More On: boy bands
Justin Timberlake Shares Throwback ’NSync Pics For JC Chasez’s Birthday
Why Big Time Rush Fans Are Freaking Out About a Possible Reunion
Celebrity Boy Band Fans! Blake Lively, Selena Gomez, John Cena and More
Jonas Brothers Through the Years
Justin Timberlake ‘Gives Props’ to ‘It’s Gonna Be May’ Meme Creator
Jesse McCartney paid tribute Wednesday to former Dream Street bandmate Chris Trousdale, who died Tuesday at the age of 34 after battling coronavirus. “It pains me to say that an old friend, Chris Trousdale, from my early days in the music industry has passed away due to complications from COVID-19,” McCartney, 33, penned on Instagram. …
Jesse McCartney paid tribute Wednesday to former Dream Street bandmate Chris Trousdale, who died Tuesday at the age of 34 after battling coronavirus.
“It pains me to say that an old friend, Chris Trousdale, from my early days in the music industry has passed away due to complications from COVID-19,” McCartney, 33, penned on Instagram. “Chris had an explosively charming personality with boundless amounts of talent.”
Trousdale joined Dream Street in 1999, teaming up with McCartney and fellow performers Greg Raposo, Matt Ballinger, and Frankie Galasso. Their self-titled album dropped in 2001 and featured the singles, “It Happens Every Time” and “I Say Yeah.”
“We were young kids with budding talent who shared an overwhelming love for music and performing,” McCartney recalled. “Chris, in my opinion, was the most popular among us, who had a way of drawing every eye to what he was doing on stage. As an incredibly trained dancer, he would pick up an entire dance number in a matter of minutes; something that would take the rest of us days. I truly envied him as a performer.”
McCartney also spoke about the bond he and Trousdale forged with their bandmates at the time.
“We were a part of something people never get to experience in an entire lifetime at the tender ages of 12 and 14. Although we were a band for only 3 years, at that age, it felt like a lifetime and we built a real brotherhood,” he shared.
Dream Street split up in 2002 amid legal troubles between the parents of the group’s members and the band’s creators. The singers went their separate ways, with McCartney finding success as a solo artist and an actor. He recently appeared on “The Masked Singer,” and is engaged to girlfriend Katie Peterson.
“In later years, we would grow apart as our lives would take different turns, but I would often reflect on our early days together and think about how exciting it all was,” McCartney said. “My deepest sympathies go out to his mother whom I know cherished him dearly. RIP Chris. I’ll never forget your smile. #DreamStreet #ChrisTrousdale.”
Trousdale went on to make guest appearances in the Disney Channel shows “Shake It Up” and “Austin & Ally.” In 2012, he appeared on NBC’s “The Voice,” but did not make it beyond the blind auditions.
He previously collaborated with the girl group Play on the single, “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” and later worked with band member Anna Sundstrand on the 2009 duet “If Only.” She too posted a touching message about Trousdale on her Instagram story.
“The first time I saw you on stage I was amazed and inspired by your talent,” Sundstrand, 31, wrote. “Together we danced, sang and became very good friends. R.I.P. my friend and thank you for all the good times.”
Trousdale died Tuesday at a Burbank hospital due to coronavirus complications, TMZ reported Wednesday, citing a family member.
