Chris Kirkpatrick Engaged: NSYNC Member to Wed Karly Skladany

Posted on Oct 25th 2012 3:45PM by Contessa Gayles

Tim Boyles, Getty Images

Just as Justin Timberlake exchanged vows with longtime love Jessica Biel in Italy last week, PEOPLE reports another NSYNC member made a major commitment to his own lady love -- also in Italy! Timberlake's bandmate Chris Kirkpatrick announced he and his marketing rep girlfriend, Karly Skladany, are engaged.

"We had a hotel room at the Isle of Capri, overlooking the Mediterranean," Chirs, 41, tells the magazine of his unplanned proposal. "It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. And it hit me: I wanted to propose to Karly. So I ran to a jewelry store, found the perfect ring and bought it." Talk about seizing the moment!

In his haste, the singer did not forget tradition. He phoned Karly's father from Italy to ask for his blessing, but the call went to voice mail! "He didn't answer his phone, so I left him this message like, 'Um, this is Chris, and I just wanted to talk and ask a few questions.' I was nervous, which was funny. He called right back and, of course, he gave his blessing."

"We were sitting on the balcony with a bottle of champagne and I put the ring in her glass," Chris recounted of how he popped the question later that same day. "I know it sounds cheesy, but it was romantic. As soon as I asked her, she said, 'It's about time!' And we laughed. It was spur of the moment, but it was absolutely perfect."

"We haven't set a date yet, but we will soon," says Chris, who has been keeping busy writing songs for other artists. "We'll figure out exactly how we want our wedding to be. We're both so happy; this is a really good time for us."

The fact that Chris and Karly's trip to Italy was at the exact same time as Justin and Jessica's wedding is pure coincidence. The ex-boy bander says headlines about JT snubbing his NSYNC bandmates by not inviting them to the ceremony are true, but blown way out of proportion.

"He didn't want the wedding to be an NSYNC reunion, and I totally understand that," Kirkpatrick says. "I already had plans to be in Italy anyway. It was just a coincidence that I was there when Justin got married. There's really nothing negative about any of it."

Check Out NSYNC-era Chris in Our "Boy Band Hair Through the Years" Gallery