Chris Kirkpatrick facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chris Kirkpatrick
Kirkpatrick in 2024
Background information
Birth name	Christopher Alan Kirkpatrick
Born	October 17, 1971 (1971-10-17) (age 53) Clarion, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Origin	Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Pop, pop rock, alternative rock
Occupations	Singer songwriter producer dancer actor
Years active	1994–present
Labels	RCA, Jive

Christopher Alan Kirkpatrick (born October 17, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He is best known for founding the world-famous pop group NSYNC. In the band, he sang countertenor, which is a very high male singing voice.

NSYNC sold over 70 million records, making them one of the most successful boy bands ever. Chris sang the lead parts in several songs, including "Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)" and many songs on their holiday album, Home for Christmas.

Many people also know him as the voice of the pop star Chip Skylark on the Nickelodeon show The Fairly OddParents. He has also appeared on reality TV shows like Celebrity Big Brother and The Masked Singer.

Early Life and School

Chris Kirkpatrick was born on October 17, 1971, in Clarion, Pennsylvania. He was raised by his single mother, Beverly Eustice, along with his four younger half-sisters. His family has Irish, Scottish, Native American, and Hispanic roots.

Growing up, his family faced very hard times. They often moved and sometimes did not have a permanent home. Because of this, Chris went to many different schools. Despite these challenges, his family was very musical. His mother was a voice coach, and his grandmother was trained in opera.

Chris discovered his own talent for music at a young age. In sixth grade, he earned the lead role in a production of the musical Oliver!. After that, he began to study music seriously. In high school, he starred in more musicals and joined the school choir. He was even part of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, which once opened for the New Kids on the Block.

After high school, he moved to Orlando, Florida. He attended Valencia College, where he studied music. He started forming a cappella groups, which are singing groups that perform without any instruments. He later worked at Universal Studios as a singer in a doo-wop group.

Music Career

Founding NSYNC

While working at Universal Studios in 1994, Chris met a man named Lou Pearlman. Pearlman was known for managing the Backstreet Boys. He was interested in starting another singing group. Pearlman told Chris that if he could find other talented singers, he would help them get started.

Chris spent over a year searching for the right members. He recruited Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez, who had been on The Mickey Mouse Club. He then asked Joey Fatone, who also worked at Universal Studios, to join. Finally, they found their bass singer, Lance Bass, through a vocal coach. In 1995, the five members officially formed NSYNC.

The group practiced for hours every day in a warehouse in Orlando. They worked on their singing and dance moves. Soon after, they moved to Germany to start their music career.

Success with NSYNC

Chris Kirkpatrick around 1999

With NSYNC, Chris Kirkpatrick became a global superstar. The group was famous in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their first album, NSYNC, was released in 1997 and sold 11 million copies. It included hit songs like "I Want You Back" and "Tearin' Up My Heart".

In 1998, they released the holiday album Home for Christmas. It was a huge success, and the song "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" is still popular today.

Their second album, No Strings Attached (2000), broke records. It sold 2.4 million copies in its first week. It became the best-selling album of the year with hits like "Bye Bye Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me".

The group's third album, Celebrity (2001), was also a massive hit. It featured more songs written and produced by the band members themselves. Chris is credited with writing the song "Falling" on this album.

After their Celebrity Tour in 2002, NSYNC announced they were taking a break. The group has reunited several times since then. In 2018, they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2023, they released a new song, "Better Place", for the movie Trolls Band Together.

Solo Music and Other Projects

After NSYNC went on hiatus, Chris started a rock band called Nigel's 11. The band released an album called Clandestine Operation in 2010. Chris said the band's sound was inspired by classic rock groups like Queen and Boston.

He has also worked with other artists and appeared in music videos for bands like Good Charlotte and Fall Out Boy.

Television and Film Career

Chris Kirkpatrick is also known for his work in television. His most famous role was providing the voice for the pop star character Chip Skylark on Nickelodeon's The Fairly OddParents. He sang popular songs on the show like "My Shiny Teeth and Me."

He has also appeared on many reality TV shows.

• In 2007, he starred in Mission Man Band, where former boy band members formed a new group.
• In 2008, he was on Gone Country, where he wrote and performed a country song dedicated to his mother.
• In 2022, he was a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother.
• In 2022, he competed on The Masked Singer as the "Hummingbird."

Chris has also acted in movies. He had small roles in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! and the zombie movie Dead 7. He also voiced the character Trickee in the 2023 movie Trolls Band Together.

Personal Life

In 2013, Chris Kirkpatrick married his longtime girlfriend, Karlyn Skladany. All of his NSYNC bandmates attended the wedding. The couple has a son, who was born in 2017. The family currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2004, Chris started the Chris Kirkpatrick Foundation. This non-profit organization helps children in Florida by providing them with healthcare and educational programs. He was inspired to start it because of his own difficult childhood.

Discography

NSYNC

• NSYNC (1997)
• Home for Christmas (1998)
• No Strings Attached (2000)
• Celebrity (2001)

Nigel's 11

• Clandestine Operation (2010)

Filmography

Tours

Headlining

• For the Girl Tour (1997)
• NSYNC in Concert (1998–2000)
• No Strings Attached Tour (2000)
• PopOdyssey Tour (2001)
• Celebrity Tour (2002)
• Pop2000 Tour (2021–current)

As supporting act

• The Velvet Rope Tour (supporting Janet Jackson) (1998)

See also

In Spanish: Chris Kirkpatrick para niños