By Noor Noman, MSNBC | The Neflix documentary series probes the underbelly of unfettered late-stage capitalism and reminds its viewers that it’s built on exploitation and preys on the most vulnerable. Netflix’s limited docuseries “Dirty Pop,” which debuted Wednesday, chronicles how Lou Pearlman, the man who put together the Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync, also put together one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in history. Additionally, the Netflix series documents how the bands were started using dirty money — and how their success subsequently helped Pearlman build a house — really, an empire — of cards, through which he defrauded everyone from elderly couples investing their life savings to the Bank of America.
Pearlman, who in 2008 was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a $300 million Ponzi and bank fraud scheme, died in prison in August 2016 at age 62. He had pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, money laundering and presenting or using a false claim in a bankruptcy proceeding.
The docuseries is a compelling watch, especially for millennials like me whose glee at the never-before-seen footage of the boy bands will likely be followed by the crushing realization that we’re getting old. But it’s a very clever way into a story of financial crimes, which can run the risk of being dry and hard to follow.
“Dirty Pop” uses the rise of the Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync — including interviews with some of its members — to tell a captivating and complicated story of how Pearlman created decadeslong careers and irrevocably shaped the zeitgeist, as he ruined lives at the same time.
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Go here to read more:
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/netflix-dirty-pop-documentary-lou-pearlman-nsync-backstreet-boys-rcna163507
Noor Noman is a freelance journalist in New York City who has worked as a writer, editor, producer and presenter.
Photo: Backstreet Boys
The Undocumented Fraud That Helped Create ‘N Sync and the Back Street Boys
