ORLANDO, FL — NSYNC rehearsals halted when Freddie Mercury materialized in glitter and smoke, announcing he’d audition for their reunion. The late Queen frontman launched into an operatic “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” stretching the three-minute pop hit past six, with baroque harmonies, two key changes, and a falsetto climax that rattled lighting rigs. “We thought it was a hologram glitch,” said Justin Timberlake. “Then he hit notes our backing tracks don’t believe in.” Mercury proposed a 40-piece orchestra and pyrotechnics spelling “NSYNC” in 15-foot flames. “He asked our ‘artistic vision’ and pitched a harmony about the metaphysics of heartbreak,” said Chris Kirkpatrick. He sketched costumes for an “emotional climax sequence,” then replaced choreography with “interpretive emotional expression,” striking operatic poses while belting the chorus in basically three languages. Asked why a boy band, he shrugged: “Darling, I’ve conquered rock, opera, and the afterlife. Pop is next.” The tour is postponed pending management and exorcists. “Blessing or curse?” said Joey Fatone. “Also, he wants ‘Bohemian NSYNC Rhapsody’ in minor keys with a full orchestra.” Mercury vanished, promising a “properly theatrical ‘Bye Bye Bye.’”