Nick Lachey Suffered Identity Crisis as 98 Degrees Was Crafted into 'the White Jodeci,' Told to Attend 'Black Churches in Harlem'
Nick Lachey Suffered Identity Crisis as 98 Degrees Was Crafted into 'the White Jodeci,' Told to Attend 'Black Churches in Harlem'
Angela AndaloroTue, April 7, 2026 at 9:21 PM UTC
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Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, Justin Jeffre and Nick LacheyCredit: Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty -
98 Degrees signed to Motown Records in early 1997
Jeff Timmons, Nick Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Drew Lachey were inspired by different groups and willing to follow their label's lead, but struggled when some decisions made on their behalf felt inauthentic
Nick Lachey and Jeff Timmons discuss the effect of being made into the "white Jodeci" in ID's new documentary, Boy Band Confidential
98 Degrees grappled with their identity, as individuals and as a group, as they worked toward fame.
Unlike many other boy bands of the time, Jeff Timmons, Nick Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Drew Lachey came together and worked hard to get the attention of their original label, Motown Records. The label looked to craft the group's success around that of other successful groups, which didn't feel authentic to its members.
"The president of Motown, he wanted us to be the white Jodeci. So he was trying to give us that in a crash course," Lachey shares in ID's new documentary, Boy Band Confidential.
"They said, 'Hey, I want you guys to go to Black churches in Harlem on Sunday.' I remember going on a train to Rochester, New York, to work with DeVanté from Jodeci and we show up and DeVanté is being fitted for a bulletproof vest, in the studio. And I'm looking around like, 'Do we need a bulletproof vest? What did we just walk into?' " he claimed.
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98 Degrees perform at Shoreline Amphitheatre on July 31, 1997Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty
While they were grateful for their label's time and investment, Lachey admitted, "It does make you question, 'Well, why did you sign us if you didn't want us to be who we are? You're trying to make us into something else.' "
Timmons felt the group went along with it because they had little choice. "You've got to remember, we were a new act. We're not making any money. We don't know what the plan is and this is our shot," he noted.
Lachey admitted to struggling through this time, saying that what was asked of them "really starts to mess with you mentally," explaining, "We'll do whatever we have to do. But then you go home and you're like, 'What am I? Who am I?' "
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98 Degrees at the Big HelpCredit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Timmons also struggled with "severe depression" during this time, and felt like he was "the weakest link in the group."
"I just didn't feel good about myself. I didn't feel good, physically. I couldn't sleep and my head wasn't right," he explained. "I felt so worthless and just the fact that I could not handle all this pressure, that I was like, 'Just end it.' "
Timmons dedicated himself to getting past those thoughts, recalling, "For whatever reason, I just thought, 'No screw that. Just push one more time. Just try this last thing.' "
Jeff Timmons and Nick LacheyCredit: Barry King/WireImage
When Timmons went to the group's manager for help, he was able to get it.
"I went to our manager and I said, 'I need some help. If I don't get some sort of help, I will not be here. This is over. And I mean, seriously.' So he found a psychiatrist for me to go to, and he put me on this Atkins diet and put me on some medication. Within three months, I felt better than ever. It doesn't make this any easier, but at least I felt better that I didn't want to die."
Boy Band Confidential: A Hollywood Demons Event premieres Monday, April 20 at 9pm ET/PT on ID, with both titles available to stream on HBO Max.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
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