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Elisa Donovan Was 'Making Fun' of *NSYNC Before They Guest-Starred on Clueless. Then She Secretly Dated Joey Fatone

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Original Story by People
August 11, 2025
Elisa Donovan Was 'Making Fun' of *NSYNC Before They Guest-Starred on Clueless. Then She Secretly Dated Joey Fatone

Context:

Elisa Donovan, known for her role as Amber in the iconic film and TV series 'Clueless', initially mocked the boy band *NSYNC before they guest-starred on the show, but later found herself dating one of its members, Joey Fatone. Her skepticism quickly turned to admiration once she met them, impressed by their professionalism and talent. Donovan's relationship with Fatone was kept low-profile at the time, though it led to her appearance in the band's music video 'Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)'. She shared these insights on the podcast 'Pod Meets World', where she discussed her experiences with *NSYNC and the overwhelming fan culture surrounding the band. Donovan's story highlights the unexpected turns in her personal life and the lasting impact of her interactions with the famous boy band.

Dive Deeper:

  • Elisa Donovan, who played Amber in 'Clueless', initially made fun of *NSYNC before they appeared on the show's third season, but changed her opinion after meeting them due to their professionalism and talent.

  • Donovan secretly dated Joey Fatone from *NSYNC after they met on the set of 'Clueless', and their relationship remained under the radar during the height of the band's popularity.

  • Her involvement with Fatone led to her appearance in the 1999 music video for *NSYNC's song 'Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)', where she portrayed a girl Fatone's character cheated on.

  • During her time with Fatone, Donovan experienced the intense fan devotion to *NSYNC, likening the frenzy to that of the Beatles, and found the experience both overwhelming and surreal.

  • Danielle Fishel, who co-hosts the 'Pod Meets World' podcast and previously dated Lance Bass from *NSYNC, invited Donovan to share her experiences, leading to revelations about their shared past interactions with the band members.

  • Donovan revealed she was the first girlfriend of an *NSYNC member allowed to be publicly acknowledged, and noted the unique challenges and experiences this brought.

  • The podcast episode provided a platform for Donovan to candidly discuss her past, including her experiences attending concerts and social events with *NSYNC, and how these memories have stayed with her over the years.

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