Best known as a member of the boyband NSYNC, Italian-American singer, dancer, actor and television personality Joseph Anthony Fatone Jr. launched a hot dog franchise called Fat One’s Hot Dogs and Italian Ice just last summer. He jokes about how "No one can ever pronounce [his surname] properly."
Joey: Usually yeah. It’s either Fatone, Fatoni, Fat-one, Fay-tone, Tonno... They get it all messed up.
Jason: So, what is it for the record?
Joey: Well in America of course it’s Fa-tone. *nods* But when I was younger I used to be called Fat One. I accepted it and I had fun with it.
Jason: And now you’re making a hot dog franchise out of it.
Joey: Isn’t that great? I know. It’s hilarious. Yeah I started doing this thing called "Fat One’s." Who knew?! Yeah I started this hot dog franchise; let’s see what’s going to happen. I started in Florida, two different places, one over by Orlando [Mall], one more down south, and we’ll see what happens.
Jason: So, as you’re doing events like the different comic expos and events around the country, because your career has changed so much, what are you finding? Are you finding a lot of people are coming to you because of the zombie movie or ... I imagine most of them are [because] of NSYNC, or various other projects that you’ve done too?
Joey: Yeah I think it’s a mixture of everything. You know it all depends on in what light people have seen me in; whether it be hosting or ... doing Dead 7 or Fat Greek Wedding. It’s actually kind of nice that it’s been across the board like that—just well rounded of different things. And it’s nice to be able to explore stuff like that and hopefully I don’t suck at any of them.
We don’t think you suck at any of those things Joey. We really don’t.
Jason: It’s got to feel nice with such a demand of people saying, "So is there going to be another concert and are you going to do a tour?"
Joey: It’s crazy people still talk about it! You know it’s actually pretty exciting... It’s cool we’re still in the eye of the public and that’s why... Myself and Justin do a lot of stuff out there... and it’s still in that realm so people are still questioning "Hey is it ever going to happen? Hey, is it ever going to happen?" You know what; you never say never, but as of right now... "Probably not." It is very nice and very warming to know that a lot of parents out there, because they are now parents—they’re adults and have kids, are handing down the legacy and listening to NSYNC and so now these kids are like, "Hey I listen to you because of my mom." It’s awesome!
Jason: You guys had epic choreography. So is that part of what the stumbling block is? Just the thought of having to do all that choreography you did in your twenties now? ‘Cause they’d be expecting everything.
Joey: Oh man! When we did the MTV award with Justin we thought we were just singing and he said "You’re going to be dancing" and I was like, "I’m sorry, what?"
Jason: Ha ha ha!
Joey: I was sweating profusely! When we did the rehearsals, it was hilarious. Me and Chris were like "Okay we’re getting too old for this stuff man, I can’t keep up," and we weren’t even dancing that much but you know, it’s all about conditioning! If I did it longer then it might be okay. But trying to get back into stuff like that, it’s like "Uhhhhhggghh... Tired."
Jason: You guys were obviously aware you had a massive gay fan base. What did that mean to you guys?
Joey: Well it sucks that Lance didn’t come out until after the fact that... I mean we probably would’ve had a lot more fans... so thanks a lot Lance!
Jason: Ha ha!
Joey: I think it’s amazing because we would do these different concerts in different places and different cities and it’s amazing to see how the gay community has definitely... they’re a lot more accepted over the years. You know the funny thing is you’ll see one concert where it’s all just kids, then you’ll see a concert where it’s all college kids, then we’ll see kids with their parents and stuff like that and we’ll see a whole bunch of gay community [members] and we embrace all of it! That’s the beauty of it. Music is music no matter what and everybody is a person no matter what gender they like. I mean let’s be honest who gives a crap, that’s your personal preference and what you do and that’s great! So for me it’s anybody that comes out and enjoys music and has a good time—I’m all for it!
Jason: Was there any discussion from management or various people that were involved in running the juggernaut that was NSYNC about "if any of you guys are [gay] we don’t want to hear about it."
Joey: No! Nobody said anything! It was really Lance’s mentality... he didn’t want to say anything because he didn’t know if it was going to jeopardize the group. He wanted to, I believe. I was actually the first one to find out—out of the other guys. ... I said "Dude I’m not saying anything; it’s your decision." You know I’m not going to be the one to tell the [other] guys, "Hey did you know Lance is gay?" *shakes head* "It’s your decision man! I love you I support you in whatever you want to do." It’s that kind of thing. No one has ever said, "Well if you are, don’t say." It was not like that, which was great. We all relied on each other and supported each other. The minute he did come out it was the same thing. "Hey dude, we’re here for you; whatever you need."
Jason: I think the story that was making the rounds was you caught him. Is that accurate?
Joey: Uh no, it is kind of accurate. I really didn’t catch him in the act. So let’s not get there. What really happened was we were at a club one night and we all went out drinking. We came back to his house. We all hung out with a bunch of friends of ours, the ones we all hung out with in Orlando. I went to his guest bedroom and I passed out. I woke up at 4:00 in the morning and *pretends to check watch* "I gotta go home!" So I went to go say goodbye to him! I went and knocked, I went to his room; he wasn’t in his room. I went outside, he wasn’t outside. I went to his other guest room. He wasn’t there. I opened up his office door and one of our friends, I know him, was sitting on his lap in the chair. I was like *points index finger* "Let me know when you’re done!" I just closed the door and he was like, "No come in! Nothing’s going on." So I went, okay, I walked in and he went, "Surprise!" I’m like, "Hey what’s up?" and he was like, "Now you know." I said, "Dude, I don’t care, I love ya, but your mom is probably gonna kill ya." *laughs* That’s all I said. "Let’s just figure this out." He said, "Don’t tell the guys. I wanna tell them later on my own time." *puts up hands* "Dude that’s your business; that’s your thing" so...
Jason: Ha ha! The one from Mississippi had to be gay. So what’s next for you after the Expo? What’s on the agenda?
Joey: Just been taking it easy a little bit. Right now dealing with the Fat One’s Place and spending more time with my kids and a couple more of these *gestures at convention.* Just taking a little more chill pill; I just finished up My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 and then I also did Dead 7 so doing that whole press thing now like—Kinda like chill daddy mode, if you will. So... *nods*
Jason: That has a whole other connotation... *shakes head*
Joey: *laughs*
Jason: *laughs*
Joey: Ha ha ha!
Jason: Joey is now a daddy.
Joey: Well usually I’m a bear. In the community I’m called a bear. Or I’m a cub! I’m not as old I guess? Is older more of a bear?
Jason: It’s more build.
Joey: It’s more build? Okay. Like a build-a-bear?
Jason: Yeah just like that.
Joey: I said it! That’s a new one! You have a new one now!
Jason: Steve? I know you’re behind the camera but cub? Or bear?
Steve: Or build?
Joey: It’s not very hairy, it’s just a little.
Steve: You’re still a little bit young.
Joey: I’m still young. That’s what I’m saying. I’m 39.
Jason: All right so you’re a bear.
Joey: All right!
*Everyone laughs*
Keep on being an entertainer Joey. We love you.
Related Articles
Contributor Achiru | Jason Clevett |
Locale Calgary |
Person Joey Fatone |
Topic Calgary Expo | Celebrity Interview | Celebrity Video Interview | Comic Expo | NSYNC |
