Ariana Grande hinted at an *NSYNC collaboration ahead of her Coachella set. She did all of that on Sunday night and so much more, as Ari brought out the ‘90s boyband, Nicki Minaj, P Diddy and Mase for her headlining set.
Grande, who loves all things ‘90s, welcomed a Justin Timberlake-less *NSYNC on stage for a rendition of “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” lifted from the boy band’s self-titled 1997 debut album.
@ArianaGrande and @NSYNC live at #COACHELLA #ARICHELLA
this choreo is everything! pic.twitter.com/KFYLyOAJo2— ???? – saw ariana! (@arianascloudsx) April 15, 2019
*NSYNC’s JC Chasez and Lance Bass had teased the collab in the lead up to the final night’s top slot, and Grande played right along with it. It turned out to be a pop moment for the ages.
Tune in now https://t.co/kRjOZ0KCue @coachella @ArianaGrande pic.twitter.com/fc1tOLyayb
— *NSYNC (@NSYNC) April 15, 2019
The fans weren’t alone in being overwhelmed by the moment. Ari introduced the group to the stage by saying: “I’ve been rehearsing my entire motherf***ing life for this moment. Coachella, *NSYNC!”
Grande also tapped P Diddy and Mase for some assistance on The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1997’s Hot 100 chart-topper “Mo Money Mo Problems.”
P.DIDDY IS ON STAGE WITH ARIANA #ARICHELLA pic.twitter.com/Z2n6sfrzh8
— Ruby — (@h2gnotearsleft) April 15, 2019
Also during the set, Minaj stepped on out for a performance of their 2014 power-pack track “Bang Bang” which, according to social media reports, was plagued by technical problems.
#Arichella: Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj facing technical issues while performing “Bang Bang”: ‘We can’t hear anything’. #Coachella pic.twitter.com/NGYNkcki33
— Ariana Grande Access (@archivesaga) April 15, 2019
Grande’s main stage set in Indio, Calif. started at 10:30 p.m. PT and she’ll repeat the feat – hopefully without the sound issues — next week.