Who does JC Chasez Think He Is?

That’s an interesting self-portrait you drew. But there’s something missing.
What’s that?

Where are your eyes, JC?
Those are my eyes! I guess that’s just how I see myself. I have small eyes, and I’m usually laughing or smiling anyway, so my eyes get really small.

What was the most memorable phone call of your life?
Probably when I was 5, and I was told that I was going to be adopted. I wasn’t in a home or anything; I was living with my mother. And then she was like, “Hey, how would you feel about moving in with these people?” And I was like — [shrugs]. My folks are dope. They’re killer. I’ve been happy ever since.

What drug will you never take again?
Anything with chemicals scares the shit out of me. I’ve seen people fall apart, and I won’t have any part of that. I’ve only done mushrooms and smoked pot. And I won’t say that I’ll never do those again, because I have a long life in front of me.

What’s your favorite curse word?
I like to use them all! I probably drop the f bomb more than any other. And one of my favorite things to say is “What’s up, fucker?” It’s a term of endearment, in every way. It’s the same thing with shitty — it’s my nickname for everybody. “How you doin’, Shitty?” It’s a nice thing to say, believe it or not. I even have a stuffed animal named Shitty.

Tell us about the first time you ever got drunk.
It was fun. I was 13 or so, at a pool hall in my hometown, Bowie, Maryland. We’d make somebody buy us beer, then we’d put it in a Dixie Cup. I like to have fun when I drink, let my inhibitions fall a bit, but I’ve probably been really out of my mind only twice.

Have you ever shaved any part of your body other than your face?
Yes, my leg. I was a foot model when I was 13. This guy saw me on the beach one day, and he asked to take a picture of my foot. I was like, “You’re weird, man.” He was like, “Dude, you have a clean-looking, cool foot.” So he took a Polaroid, called me the next day and said, “My clients want to use your foot for these posters.” I shaved my leg, they painted it to look like stone and I got paid two grand. It was like the lottery.

Is it good to be you?
It doesn’t suck! Even on a bad day.

What do people who don’t like you say about you?
They just don’t know me. It’s hard not to like me.

How would you characterize your taste in sex?
Uh, I like girls [laughs]. As long as they’re female, they’re of-age and we get along, I can make things work.

Why is the of-age part important?
’Cause I don’t want to go to jail. And ’cause it’s gross.

Should people take you seriously?
Yes and no. I work hard, but it’s just entertainment. I don’t have the cure for cancer. Certain songs I worked on are just jokes, and they’re meant to be taken lightly.

Maybe you’re thinking about your lyric “’Cause when I’m all alone/I lie awake and masturbate”?
But that’s not a joke! That’s part of being lonely and wanting to be with someone. When you’ve been separated for a long time, that’s part of what keeps you going.

I think we’re done, Shitty.
Cool, man! You get it!