Before Britney Spears became a global pop sensation with “…Baby One More Time” in 1998, she was an early member of the girl group Innosense, according to a new episode of Netflix’s Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam.
The series, which explores the rise and fall of notorious music manager Lou Pearlman, reveals details about his other musical ventures beyond *NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys, and O-Town.
In episode two of the documentary, Melissa Moylan, a former artist representative for Pearlman, discusses Innosense, a girl group he created in the late 1990s. Moylan confirms that Spears was part of the group before leaving to pursue a solo career.
Following Spears’ departure, Innosense continued with members Danay Ferrer, Mandy Ashford, Nikki DeLoach, Veronica Finn, and Amanda Latona. The group was initially conceived as an American counterpart to the Spice Girls, according to a 2002 New York Times Magazine profile of Latona. Latona later left to go solo, replaced by Jenny Morris.
Innosense released their sole album, So Together, in 2000, featuring tracks like “Say No More,” “This Is It,” and “A Hundred Oceans.” Meanwhile, Britney Spears went on to release nine studio albums, receiving eight Grammy nominations and winning one Grammy Award.
The documentary also highlights the challenges faced by Innosense and other artists under Pearlman’s management. DeLoach, a former Mickey Mouse Club member, shared her experience of feeling special amid the boy band boom but also revealed the pressures and warnings she faced regarding her contract with Pearlman.
Despite advice against signing, she proceeded, reflecting on the mixed signs she encountered throughout her career.
In a recent YouTube documentary titled The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story, DeLoach described her relief upon learning of Pearlman’s death in 2016, noting that he had caused significant distress during his management.
Pearlman, who faced serious legal issues including conspiracy and money laundering charges, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2008 and died in federal custody in 2016.
Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam is currently streaming on Netflix, providing a deeper look into the world of 90s pop and the controversial figure behind many of its stars.
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