The ‘Boy Band’ Cast Is A ‘90s Kid’s Dream Come True

Earlier this year, ABC revealed that a very special singing competition series titled Boy Band was in the works. I hoped, pleaded, and prayed to the pop deities above that the judging panel would contain five seats, and that those five seats would go to the Boys of Backstreet. Oh, I also hoped former Total Request Live emcee Vanessa Lachey would host the show. And what do you know? Part of my dream came true: As The Hollywood Reporter reported, ABC revealed at the network’s upfront event on Tuesday that Nick Carter, Emma Bunton, and Rita Ora joined Boy Band's roster. According to THR, Carter and Bunton will be “‘architects,’ i.e. experts who will guide contestants throughout their journey to stardom.” Ora will host the series.

Now, I know this isn’t the same as all five Backstreet Boys judging hopeful boy banders, but one Backstreet Boy is pretty great. And one of the five Spice Girls is on the show, too? A Spice Girl and a Backstreet Boy? Be still my late '90s/early '00s pop-loving heart. You have me in the palm of your hand, Boy Band.

Unlike Lachey, Ora didn’t host TRL back in the ‘00s. However, she did host the first season of the America’s Next Top Model revival. And like TRL, ANTM is an iconic television program that ruled the ‘00s. (Oh, ANTM ruled the ‘10s, too.) The aughts nostalgia is alive and well. What I’m getting at: Ora is an aces pick.

Anyway, according to THR, Boy Band will follow the journeys of male vocalists who are in the running towards becoming America’s next top boy bander. Each episode, architects Carter and Bunton will assemble the contestants into groups, evaluate the contestants’ live performances, and put contestants up for elimination. Oh, and viewers will get to vote for who they want to save. And by the final episode, a new five-piece boy band will be born. The series will premiere on June 22.

Oops, I almost forgot: All five Backstreet Boys performed at the upfront presentation.

Boy Band is already off to a perfect start.