Ep 11. Lou Pearlman

The episode of ABC 20/20 season 42 titled "Lou Pearlman" takes a deep dive into the life and legacy of the infamous music mogul, who rose to fame and fortune as the mastermind behind some of the biggest boy bands in history, including the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC. However, as the episode reveals, Pearlman's success was built on a foundation of lies, fraud, and deceit, and he left a trail of broken dreams and shattered lives in his wake.

Through a series of interviews with former associates, business partners, and members of his boy bands, as well as archival footage and court documents, the episode paints a vivid picture of Pearlman's rise and fall. We see how he lured young, naive singers with promises of stardom and fortune, only to cheat them out of their earnings, manipulate them into signing restrictive contracts, and in some cases, even engage in sexual abuse.

The episode also delves into Pearlman's financial schemes, including a massive Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of millions of dollars. We learn how he used his fame and connections in the music industry to create a facade of success and legitimacy, even as he was secretly funneling money from one venture to another in a desperate attempt to keep his house of cards from collapsing.

Perhaps most chillingly, the episode explores Pearlman's ultimate downfall, when his web of lies finally caught up with him and he was exposed as a fraud. We see how his victims came forward, one by one, to share their stories and demand justice, leading to Pearlman's eventual arrest and conviction.

Overall, "Lou Pearlman" is a sobering reminder of the dark side of the music industry, and of the dangers of putting too much trust in those who promise us fame and fortune. Through its in-depth reporting and powerful storytelling, the episode forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that even our heroes can have feet of clay.