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Shy Girls No More

NSync

Queena:

Tenile and I are stunned when we see the Oakland Coliseum. There are hundreds of thousands of people running and screaming for NSync. There are always some dedicated fans wearing NSync T-shirts, holding up signs like “I love you Justin,” and even with words written all over their bodies. Tenile’s holding our four tickets in her hands and they clearly say that it is not allowed to bring in any camera or recording devices. But it’s a once in a lifetime chance and we don’t want to miss out on capturing our idols on film. So, guess what we did? Exactly, we bring it in anyway. I hide the camera inside Tenile’s hood. With her long, thick, black hair covering it — there should be no problems. Other people do the same thing and anyway, people are selling NSync disposable cameras and other products inside. The price is ruthless — everything is so expensive! We buy pictures and glow lights anyway.

While we are looking for our seats, we are jumping up and down, screaming and saying “Oh my god!” As the staff leads us closer and closer to our seats, we get more and more excited. Our seats are actually right next to the runway of the stage and we are told that we can lean out and touch them.

The first opening act for the NSync 2001 PopOdyssey Tour is the NSB (Not So Boyband) featuring Joey’s dad and three other hotties. They bust out of the curtains and start to dance their butts off and sing. They are so cute and funny. The second opening act is the group Eden’s Crush. The four gorgeous ladies tear open their green gear and transform into these cool colorful outfits. They sing songs off of their album Pop Star and it is great. The third act is Dante Thomas; he is completely new to us. Although we’re not familiar with him, we enjoy it. Especially one of his Asian dancers — he is very cute and also has plenty of great dance moves. I am so surprised that there’s an Asian dancer. The last act is Samantha Mumba and her little brother who looks like little Bow-Wow comes out rapping. The crowd is dancing and singing along with her. I think, finally, it is NSync’s turn, but there are still thirty minutes left on the big screen.

Tenile:

The one-minute countdown begins. My heart is beating faster as each second passes. I hold onto Queena’s sleeve as my long awaited dream finally comes true. For the first time, three friends and I are going to see my favorite idols perform. I can hear every fan counting, “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!” All of a sudden everyone chants “Nsync, Nsync, Nsync!” The lights go down and this spotlight hits the stage. Five mysterious masked men come out, everyone screams. They just stand there as every set of yearning eyes stares at them. Out of nowhere on another stage across from the masked men, the members of Nsync pop out from a pyramid and start singing their new single Pop. I feel a few tears going down my face and I know they are tears of joy. NSync looks so dreamy in each of their outfits. They have so much energy in them that I am jumping up and down, screaming out the lyrics to their songs. For shy girls like Queena and me, I can’t believe how crazy NSync makes us. I want to cry but at the same time I am smiling and screaming for them. I realize I idolize them even more when I touch Lance and Joey once, and JC twice. I am a little sad that I don’t get to touch Chris and Justin, because Justin is my favorite. Their last song is “Bye Bye Bye.” As they finish their song they climb into this cloth-like bag inside of this cage. After the dancers leave the stage, the bag comes down, revealing nothing.

We feel very sad when they leave but it feels magical. A few hours felt like a few minutes, but those few minutes were the most amazing and touching moments of unexplainable joy.