Lou Pearlman’s death has generated a lot of complicated feelings among pop fans, as well as those from whom he worked as a manager, svengali and in many cases a legal opponent. Pearlman died in prison on Friday where he was serving a 25-year sentence for his part in a Ponzi scheme was ripped off investors for a half billion dollars. The news of his passing would break on Saturday.
A number of Pearlman’s former clients have shared their thoughts following the boy band kingmaker’s death. Considering the 62-year-old’s reputation and history of being taken to court over the lack of funds that trickled down to the pop stars under his charge, the reactions were understandably complex and a few responses were decidedly more diplomatic than others
*NSYNC vet Justin Timberlake shared on Twitter that he hopes Pearlman found peace.
I hope he found some peace. God bless and RIP, Lou Pearlman.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) August 21, 2016
Fellow *NSYNC bandmates Lance Bass and Chris Kirkpatrick also commented on their former manager’s passing.
Mixed emotions right now, but RIP Lou Pearlman.
— Chris Kirkpatrick (@IamCKirkpatrick) August 21, 2016
O-Town alum Ashley Parker Angel shared his thoughts, as did Jacob Underwood.
Love him or hate him, Lou gave many of us our start. It's a shame he let greed get in his way. #RIP #LouPearlman pic.twitter.com/u91HAuflio
— Ashley Parker Angel (@ParkerAngel) August 21, 2016
Hard to describe what I'm feeling.. He was always nice to me, even when he was stealing from me. RIP. https://t.co/Elyg4EgGHH
— Jacob Underwood (@JacobUnderwood7) August 21, 2016
Backstreet Boys talent AJ McLean weighed in and shared that he has “many emotions at the news of Lou’s passing.”
Many emotions at the news of Lou's passing. Without Lou I wouldn't have met my four brothers or had the opportunity of a lifetime. RIP.
— AJ McLean (@aj_mclean) August 21, 2016
Aaron Carter, another former Pearlman client, stated that “karma is real” in his reaction to Pearlman’s death.
https://twitter.com/aaroncarter/status/767173596863012866
Considering Pearlman’s impact on the music business, as well as the less-than-desirable portions of his legacy, we imagine more reactions will be rolling in through the weekend and beyond.
