their music on the radio and watched their videos on MTV. While some may be familiar with the backstage drama each boy band experienced under their shared manager Lou Pearlman, Netflix’s docuseries “Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam” reveals all the details.

Using the phrase “Pop” song from *NSYNC’s 2001 hit, this three-part documentary series delves into Pearlman’s past as a businessman, specifically his supposed aviation company Trans Continental. Later, drawing inspiration from the lucrative potential in the music industry with New Kids on the Block serving as role models, Pearlman transitioned into music. However, his secretive Ponzi scheme eventually unraveled and grew out of control.

Before starting “Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam,” you may be pondering whether this true crime series is worth your time and offers fresh insights into a familiar tale. Although it doesn’t focus on Backstreet Boys or *NSYNC specifically, ardent fans of these boy bands and the pop music scene from that era will be taken aback by the revelations hidden behind the melodies. If you’re new to this story, the documentary promises an intriguing take on events unfolded during that time.

Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam is a must-watch for all '90s pop superfans

A gripping and shocking docuseries

For those who may have missed the news over the years, Lou Pearlman’s criminal activities have been widely reported. If you were fans of the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC growing up, you might be aware that both groups severed ties with Pearlman early in their careers due to disputes over missing millions from their earnings.

I’ve seen my fair share of financial schemes and scams throughout my career as a business journalist, but what Michael Jackson’s former manager, Marc Pearlman, allegedly did takes the cake. It’s not just about swindling money from two of his most successful boy bands; it goes much deeper than that.

For someone my age who was brought up unaware of Pearlman’s significant involvement in shaping two popular ’90s boy bands, uncovering the complete extent of his deceit and finding out it extended to groups like O-Town and Natural, was a shocking revelation on a personal level. The docuseries “Dirty Pop” meticulously explores every aspect of this story over three episodes, featuring numerous firsthand accounts.

Lou Pearlman went to prison in 2007 and passed away in 2016

As a gamer, I can rephrase that experience as follows: Back in 2007, I found myself in a tight spot with mounting debts and fraud accusations chasing after me. Desperate to escape, I made a run for it and ended up in Indonesia. But my past couldn’t hide from the law forever, and I was eventually arrested there. During that time, I had been trying to start a business with a friend from Natural and secure more investments. However, my fate was sealed when I was sentenced to 25 long years in prison for conspiracy, money laundering, and other charges. At the age of 54, I began serving my sentence.

During his prison term, Pearlman experienced a stroke in 2010, followed by heart valve replacement surgery in 2016. Tragically, he passed away from cardiac arrest at the age of 62 on Aug. 29, 2016 – nine years into his sentence. This event signified the conclusion to the career of the notorious con artist who had caused significant financial harm to others throughout his life. The news of his death left many with mixed emotions, as encapsulated in Dirty Pop.

An intriguing element of “Dirty Pop” is the inclusion of a digitally rendered Lou Pearlman reciting excerpts from his 2003 book, “Bands, Brands, and Billions.” Despite Pearlman’s criminal background as a con artist, forger, and fraudster, portraying him in this manner raises ethical concerns and creates an uneasy atmosphere for true crime documentaries. Nonetheless, the captivating narrative of “Dirty Pop” makes it essential viewing to learn about one of history’s most horrifying and unbelievable scams.

Watch Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam on Netflix.

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2024-07-24 21:33