Category Archives: California

*NSYNC star Joey Fatone has lifted the lid on his brutal financial struggles in the wake of the boy band’s sudden hiatus—revealing that his money woes became so severe, he was forced to sell his Florida home and move back in to his parents’ house, along with his wife and children.

Fatone, 49, spoke frankly about his sudden fall from financial grace in a new Investigation Discovery documentary “Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event,” explaining how the shock decision to put *NSYNC on an indefinite break left him in a desperate situation.

The singer confessed that the news of the band’s 2002 hiatus came as a total surprise to him, explaining that there was “never a conversation” between himself and his fellow members—Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, and Chris Kirkpatrick.

“There was never a conversation, per se. There was never a goodbye. There was never anything,” he says in the documentary.

Prior to the band’s split, Fatone had been incredibly comfortable financially, even investing some of his hard-earned cash in a huge 10,000-square-foot home in Orlando, FL, which offered all manner of luxurious amenities, including a movie theater, a gym, and a mini golf course.

At the time, the singer says he was regularly checking in with his accountant to ensure that his finances were in good standing—noting that he asked for permission before purchasing the home in 2001 for $2.7 million, because he was afraid of spending too much money.

“Money was coming in. I asked my accountant, ‘Hey, are we good?’ ‘Yeah, we’re great.’ ‘I’m OK to buy this house, right?’ He goes, ‘Your kids’ kids’ kids will be fine,'” Fatone recalls in a clip obtained by Entertainment Weekly.

However, Fatone notes that, in hindsight, his accountant was likely unaware that his regular stream of income was about to be shut off, almost overnight.

By 2011, his financial situation was in a much more severe state, leading to his new accountant urging him to sell his expansive mansion as quickly as possible to avoid impending bankruptcy.

“10 years later … when I go to a new accountant, I say, ‘Hey man, can you look at my finances and what’s going on?’ And he goes, ‘You need to get out of that house or you’re gonna go bankrupt.’ I went, ‘I’m sorry, what?'” Fatone reveals.

The extent of his financial woes was made painfully clear to him on Christmas, when his electricity was suddenly shut off because he was unable to pay the bill—just as his family was preparing to open gifts and sit down to their holiday meal.

At the time, Fatone was married to Kelly Baldwin, with whom he shares two children—and the two had invited several members of his extended family for a celebration.

“There was one point during Christmas they shut off the lights to my house because I didn’t pay the bill,” he shares in the documentary. “I almost was gonna go bankrupt. And I have a family. This is when I am married, I have two kids.”

While he conceded that these kinds of financial hardships happen every day, Fatone added that he was facing further complications because of his fame—and his desire to keep his situation out of the public eye.

“These are certain things that happen in normal people’s lives as well, but then you have to figure out, for me, how do I do this without the public even watching of what’s going on?” he explains.

Fatone said he quickly swallowed his pride and turned to the people in his life who “had the most money” to ask them for financial assistance—but found the door shut in his face on more than one occasion, leaving him with little choice but to move his family in with his parents in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, property records show that his Florida home was put on the market in 2009 for $5.9 million, before that price was raised to $6.5 million in June 2010. However, having failed to find a buyer by the following February, Fatone was forced to auction off the dwelling for the much lower price of $3.3 million.

Though humbling, he admits that this experience encouraged him to embrace a new role in life—one that didn’t rely on his past fame or *NSYNC successes, but instead focused on a career that he forged himself, even if that meant accepting jobs that he previously wouldn’t have considered.

“I lived in Vegas for almost a year, busted my ass to slowly build back up kind of a career in a sense,” he explains. “I went from performing in stadiums to, a year later, two years later, doing Broadway and then, all of a sudden, when things go down, I’m doing ‘The Price Is Right’ at Bally’s, a live show in front of maybe 100 people.”

Speaking to People magazine, Fatone said this rock-bottom period in his life also taught him another important lesson—that it was ultimately his choice how he handled the disappointment.

“Talking about possibly going bankrupt myself and going down that path, when you had millions of dollars … to almost have nothing, it’s like, what do you do?” he said.

“Do you go off the deep end, like some people have, and go to addiction to try to get your body numb and not think about it? Or do you get the positive attitude and go, ‘You know what? I can do it.'”

Fatone also experienced a newfound love of music and performing, explaining that it helped him to stay positive, even in the toughest times.

“I love performing and I loved hosting. Honestly, me and [fellow executive producer Joe Mulvihill] have always talked about this,” he said. “I’ve always just had a positive attitude, no matter what happens. You just have to think and realize there’s always light at the other side, in some way, shape, or form.”

He explained that although his sense of “normalcy” was taken away from him following the end of the boy band, he knew he couldn’t let it take over his life.

“You may not get there right away. It may not happen overnight, but you will get there. Like I said in the doc, living with my parents with a wife and two kids and not knowing when I’m actually going to get out and into my own place and have some normalcy … it was kind of taken away, with not knowing financial things and what I was doing,” he added.

Although Fatone’s life didn’t go as planned, he was thankful that some of his other boy band members weren’t experiencing the same fate.

“It’s amazing to see the clarity. That’s another cool thing, to watch somebody where they’re cloudy back in the day and then see their face and see them come to clarity, which is absolutely amazing,” he revealed.

TV personality Ryan Seacrest has opened up about his dating red flags, while admitting that he may soon open himself up to apps like Tinder in his quest to find love, two years after ending a yearslong romance with model Aubrey Paige.

Addressing his dating struggles in the latest episode of his podcast, “On Air With Ryan Seacrest,” the 51-year-old gave a short list of “red flags” for any future love interests—noting that he is turned off by anyone who doesn’t greet another person while biking or running.

“When you’re out on a run or a walk or a bike ride, do you say hi to people that pass? If you don’t, I’m not so sure about you,” he joked. He added that he likes to take his dates out for a “little exercise” as a “test” to see how they interact with others.

As for his “green flags,” Seacrest called attention to another morning ritual, specifically his preferred beverage.

“I really look forward to getting up and having my coffee,” he explained. “I think if we can’t share that moment together, it’s a red flag. So, ‘I need coffee’ is a green flag. Don’t have a lot, and please don’t put milks and stuff in it.”

He later said that he planned to “be on Tinder” later that night so he could begin his search for the ideal partner. It’s unclear whether he’s had any luck.

Seacrest appears to be embracing a significant season of change in his personal life of late—having just relisted his sprawling Napa Valley estate for $19.8 million. This is the second time he has attempted to offload the picturesque property.

He initially listed the home in April 2025—exactly 12 months after he split from Paige, whom he had dated for three years. Before Paige, he dated chef Shayna Taylor from 2013 to 2020. He also previously had a relationship with dancer Julianne Hough.

Interestingly, his Napa Valley abode, which is located in St. Helena, CA, would likely serve as the ideal spot to have a date—with Seacrest previously revealing that it is the place where he feels most able to “slow down and take it all in.”

“It’s such a peaceful spot, and the views out over the valley floor are unforgettable,” he said in a press release announcing the listing. “You can even see the hot-air balloons drifting by in the distance. It’s the kind of place where you naturally want to slow down and take it all in.”

The home spans 10,750 square feet, which includes five bedrooms and six bathrooms.

The listing, which is held by Cyd Greer of Coldwell Banker Boker of the Valley, highlights the pool, guesthouse, cottage, and more amenities.

“Originally built in 2004, the property underwent a significant remodel in 2023/2024, blending timeless elegance with a fresh, light-filled space tailored for today’s modern lifestyle,” the listing reads.

The luxurious property is surrounded by lush greenery, which adds another layer of privacy to the remote setting.

Upon entering the home, guests are greeted with an expansive living area with a soaring ceiling, a chic fireplace, and access to the outdoor area.

The dining area boasts an all-white color palette and a wood-beamed ceiling.

“Built to exceptional standards, the home showcases chiseled limestone walls, reclaimed wood beams, seven fireplaces, and expansive pocketing doors seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor living spaces. Outdoor living areas feature an infinity-edge pool and spa, a spacious central courtyard for large scale dining, inviting view terraces, a bocce court and a 220-tree Italian olive grove,” adds the listing.

Highlights of the main house include an inner courtyard, a chef’s kitchen, and a spacious primary suite with an office and private terrace.

The layout includes a library gallery, TV room, gym, laundry, garden room, storage room, and three-car garage.

Luxe details include reclaimed wood beams and wide-plank oak floors. Custom cabinetry, lighting, doors, and windows were all installed.

There are seven wood-burning fireplaces in the main house, including a kitchen fireplace with a rotisserie and a pizza oven. The living room has a dry bar and pocket doors to the side terrace.

Outside, mature trees and native plantings dot the landscape, which also sports an infinity pool and spa and a bocce court.

Seacrest added 220 fruiting Italian olive trees. The property is equipped with security and surveillance systems, built-in audio, a Lutron lighting system, and a whole-property backup generator.

The luxe bathrooms boast marble vanities, soaking tubs, and glass-enclosed showers.

“Located just minutes from Meadowood Resort and downtown Saint Helena, this Napa Valley estate promises a lifestyle of luxury, privacy, and sophistication, perfectly suited for those seeking the ultimate in resort-style living,” adds the listing.

Seacrest previously attempted to offload the home in 2024 for $22 million. He took it off the market the following year.

Pop sensation Lizzo has finally sold her beleaguered Beverly Hills, CA, mansion—but has taken a $3.9 million loss on the property after spending more than a year trying to secure a buyer.

The “Tempo” hitmaker, 37, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, snapped up the dwelling for $15 million nearly four years ago, but after just a year and a half of ownership, she put it back on the market in December 2024 for the elevated asking price of $15.99 million.

Built in 2018, the property was constructed on the same parcel where musician Harry Styles had previously owned a home, however that dwelling was demolished soon after he moved out in 2016 and replaced with the newer abode.

But for all its celebrity ties, the property struggled to find a buyer—prompting Lizzo to steadily lower her asking price on multiple occasions over the following year, eventually dropping it to $12.5 million in January.

Earlier this month, Mansion Global reported that Lizzo had found a buyer for the home, and now Realtor.com® can exclusively reveal that the songstress has closed on that deal, accepting an even lower offer of $11.15 million, nearly $4 million less than she paid for the home four years ago and more than $1 million below the most recent asking price of $12.5 million.

According to the listing, which was held by James Harris of Carolwood Estates, the abode is “nestled within the prestigious gated enclave of Oak Pass Road in Beverly Hills.”

It was described a “modern sanctuary [that] embodies a rare synergy of architecture and nature. Positioned on a peaceful .32-acre lot, this three-bedroom, five-bathroom retreat offers a secluded haven with panoramic canyon and hillside vistas,” the listing adds.

The pad is crafted with “wood, stone, glass and fire elements,” that allow every room in the home to “welcome the outdoors through expansive floor-to-ceiling glass, creating a zen-inspired atmosphere for ultimate relaxation.

“The home’s L-shaped design and sculpted landscape enhance privacy, embracing the surrounding natural beauty,” the listing notes.

Upon entering the property, guests are greeted with an expansive living room that comes complete with a built-in bookshelf and a chic stone fireplace.

Adjacent to the living area, there is an elegant dining room with wood-beamed ceilings and black glass doors doors the give way to the outside.

The chef’s kitchen features a large marble island with enough seating space for four people, state-of-the-art appliances, and an expansive glass window that overlooks sweeping views of California.

Upstairs, there is a moody crystal room filled with crystals, a cozy couch, and a slew of musical instruments—making it the perfect spot for the songstress to record her hits.

“A dedicated gym and wellness area, private studio/office, theater room, and an outdoor kitchen with a fire pit complete this residence, a true celebration of refined, tranquil living in an extraordinary setting,” the listing adds.

The chic bathroom is the definition of luxury as it comes complete with a large soaking tub and a glass shower.

Outside the abode, there is a saltwater infinity pool, which offers breathtaking views from the lounge chairs, and plenty of lush greenery.

“Terraces along the property reveal sweeping views of the private backyard and surrounding mountains, with an inviting spa and lounge area designed for alfresco dining and gatherings, the listing stated.

“Oak Pass Road is an exclusive gated neighborhood in Beverly Hills Post Office situated west of North Beverly Park, with only 42 private residences offering unparalleled access to the shopping, dining and nightlife of Rodeo Drive and the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel.”

Lizzo rocketed to superstardom six years ago when she released her third studio album with hits such as “Juice” and “Tempo.”

She’s since created an extensive collection of Grammy-winning music, and she won an Emmy for her reality competition show, “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.”

Before her breakout success, Lizzo trained as a professional flutist and struggled to work her way into the hip-hop industry. She also famously had a stint living in her car.