98 Degrees Kept 'Age of Consent' Guide on Tour Bus, Nick Lachey Reveals

The boy band also faced financial struggles early in their career, Lachey said in a new documentary.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:34pm

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An abstract close-up image of shimmering sequins and shattered glass, capturing the high-fashion aesthetic and material excess of the 90s music industry.The glitz and glamour of the 90s boy band scene concealed the industry's darker realities, as revealed in Nick Lachey's candid documentary.NYC Today

In a new documentary, Nick Lachey of the popular 1990s boy band 98 Degrees revealed that the group was given a guide detailing the age of consent laws in each state while on tour, which they kept on their tour bus. Lachey also discussed the financial challenges the band faced, including receiving only a modest advance from their label and having to take public transportation late at night after recording sessions.

Why it matters

This story provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and controversies that some popular music acts faced in the 1990s, particularly around issues of consent and the exploitation of young fans. It also sheds light on the financial realities of being in a successful but modestly compensated boy band during that era.

The details

According to Lachey, when 98 Degrees first went on tour, someone at their label gave them a book that detailed the age of consent laws in every state, which the band kept on their tour bus. Lachey said the label provided this resource to protect the band members, who were in their early 20s at the time, from potential legal issues. Lachey also revealed that 98 Degrees received a very small advance from their label, Motown, forcing the band members to take cost-cutting measures like taking the subway home late at night after recording sessions instead of using car services.

  • 98 Degrees formed in the early 1990s.
  • The band's first major tour took place in the mid-to-late 1990s.

The players

Nick Lachey

A member of the popular 1990s boy band 98 Degrees, who recently discussed the band's experiences in a new documentary.

98 Degrees

A successful 1990s boy band that included Nick Lachey, his brother Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre.

Motown

The record label that signed 98 Degrees and provided the band with a modest advance, according to Nick Lachey.

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What they’re saying

“This is going to sound super shady, but when we first went out, I remember our first tour, someone at the label gave us a book, and it was the age of consent in every state.”

— Nick Lachey, Member of 98 Degrees

“98 Degrees, we signed with Motown, and we got a very nominal advance on our contract. We knew that all expenses were recoupable and so we took the opposite approach [from other bands].”

— Nick Lachey, Member of 98 Degrees

What’s next

The documentary 'Boy Band Confidential' featuring Nick Lachey's comments about 98 Degrees is set to premiere on the ID channel on April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

This story highlights the challenges and controversies that some popular music acts faced in the 1990s, particularly around issues of consent and the financial realities of being in a successful but modestly compensated boy band. It provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the industry during that era.