Jesse McCartney has paid tribute to fellow Dream Street alum Chris Trousdale following his untimely death at 34 due to complications of COVID-19.
In a lengthy Instagram post Wednesday, McCartney, 33, reflected on their time together in the boy band formed in 1999.
‘Chris had an explosively charming personality with boundless amounts of talent,’ he shared.
Old friend: Jesse McCartney, pictured performing in 2019, has paid tribute to fellow Dream Street alum Chris Trousdale following his death at 34 due to complications of COVID-19
McCartney went on: ‘We were young kids with budding talent who shared an overwhelming love for music and performing. 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 us days. I truly envied him as a performer.’
The singer went on: ‘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 feels like a lifetime and we built a real brotherhood.’
He added: ‘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… RIP Chris. I’ll never forget your smile.’
Tribute: In an Instagram post Wednesday, McCartney, 33, reflected on their time together and said: ‘Chris had an explosively charming personality with boundless amounts of talent’
Trousdale passed away on Tuesday night at a hospital in Burbank, California, after contracting coronavirus, according to a family member.
He had joined the pop group in 1999 alongside McCartney, Greg Raposo, Matt Ballinger and Frankie Galasso.
He was a teenager when he was scouted from the New York City acting and Broadway scene for the boyband.
Coming after huge boybands including the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, the group did reach some success before breaking up in 2002.
Their eponymous debut album was certified Gold in the US as it peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart and at No. 37 on the Billboard 200.
Tragic: Chris Trousdale, pictured in June 2019, passed away on Tuesday night at a hospital in Burbank, California , after contracting coronavirus, according to a family member
Back in the day: Trousdale (second from right) had joined the group in 1999 alongside Jesse McCartney, Greg Raposo, Matt Ballinger and Frankie Galasso
Fantastic five: Their eponymous debut album was certified Gold in the US as it peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart and at No. 37 on the Billboard 200, they are seen together in New York back in November 2001
Star quality: He was a teenager when he was scouted from the New York City acting and Broadway scene for the boyband, as he is seen in November 2001
Dream Street’s biggest single, titled It Happens Every Time, peaked at No. 48 on the charts.
Their break-up came as parents of the band members sued Louis Baldonieri and Brian Lukow who put the group together.
The parents had alleged that the band members were ‘exposed to booze, women, and pornography’ and ultimately won the case which lead to release of all five members from their contracts.
Split: Their break-up came as parents of the band members sued Louis Baldonieri and Brian Lukow who put the group together, Dream Street are seen in 2002
Following the group disbandment, Trousdale recorded multiple songs for the School’s Out! Christmas Album in 2002.
He then went solo through Disney was even featured artist on hit songs including Play’s I’m Gonna Make You Love Me in addition to Nikki Cleary’s cover of You’re The One That I Want.
Then in 2006, he put his career on hold to move back home to Michigan and take care of his ailing mother.
Gone too soon: In June 2014, he announced via Twitter that he had joined the Spectra Music Group to work on his solo album which never was released
Trousdale later made his return to showbiz on a handful of shows including on Days Of Our Lives, Shake It Up, Austin & Ally and Lucifer.
In June 2014, he announced via Twitter that he had joined the Spectra Music Group to work on his solo album which never was released.
His last post on Instagram shared on Tuesday was a show of solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement just a week after George Floyd was killed by police officers in Minnesota.
Trousdale participated in #BlackOutTuesday and #TheShowMustBePaused as he posted a black box for the social media movement.
‘#theshowmustbepaused’: His last post on Instagram shared on Tuesday was a show of solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement just a week after George Floyd was killed by police officers in Minnesota