Wednesday July 26, 2006
Filmmagic
Lance Bass, 27, former 'N Sync band member and almost astronaut, says he's gay and in a "very stable" relationship with Amazing Race winner Reichen Lehmkuhl, the Associated Press reports. Bass confesses that he kept his sexuality a secret because he didn't want to negatively impact the group's popularity.
"I knew that I was in this popular band and I had four other guys' careers in my hand, and I knew that if I ever acted on it or even said (that I was gay), it would overpower everything," he says.
Before 'N Sync broke up in 2002, Bass and fellow band members Joey Fatone, Justin Timberlake, Chris Kirkpatrick, and JC Chasez topped charts with hits like "Bye, Bye, Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me." The group's first three albums sold over 30 million copies combined. Bass and Fatone, 29 (who was the first band member Bass came out to), are creating a sitcom pilot based on the The Odd Couple, in which Bass' character will be homosexual.
"The thing is, I'm not ashamed” that's the one thing I want to say," Bass says. "I don't think it's wrong, I'm not devastated going through this. I'm more liberated and happy than I've been my whole life. I'm just happy."
"The main reason I wanted to speak my mind was that (the rumors) really were starting to affect my daily life. Now it feels like it's on my terms. I'm at peace with my family, my friends, myself and God, so there's really nothing else that I worry about."
Talk to Us: Do you think Bass' confession would have negatively affected 'N Sync's popularity or increased their fan base?
