Lance Bass out as gay four years after NSYNC went on hiat

Contents:

• DANIELLE FISHEL REVEALS WHICH NSYNC MEMBER TOLD HER LANCE BASS WAS GAY WHILE THEY WERE DATG
• THE AWKWARD WAY NSYNC'S JOEY FATONE FOUND OUT LANCE BASS WAS GAY
• WHY LANCE BASS WAS TERRIFIED TO E OUT AS GAY TO HIS PARENTS
• WHICH OF THE BOY BANRS NKOTB AND NSYNC ARE GAY?
• LANCE BASS: I'M GAY
• LANCE BASS ‘GOT CALLED GAY EVERY SGLE DAY’ WHILE HE WAS IN *NSYNC
• 'NSYNC'S LANCE BASS REVEALS HE'S GAY: 'I'M NOT ASHAMED ... I DON'T THK IT'S WRONG''I SUPPORT HIM AND WISH HIM ALL THE HAPPS THE WORLD,' JT TIMBERLAKE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MICBY JENNIFER VEYARDJULY 26, 2006/12:53 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY JENNIFER VEYARDJULY 26, 2006 / 12:53 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"'NSYNC'S LANCE BASS REVEALS HE'S GAY: 'I'M NOT ASHAMED ... I DON'T THK IT'S WRONG'","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2006-07-26T16:53:31.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2006-07-26T16:53:31.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"JENNIFER VEYARD","ARTICLESECTN":"MIC"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER YEARS OF SPECULATN, LANCE BASS HAS NFIRMED THE MORS AND TOLD PEOPLE MAGAZE THAT HE IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THG IS, I'M NOT ASHAMED -- THAT'S THE ONE THG I WANT TO SAY," THE 'NSYNC SGER TOLD THE MAG THE ISSUE THAT HS NEWSSTANDS FRIDAY. "I DON'T THK 'S WRONG. I'M NOT VASTATED GOG THROUGH THIS. I'M MORE LIBERATED AND HAPPY THAN I'VE BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE. I'M JT HAPPY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}([ARTICLE ID="1537158"]CLICK TO SEE LANCE ON THE VER OF PEOPLE.[/ARTICLE]){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MORS STARTED DURG 'NSYNC'S HEYDAY (THE GROUP IS CURRENTLY ON HIAT) BUT HEATED UP THE LAST FEW MONTHS AS HE WAS SPOTTED EQUENTLY WH GAY-RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND REALY-TV PERSONALY REICHEN LEHMKUHL, WHO WON THE $1 LN PRIZE ON "THE AMAZG RACE 4" WH HIS FORMER PARTNER CHIP ARNDT. LEHMKUHL HAS SCE APPEARED ON OTHER REALY SHOWS SUCH AS "FEAR FACTOR" AND HOSTED A TALK SHOW ON THE NOW-FUNCT Q {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER TABLOIDS AND GOSSIP S STARTED TRACKG BASS AND LEHMKUHL'S PUBLIC APPEARANC TOGETHER, LEHMKUHL RPOND MID-APRIL BY POSTG ON HIS WEB SE THAT HE LIK TO KEEP HIS PERSONAL LIFE PRIVATE. "AS FOR THE MORS ABOUT ME AND LANCE, PLEASE NTUE TO REMD PEOPLE THAT THGS THAT I DO NOT DISCS ANYMORE, SUCH AS THE PRIVATE AND PERSONAL RELATNSHIPS THAT I HAVE, ARE JT THAT -- PRIVATE -- UNLS I CHOOSE TO OPEN UP WH TAILS TO MY FAY AND CLOSE IENDS FOR REASONS OF SUPPORT AND LOVE," HE WROTE. "I WISH PEOPLE ULD ALLOW THAT PART OF ME FOR, WELL, JT ME AND WHO I CHOOSE TO SHARE MY LIFE WH AND LOVE ... AND TO LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DPE THIS WISH, BASS TOLD PEOPLE THAT THE MORS ABOUT THE TWO BEG A UPLE WERE "REALLY STARTG TO AFFECT MY DAILY LIFE," SO HE CID TO E FORWARD AND NFIRM THAT THEY'RE A "VERY STABLE" RELATNSHIP. "NOW FEELS LIKE 'S ON MY TERMS. I'M AT PEACE WH MY FAY, MY IENDS, MYSELF AND GOD, SO THERE'S NOTHG ELSE THAT I WORRY ABOUT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT ALSO HELPS THAT BASS NO LONGER FEELS PELLED TO HI HIS PRIVATE LIFE TO PROTECT HIS BANDMAT, SCE THE BAND HAS BEEN ON HIAT FOR FOUR YEARS. WHEN 'NSYNC WERE FULL SWG, HE WORRIED THAT G OUT WOULD HURT THE BAND. "I DIDN'T KNOW: COULD THAT BE THE END OF 'NSYNC?" HE TOLD PEOPLE. "SO I HAD THAT WEIGHT ON ME OF, LIKE, 'WOW, IF I EVER LET ANYONE KNOW, 'S BAD.' SO I JT NEVER DID ... I HAD FOUR OTHER GUYS' REERS MY HAND, AND I KNEW THAT IF I EVER ACTED ON OR EVEN SAID [THAT I WAS GAY], WOULD OVERPOWER EVERYTHG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASS SAID HE'S KNOWN THAT HE'S GAY FOR HIS "WHOLE LIFE ... OM CHILDHOOD ON," BUT STGGLED BEE HE KNEW WOULD BE "SOMETHG THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HI MY WHOLE LIFE." BASS HID OM HIS BANDMAT -- WHO SPECTED ANYWAY "BEE WE WERE LIKE BROTHERS," HE SAID, AND THEY WONRED, " 'WHY AREN'T YOU HTG ON WOMEN ALL THE TIME AND ACTG LIKE A ROCK STAR?' BEE I WAS A GOOD CHRISTIAN BOY, THAT'S WHY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEIR SPICNS WERE ALSO PLITED BY THE FACT THAT BASS WAS DATG WOMEN UNTIL HE WAS 22 (HE'S NOW 27). "I'VE FELY, YOU KNOW, BEEN WH WOMEN," BASS SAID. "AND I'VE HAD GREAT RELATNSHIPS WH THEM WHERE I WAS FELY LOVE. IT'S JT I GREW TO A POT WHERE EP SI I KNEW THAT I ULD NEVER TLY HAVE A RELATNSHIP WH A WOMAN. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY EVER SPECTED. IT WAS NEVER BROUGHT UP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HE TOOK YEARS TO REALLY THK ABOUT HOW HE WAS GOG TO TELL EVERYONE," JOEY FATONE TOLD PEOPLE. "I BACK HIM UP 100 PERCENT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I'VE KNOW LANCE FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS," JC CHASEZ TOLD MTV NEWS. "WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH TOGETHER. HE IS FAY AND I SUPPORT HIM UNNDNALLY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FATONE WAS THE FIRST 'NSYNC BANDMATE BASS TOLD ABOUT BEG GAY, AFTER FATONE WALKED ON BASS AND A MALE DATE AT HIS HOE ORLANDO, FLORIDA. FATONE'S RPONSE AT THE TIME? "DU, I DON'T RE," BASS RELLED HIM SAYG. CHRIS KIRKPATRICK FOUND OUT LAST SUMMER AND JC CHASEZ THREE MONTHS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE THE GUTS TO E UP TO YOU AND SAY, 'HEY, ARE YOU GAY?' " BASS SAID. "I'M PRETTY SURE THEY ALL KNEW AND THEY PROBABLY ALL TALKED TO EACH OTHER, BUT THEY HAD THE RPECT TO LET ME TELL THEM. I HAVEN'T HAD THE NVERSATN WH JT [TIMBERLAKE] YET. I KNOW HE KNOWS, BUT I'VE NEVER REALLY SAT HIM DOWN AND SAID ." I WILL BE LLG HIM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"LANCE IS ONE OF MY GREAT IENDS," TIMBERLAKE TOLD MTV NEWS WEDNDAY (JULY 26). "I SUPPORT HIM AND WISH HIM ALL THE HAPPS THE WORLD."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TELLG HIS BANDMAT HAS BEEN EASY, BUT TELLG HIS FAY WAS ANOTHER MATTER. HIS SISTER BEME PALE AND STARTED CRYG WHEN HE TOLD HER, WHILE HIS MOTHER "BROKE DOWN." "THE WORST PART ABOUT WAS MY MOM FOUND OUT NOT OM ME," BASS SAID. "SHE FOUND OUT ON THE INTER, AND THAT'S WHAT JT KILLED ME. ... IT STROYED HER FOR A LTLE B." HIS FATHER, THE MEANTIME, WAS NCERNED ABOUT DISEAS, TELLG LANCE THAT "IT'S MUCH EASIER FOR GAY PEOPLE TO GET AIDS," AND "STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE RELATNSHIPS DON'T LAST. YOU KNOW 'S NOT GOG TO LAST." "I WAS LIKE, 'DAD, WOW!' "{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN BASS' HOMETOWN OF CLTON, MISSISSIPPI, WHERE HIS MOTHER IS A MIDDLE-SCHOOL TEACHER AND HIS FATHER WORKS REAL TATE, BEG GAY IS "NOT LOOKED AT VERY HIGHLY," HE SAID. BUT AS WORRIED AS HE WAS THAT HIS GRANDPARENTS WOULD TAKE EVEN WORSE, HIS MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER, WHO WAS TOLD LAST WEEK, HANDLED "SO WELL," HE SAYS. "SHE WAS LIKE, 'YOU KNOW WHAT? I MAY NOT AGREE WH , BUT I LOVE YOU JT THE SAME AND YOU'RE WELE MY HOE ANYTIME.' "{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR NOW, BASS AND LEHMKUHL ARE "TAKG ONE DAY AT A TIME," SCE THE RELATNSHIP IS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. THEY MET BEE LEHMKUHL WAS BASS' REAL-TATE AGENT, AND THE TWO BEME IENDS, THEN LOVERS. "THIS IS A HUGE TURNG POT MY LIFE AND ALSO HIS LIFE TOO," BASS SAID. EVENTUALLY, BASS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FAY AND HOP TO HAVE HIS OWN KIDS AS WELL AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY OM THIS THAT BEG GAY IS A NORM," BASS SAID. "THAT THE STEREOTYP ARE OUT THE WDOW ... I'VE MET SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT 'S REALLY ENURAGED ME. I LL THEM THE SAGS -- THE STRAIGHT-ACTG GAYS. WE'RE JT NORMAL, TYPIL GUYS. I LOVE TO WATCH FOOTBALL AND DRK BEER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND IF PEOPLE ASK HIM NOW IF HE'S GAY, BASS SAID HE PLANS TO RPOND, "NO, I'M ALSO GAY." MEANG THAT WON'T FE HIM -- JT THE PART OF HIMSELF THAT HE DON'T HAVE TO HI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}[THIS STORY WAS ORIGALLY PUBLISHED AT 1:07 PM E.T. ON 07.26.2006]{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• LANCE BASS SAYS HE HID SEXUALY FOR FEAR OF DOOMG 'NSYNC'S CAREERSGER, WHOSE TOBGRAPHY ME OUT TUDAY, REVEALS HE HAD PEOPLE CLOSE TO HIM SIGN NON-DISCLOSURE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MICBY ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRISOCTOBER 23, 2007/2:49 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRISOCTOBER 23, 2007 / 2:49 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LANCE BASS SAYS HE HID SEXUALY FOR FEAR OF DOOMG 'NSYNC'S CAREER","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-10-23T18:49:40.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-10-23T18:49:40.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRIS","ARTICLESECTN":"MIC"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR YEARS, CLUDG DURG THE HEIGHT OF 'NSYNC'S SUCCS, LANCE BASS LIVED NSTANT FEAR THAT A SECRET HE HAD BEEN SUPPRSG SCE CHILDHOOD WOULD EVENTUALLY E OUT -- AND WH VASTATG RULTS. BASS, WHO LAST YEAR [ARTICLE ID="1537155"]REVEALED HE IS GAY,[/ARTICLE] HAD PREVLY BEEN WORRIED THAT THE NEWS WOULD CRIPPLE HIS REER AND TARNISH 'NSYNC'S SQUEAKY-CLEAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WAS PETRIFIED OF PEOPLE FDG OUT," HE TOLD MTV NEWS' JOHN NORRIS DURG A RECENT TERVIEW. "AT THE TIME, I THOUGHT WOULD BE THE END OF THE WORLD. NOW, HDSIGHT, I WISH I WOULD HAVE E OUT AT THAT TIME, BEE I WOULD'VE LOVED TO SEE WHAT THE REACTN WOULD HAVE BEEN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEE OF HIS FEAR, BASS KEPT HIS SEXUALY PRIVATE. IN FACT, BASS WAS SO TIMORO ABOUT THE WORLD FDG OUT HE WAS GAY THAT HE HAD IENDS, EMPLOYE AND OTHERS CLOSE TO HIM SIGN NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS. BASS SAYS NOT EVEN HIS BT IENDS 'NSYNC KNEW HE WAS GAY, AND THAT HIS DAYS THE CLOSET WERE RIDDLED WH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WAS EMBARRASSED," SAID BASS, WHO IS CURRENTLY ACTG "HAIRSPRAY" ON BROADWAY AS PART OF A SIX-MONTH N. "THE EMBARRASSMENT WASN'T THAT I WAS GAY, WAS THAT, 'I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR THIS LONG, AND I HAVE BEEN HIDG THIS [SECRET] OM YOU.' I FELT LIKE I HAD TO LIE TO MY IENDS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE BAND'S PUBLICISTS, MANAGERS AND RERD LABEL SUGGTED THE MEMBERS NEVER BE SEEN WH WOMEN -- OR, FOR THAT MATTER, WH A CIGARETTE OR BEER THEIR HANDS. BUT NO ONE EVER EXPRSLY ADVISED BASS AGAST G OUT -- THAT'S BEE NO ONE KNEW, HE SAID. NOT LONG AFTER THE BAND'S REER TOOK OFF, HOWEVER, ONE CINT REAFFIRMED BASS' POSN THAT G CLEAN ULD CSH HIS DREAMS, THE SGER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THERE WERE MANY TIM, EARLY OUR REER, WHERE THERE WERE A LOT OF QUTNS ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE'S SEXUALY, SO WHEN YOU'RE TALKG WH THE OTHER GUYS, YOU SEE HOW THEY REALLY REACT," BASS SAID. "ONE TIME, WE QUTNED CHRIS [KIRKPATRICK], BEE HE HAD A GAY IEND, AND THE REACTN WAS WE'D BE DOOMED IF ANYONE KNEW ABOUT . THAT SET STRAIGHT MY HEAD THAT I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT OR TELL ANYONE, AND I WOULD JT HAVE TO HI ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN AS HIS BANDMAT WOULD MAKE THE OCSNAL WISECRACK ABOUT GAY PEOPLE -- "THAT'S JT WHAT GUYS DO TO TABLISH THEIR MASCULY," HE SAID -- BASS KEPT QUIET AND "TRIED TO CUT OFF MY LIFE, THOSE FEELGS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT BASS ALSO SPECTS THERE WERE TIM WHEN HIS BANDMAT MIGHT HAVE WONRED IF HE WERE GAY: "WHEN YOU'RE BT IENDS WH SOMEONE AND YOU DON'T HAVE A GIRLIEND FOR FOUR YEARS, AND YOU'RE NOT SEEN WH ANYONE, YOU SORT OF START FIGURG OUT," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER 'NSYNC WENT ON HIAT BACK 2002, BASS -- WHO HAD BEEN TOLD THE BAND WOULD RETURN TO FORM FOLLOWG JT TIMBERLAKE'S STT AS A SOLO ARTIST -- STILL DIDN'T WANT TO E OUT. BUT LAST SUMMER, FOLLOWG NSIRABLE SPECULATN ABOUT BASS' SEXUALY THANKS TO NUMERO PAPARAZZI SNAPS OF HIM EQUENTG GAY CLUBS AND BARS, HE EMERGED OM THE CLOSET, WH A LTLE HELP OM PEOPLE MAGAZE. NOW BASS FEELS LIBERATED, HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE TALKG ABOUT MY LIFE SUCH TIMATE TAIL WH ANYONE," HE SAID. "SO, WHEN I DID E OUT AND KD OF ACCEPTED , AND SHARED WH THE WORLD, AND SAW HOW [ARTICLE ID="1537282"]GREATLY WAS ACCEPTED,[/ARTICLE] AND HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE RELATG TO THE STORI -- I'D HAVE PEOPLE E UP TO ME, TELLG ME, 'BEE OF WHAT YOU DID, I HAD THE URAGE TO E OUT TO MY FAY' -- WAS SUCH AN ENURAGG EXPERIENCE, I WANTED TO SHARE MY LIFE STORY WH OTHER PEOPLE, TO SEE IF ULD HELP OTHERS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND BASS IS TRYG TO DO JT THAT WH HIS NEW TELL-ALL BOOK, "OUT OF SYNC: A MEMOIR," WHICH H STOR TUDAY (OCTOBER 23). BEYOND CHARTG BASS' RISE TO FAME AS A MEMBER OF 'NSYNC, AS WELL AS THE BAND'S CLE, HIS CHILDHOOD, HIS EXPERIENC TRAG TO BE A SMONT RSIA, THE TOBGRAPHY CHRONICL HIS STGGLE TO KEEP HIS PERSONAL LIFE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IF [I HADN'T E OUT,] I MIGHT STILL BE MISERABLE AND HIDG THGS," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT WHILE BASS IS HAPPY TO BE OUT OF THE CLOSET, THAT DON'T MEAN HE'S GOG TO START OUTG OTHERS, EVEN IF HIS BOOK'S PUBLISHER TRIED TO GET HIM TO DO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I KNOW PLENTY OF PEOPLE THE DTRY THAT ARE THE CLOSET AND NOT WANTG TO SHARE THAT PERSONAL TAIL OF THEIR LIFE," HE EXPLAED. "AND I UNRSTAND THAT. IT'S A VERY SRY THG, PECIALLY WHEN NEW ARTISTS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK, OR ACTORS ARE TAKG STRAIGHT ROL -- YOU'RE AAID THE DIENCE WON'T BUY . THE PUBLISHER AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTED MORE DIRT [ MY BOOK], BEE NTROVERSY SELLS. TO ME, 'S NOT ABOUT SELLG A BOOK -- I JT WANTED TO SHARE MY STORY, WHOUT HURTG ANYONE'S FEELGS OR THROWG ANYONE UNR THE B. THERE'S LOTS OF THGS I ULD FELY SAY, AND POT THE FGER AT PEOPLE, BUT I WANTED THIS TO BE A POSIVE BOOK, AND MY LIFE UP TO NOW HAS BEEN VERY POSIVE. I'M HAPPY WH EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE, AND I DON'T WANT TO PLA ABOUT ANYTHG I'VE EVER DONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE BOOK, BASS ALSO DISCS G OUT TO HIS FAY AND IENDS, AND THE REACTNS THEY HAD TO THE NEWS. IN ONE ANECDOTE, HE RELLS HOW BT IEND JOEY FATONE LEARNED HIS SECRET: HE ATTEND ONE OF BASS' HOE PARTI AND STUMBLED UPON HIS PAL STG A CLOSED ROOM WH HIS BOYIEND STG ACROSS HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HE WALKED , AND WAS LIKE, 'OH, SORRY,' AND WALKED OUT," BASS RELLED. "AND I WAS GOG, 'NO -- 'S OK, JOEY.' HE KNEW OM THAT MOMENT ON -- THAT WAS THE DAY I TOLD HIM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASS SAID HE THKS PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED WHEN THEY READ HIS TOME, WHICH HE SAID ANSWERS A LOT OF QUTNS 'NSYNC FANS HAVE BEEN ASKG HIM FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I FELY THK PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED AT A LOT OF THGS THE BOOK," HE SAID. "NO ONE HAS REALLY SEEN THE TE ME. I THK A LOT OF QUTNS WILL BE ANSWERED TO A LOT OF FANS, BEE I GET A LOT OF QUTNS EVERY DAY. THIS IS MY ANSWER TIME."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASS TOLD MTV NEWS HE HAS A NEW GOAL FOR NEXT YEAR: TO PROVE THAT YOU N BE OPENLY GAY AND STILL HAVE A REER SHOW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"PEOPLE HAVE SAID FOR SO LONG THAT YOU N'T BE SUCCSFUL THIS DTRY AND BE OUT AND GAY, AND I THK THAT'S A BUNCH OF BULL," HE SAID. "IT'S NEVER BEEN TTED BEFORE. BUT I PLAN TO TT NEXT YEAR. I HAVE A SHOW THAT I AM VELOPG, WHICH WILL BE A MIC SHOW BASED AROUND OUT GAY AND BISEXUAL GUYS [WHO WILL E TOGETHER TO FORM A BOY BAND]. I WILL BE STG , AND SHOULD BE FUN. I WANT TO TT THAT THEORY OUT AND DO A CULTURAL EXPERIMENT, TO SEE IF WORKS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• LANCE BASS OUT AS GAY FOUR YEARS AFTER NSYNC WENT ON HIAT
• LANCE BASS REVEALS WHY HE DIDN'T COME OUT AS GAY DURG *NSYNC
• LANCE BASS RELLS THE MOMENT HE CAME OUT AS GAY TO HIS *NSYNC BANDMAT
• THE AWKWARD WAY NSYNC'S JOEY FATONE FOUND OUT LANCE BASS IS GAY

DANIELLE FISHEL REVEALS WHICH NSYNC MEMBER TOLD HER LANCE BASS WAS GAY WHILE THEY WERE DATG

Lance Bass' plan on how he would e out as gay to his 'N Sync band members didn't exactly go acrdg to plan. I have so many gay iends — I don't re.

RS: Did you ever, at any pot, have any spicns that Lance was gay?

Chris Kirkpatrick would say, “You know your boyiend’s gay, right?

THE AWKWARD WAY NSYNC'S JOEY FATONE FOUND OUT LANCE BASS WAS GAY

” She said, “Do you thk there’s any possibily that Lance might be gay?

I don’t thk there’s any possibily that he’s gay. RS: How did that make you feel at the time, the realizatn that he might have been gay, and how did make you feel after he publicly me out 2006?

That followg year, I started hearg om other people that Lance had, some way, let them know that he was gay.

WHY LANCE BASS WAS TERRIFIED TO E OUT AS GAY TO HIS PARENTS

I jt wanted to let you know that I’m gay. I thk wasn’t until a lot later, when I uld read ments on the ter where people were like, “Oh, Danielle turned him gay, ” that thought even entered my md. ” I know that Lance really believed that our relatnship had enough of the quali that uld have lasted, that would have worked, and so I didn’t ever feel like him tellg me he was gay was any sort of reflectn on me.

Jt the way that the whole world perceived gay people kept me the closet, and pecially beg a bs like the mic dtry, which is very homophobic, there was no way I wanted to tell a sgle soul. I thought that I uld live a whole life jt ignorg the fact that I was gay.

WHICH OF THE BOY BANRS NKOTB AND NSYNC ARE GAY?

I grew up a church where you pray the gay away, and you n’t be gay, but the lson you learn is y, you might, might have gay feelgs, but you jt nnot act on .

As long as you don’t act on , that means you’re not gay. My whole teenage life, I knew that was gog to be my path: y, I knew I was gay, but I would be able to hi and supprs bee that’s what I’m supposed to do. She mentned that ocsnally, Chris Kirkpatrick would make jib about your sexualy at the time or ll you her gay boyiend, so were there nversatns about wh the band?

LANCE BASS: I'M GAY

Lance Bass: No, the only time they ever mentned to me anythg gay, was on the set of “It’s Gog To Be Me.

He go, “Are you gay? No, I’m not gay. Wh John, I thk was a ltle easier, pecially the public eye, bee the early Neti, and late Eighti, no one was talkg about people beg gay, really.

So many people have that same prom story where they took their gay boyiend and fally me out. I jt felt like, when this relatnship end, that was gog to a lot of my relatnships bee I didn’t know if they were gog to be like, “Wa, that means he’s gay. He’s a hundred percent gay, ” or, “how uld he be such an asshole?

LANCE BASS ‘GOT CALLED GAY EVERY SGLE DAY’ WHILE HE WAS IN *NSYNC

I thk this generatn don’t want to be lied to, pecially about beg gay. I thk jt people n see through a fake relatnship, pecially when to beg gay, and I thk people would be very disappoted to fd out that you were hidg somethg like that and dog this for publicy. Joey Fatone and Lance Bass brought their stunng athleticism to Battle of the Network Stars, and the two NSYNC stars relled the awkward moment that Fatone found out Bass was gay.

In the 90s was a lot ls easy to be openly gay, pecially while the public eye, but lookg back, Bass might have changed a thg or two sayg, "If I was givg advice to my 16-year-old self, I would say, 'Go ahead and be yourself right now.

' I wish I would have realized that I was gay at such a young age and been able to be fortable wh , to tell everyone, bee my experience wh NSYNC, I thk, would have been pletely different. Asked which member he would never sleep wh, Bass — who me out as gay 2006 and tied the knot wh artist Michael Turch December 2014 a televised weddg ceremony — squirmed before he fally admted, “Who would I not have sex wh? CelebryLGBTQ+ Joy For All“Boy Meets World” Star Danielle Fishel And Lance Bass Jt Reflected On Their Yearlong Romance And Revealed They’re Turng Their Relatnship Into A MovieLance me out as gay four years after NSYNC went on hiat — and six years after he broke Boy Meets World star Danielle Fishel’s on Augt 30, 2022, 4:08 pm.

'NSYNC'S LANCE BASS REVEALS HE'S GAY: 'I'M NOT ASHAMED ... I DON'T THK IT'S WRONG''I SUPPORT HIM AND WISH HIM ALL THE HAPPS THE WORLD,' JT TIMBERLAKE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MICBY JENNIFER VEYARDJULY 26, 2006/12:53 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY JENNIFER VEYARDJULY 26, 2006 / 12:53 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"'NSYNC'S LANCE BASS REVEALS HE'S GAY: 'I'M NOT ASHAMED ... I DON'T THK IT'S WRONG'","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2006-07-26T16:53:31.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2006-07-26T16:53:31.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"JENNIFER VEYARD","ARTICLESECTN":"MIC"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER YEARS OF SPECULATN, LANCE BASS HAS NFIRMED THE MORS AND TOLD PEOPLE MAGAZE THAT HE IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THG IS, I'M NOT ASHAMED -- THAT'S THE ONE THG I WANT TO SAY," THE 'NSYNC SGER TOLD THE MAG THE ISSUE THAT HS NEWSSTANDS FRIDAY. "I DON'T THK 'S WRONG. I'M NOT VASTATED GOG THROUGH THIS. I'M MORE LIBERATED AND HAPPY THAN I'VE BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE. I'M JT HAPPY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}([ARTICLE ID="1537158"]CLICK TO SEE LANCE ON THE VER OF PEOPLE.[/ARTICLE]){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MORS STARTED DURG 'NSYNC'S HEYDAY (THE GROUP IS CURRENTLY ON HIAT) BUT HEATED UP THE LAST FEW MONTHS AS HE WAS SPOTTED EQUENTLY WH GAY-RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND REALY-TV PERSONALY REICHEN LEHMKUHL, WHO WON THE $1 LN PRIZE ON "THE AMAZG RACE 4" WH HIS FORMER PARTNER CHIP ARNDT. LEHMKUHL HAS SCE APPEARED ON OTHER REALY SHOWS SUCH AS "FEAR FACTOR" AND HOSTED A TALK SHOW ON THE NOW-FUNCT Q {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER TABLOIDS AND GOSSIP S STARTED TRACKG BASS AND LEHMKUHL'S PUBLIC APPEARANC TOGETHER, LEHMKUHL RPOND MID-APRIL BY POSTG ON HIS WEB SE THAT HE LIK TO KEEP HIS PERSONAL LIFE PRIVATE. "AS FOR THE MORS ABOUT ME AND LANCE, PLEASE NTUE TO REMD PEOPLE THAT THGS THAT I DO NOT DISCS ANYMORE, SUCH AS THE PRIVATE AND PERSONAL RELATNSHIPS THAT I HAVE, ARE JT THAT -- PRIVATE -- UNLS I CHOOSE TO OPEN UP WH TAILS TO MY FAY AND CLOSE IENDS FOR REASONS OF SUPPORT AND LOVE," HE WROTE. "I WISH PEOPLE ULD ALLOW THAT PART OF ME FOR, WELL, JT ME AND WHO I CHOOSE TO SHARE MY LIFE WH AND LOVE ... AND TO LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DPE THIS WISH, BASS TOLD PEOPLE THAT THE MORS ABOUT THE TWO BEG A UPLE WERE "REALLY STARTG TO AFFECT MY DAILY LIFE," SO HE CID TO E FORWARD AND NFIRM THAT THEY'RE A "VERY STABLE" RELATNSHIP. "NOW FEELS LIKE 'S ON MY TERMS. I'M AT PEACE WH MY FAY, MY IENDS, MYSELF AND GOD, SO THERE'S NOTHG ELSE THAT I WORRY ABOUT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT ALSO HELPS THAT BASS NO LONGER FEELS PELLED TO HI HIS PRIVATE LIFE TO PROTECT HIS BANDMAT, SCE THE BAND HAS BEEN ON HIAT FOR FOUR YEARS. WHEN 'NSYNC WERE FULL SWG, HE WORRIED THAT G OUT WOULD HURT THE BAND. "I DIDN'T KNOW: COULD THAT BE THE END OF 'NSYNC?" HE TOLD PEOPLE. "SO I HAD THAT WEIGHT ON ME OF, LIKE, 'WOW, IF I EVER LET ANYONE KNOW, 'S BAD.' SO I JT NEVER DID ... I HAD FOUR OTHER GUYS' REERS MY HAND, AND I KNEW THAT IF I EVER ACTED ON OR EVEN SAID [THAT I WAS GAY], WOULD OVERPOWER EVERYTHG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASS SAID HE'S KNOWN THAT HE'S GAY FOR HIS "WHOLE LIFE ... OM CHILDHOOD ON," BUT STGGLED BEE HE KNEW WOULD BE "SOMETHG THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HI MY WHOLE LIFE." BASS HID OM HIS BANDMAT -- WHO SPECTED ANYWAY "BEE WE WERE LIKE BROTHERS," HE SAID, AND THEY WONRED, " 'WHY AREN'T YOU HTG ON WOMEN ALL THE TIME AND ACTG LIKE A ROCK STAR?' BEE I WAS A GOOD CHRISTIAN BOY, THAT'S WHY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEIR SPICNS WERE ALSO PLITED BY THE FACT THAT BASS WAS DATG WOMEN UNTIL HE WAS 22 (HE'S NOW 27). "I'VE FELY, YOU KNOW, BEEN WH WOMEN," BASS SAID. "AND I'VE HAD GREAT RELATNSHIPS WH THEM WHERE I WAS FELY LOVE. IT'S JT I GREW TO A POT WHERE EP SI I KNEW THAT I ULD NEVER TLY HAVE A RELATNSHIP WH A WOMAN. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY EVER SPECTED. IT WAS NEVER BROUGHT UP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HE TOOK YEARS TO REALLY THK ABOUT HOW HE WAS GOG TO TELL EVERYONE," JOEY FATONE TOLD PEOPLE. "I BACK HIM UP 100 PERCENT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I'VE KNOW LANCE FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS," JC CHASEZ TOLD MTV NEWS. "WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH TOGETHER. HE IS FAY AND I SUPPORT HIM UNNDNALLY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FATONE WAS THE FIRST 'NSYNC BANDMATE BASS TOLD ABOUT BEG GAY, AFTER FATONE WALKED ON BASS AND A MALE DATE AT HIS HOE ORLANDO, FLORIDA. FATONE'S RPONSE AT THE TIME? "DU, I DON'T RE," BASS RELLED HIM SAYG. CHRIS KIRKPATRICK FOUND OUT LAST SUMMER AND JC CHASEZ THREE MONTHS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE THE GUTS TO E UP TO YOU AND SAY, 'HEY, ARE YOU GAY?' " BASS SAID. "I'M PRETTY SURE THEY ALL KNEW AND THEY PROBABLY ALL TALKED TO EACH OTHER, BUT THEY HAD THE RPECT TO LET ME TELL THEM. I HAVEN'T HAD THE NVERSATN WH JT [TIMBERLAKE] YET. I KNOW HE KNOWS, BUT I'VE NEVER REALLY SAT HIM DOWN AND SAID ." I WILL BE LLG HIM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"LANCE IS ONE OF MY GREAT IENDS," TIMBERLAKE TOLD MTV NEWS WEDNDAY (JULY 26). "I SUPPORT HIM AND WISH HIM ALL THE HAPPS THE WORLD."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TELLG HIS BANDMAT HAS BEEN EASY, BUT TELLG HIS FAY WAS ANOTHER MATTER. HIS SISTER BEME PALE AND STARTED CRYG WHEN HE TOLD HER, WHILE HIS MOTHER "BROKE DOWN." "THE WORST PART ABOUT WAS MY MOM FOUND OUT NOT OM ME," BASS SAID. "SHE FOUND OUT ON THE INTER, AND THAT'S WHAT JT KILLED ME. ... IT STROYED HER FOR A LTLE B." HIS FATHER, THE MEANTIME, WAS NCERNED ABOUT DISEAS, TELLG LANCE THAT "IT'S MUCH EASIER FOR GAY PEOPLE TO GET AIDS," AND "STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE RELATNSHIPS DON'T LAST. YOU KNOW 'S NOT GOG TO LAST." "I WAS LIKE, 'DAD, WOW!' "{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN BASS' HOMETOWN OF CLTON, MISSISSIPPI, WHERE HIS MOTHER IS A MIDDLE-SCHOOL TEACHER AND HIS FATHER WORKS REAL TATE, BEG GAY IS "NOT LOOKED AT VERY HIGHLY," HE SAID. BUT AS WORRIED AS HE WAS THAT HIS GRANDPARENTS WOULD TAKE EVEN WORSE, HIS MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER, WHO WAS TOLD LAST WEEK, HANDLED "SO WELL," HE SAYS. "SHE WAS LIKE, 'YOU KNOW WHAT? I MAY NOT AGREE WH , BUT I LOVE YOU JT THE SAME AND YOU'RE WELE MY HOE ANYTIME.' "{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR NOW, BASS AND LEHMKUHL ARE "TAKG ONE DAY AT A TIME," SCE THE RELATNSHIP IS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. THEY MET BEE LEHMKUHL WAS BASS' REAL-TATE AGENT, AND THE TWO BEME IENDS, THEN LOVERS. "THIS IS A HUGE TURNG POT MY LIFE AND ALSO HIS LIFE TOO," BASS SAID. EVENTUALLY, BASS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FAY AND HOP TO HAVE HIS OWN KIDS AS WELL AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY OM THIS THAT BEG GAY IS A NORM," BASS SAID. "THAT THE STEREOTYP ARE OUT THE WDOW ... I'VE MET SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT 'S REALLY ENURAGED ME. I LL THEM THE SAGS -- THE STRAIGHT-ACTG GAYS. WE'RE JT NORMAL, TYPIL GUYS. I LOVE TO WATCH FOOTBALL AND DRK BEER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND IF PEOPLE ASK HIM NOW IF HE'S GAY, BASS SAID HE PLANS TO RPOND, "NO, I'M ALSO GAY." MEANG THAT WON'T FE HIM -- JT THE PART OF HIMSELF THAT HE DON'T HAVE TO HI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}[THIS STORY WAS ORIGALLY PUBLISHED AT 1:07 PM E.T. ON 07.26.2006]{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Lance ntued to exclively date women until he was 22 years old, but 2006 — four years after NSYNC went on a hiat — Lance me out as gay a ver story for People magaze.

His cisn to open up about his sexualy me amid mountg speculatn, wh Lance beg pictured at gay bars and clubs by the paparazzi the weeks leadg up to to the terview.

The sger admted that he didn’t thk that he would ever be able to “act on beg gay, ” and that his management and rerd label lay down the law on what he uld and uldn’t say and do public.

LANCE BASS SAYS HE HID SEXUALY FOR FEAR OF DOOMG 'NSYNC'S CAREERSGER, WHOSE TOBGRAPHY ME OUT TUDAY, REVEALS HE HAD PEOPLE CLOSE TO HIM SIGN NON-DISCLOSURE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MICBY ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRISOCTOBER 23, 2007/2:49 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRISOCTOBER 23, 2007 / 2:49 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LANCE BASS SAYS HE HID SEXUALY FOR FEAR OF DOOMG 'NSYNC'S CAREER","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-10-23T18:49:40.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-10-23T18:49:40.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRIS","ARTICLESECTN":"MIC"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR YEARS, CLUDG DURG THE HEIGHT OF 'NSYNC'S SUCCS, LANCE BASS LIVED NSTANT FEAR THAT A SECRET HE HAD BEEN SUPPRSG SCE CHILDHOOD WOULD EVENTUALLY E OUT -- AND WH VASTATG RULTS. BASS, WHO LAST YEAR [ARTICLE ID="1537155"]REVEALED HE IS GAY,[/ARTICLE] HAD PREVLY BEEN WORRIED THAT THE NEWS WOULD CRIPPLE HIS REER AND TARNISH 'NSYNC'S SQUEAKY-CLEAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WAS PETRIFIED OF PEOPLE FDG OUT," HE TOLD MTV NEWS' JOHN NORRIS DURG A RECENT TERVIEW. "AT THE TIME, I THOUGHT WOULD BE THE END OF THE WORLD. NOW, HDSIGHT, I WISH I WOULD HAVE E OUT AT THAT TIME, BEE I WOULD'VE LOVED TO SEE WHAT THE REACTN WOULD HAVE BEEN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEE OF HIS FEAR, BASS KEPT HIS SEXUALY PRIVATE. IN FACT, BASS WAS SO TIMORO ABOUT THE WORLD FDG OUT HE WAS GAY THAT HE HAD IENDS, EMPLOYE AND OTHERS CLOSE TO HIM SIGN NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS. BASS SAYS NOT EVEN HIS BT IENDS 'NSYNC KNEW HE WAS GAY, AND THAT HIS DAYS THE CLOSET WERE RIDDLED WH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WAS EMBARRASSED," SAID BASS, WHO IS CURRENTLY ACTG "HAIRSPRAY" ON BROADWAY AS PART OF A SIX-MONTH N. "THE EMBARRASSMENT WASN'T THAT I WAS GAY, WAS THAT, 'I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR THIS LONG, AND I HAVE BEEN HIDG THIS [SECRET] OM YOU.' I FELT LIKE I HAD TO LIE TO MY IENDS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE BAND'S PUBLICISTS, MANAGERS AND RERD LABEL SUGGTED THE MEMBERS NEVER BE SEEN WH WOMEN -- OR, FOR THAT MATTER, WH A CIGARETTE OR BEER THEIR HANDS. BUT NO ONE EVER EXPRSLY ADVISED BASS AGAST G OUT -- THAT'S BEE NO ONE KNEW, HE SAID. NOT LONG AFTER THE BAND'S REER TOOK OFF, HOWEVER, ONE CINT REAFFIRMED BASS' POSN THAT G CLEAN ULD CSH HIS DREAMS, THE SGER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THERE WERE MANY TIM, EARLY OUR REER, WHERE THERE WERE A LOT OF QUTNS ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE'S SEXUALY, SO WHEN YOU'RE TALKG WH THE OTHER GUYS, YOU SEE HOW THEY REALLY REACT," BASS SAID. "ONE TIME, WE QUTNED CHRIS [KIRKPATRICK], BEE HE HAD A GAY IEND, AND THE REACTN WAS WE'D BE DOOMED IF ANYONE KNEW ABOUT . THAT SET STRAIGHT MY HEAD THAT I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT OR TELL ANYONE, AND I WOULD JT HAVE TO HI ."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN AS HIS BANDMAT WOULD MAKE THE OCSNAL WISECRACK ABOUT GAY PEOPLE -- "THAT'S JT WHAT GUYS DO TO TABLISH THEIR MASCULY," HE SAID -- BASS KEPT QUIET AND "TRIED TO CUT OFF MY LIFE, THOSE FEELGS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT BASS ALSO SPECTS THERE WERE TIM WHEN HIS BANDMAT MIGHT HAVE WONRED IF HE WERE GAY: "WHEN YOU'RE BT IENDS WH SOMEONE AND YOU DON'T HAVE A GIRLIEND FOR FOUR YEARS, AND YOU'RE NOT SEEN WH ANYONE, YOU SORT OF START FIGURG OUT," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER 'NSYNC WENT ON HIAT BACK 2002, BASS -- WHO HAD BEEN TOLD THE BAND WOULD RETURN TO FORM FOLLOWG JT TIMBERLAKE'S STT AS A SOLO ARTIST -- STILL DIDN'T WANT TO E OUT. BUT LAST SUMMER, FOLLOWG NSIRABLE SPECULATN ABOUT BASS' SEXUALY THANKS TO NUMERO PAPARAZZI SNAPS OF HIM EQUENTG GAY CLUBS AND BARS, HE EMERGED OM THE CLOSET, WH A LTLE HELP OM PEOPLE MAGAZE. NOW BASS FEELS LIBERATED, HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE TALKG ABOUT MY LIFE SUCH TIMATE TAIL WH ANYONE," HE SAID. "SO, WHEN I DID E OUT AND KD OF ACCEPTED , AND SHARED WH THE WORLD, AND SAW HOW [ARTICLE ID="1537282"]GREATLY WAS ACCEPTED,[/ARTICLE] AND HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE RELATG TO THE STORI -- I'D HAVE PEOPLE E UP TO ME, TELLG ME, 'BEE OF WHAT YOU DID, I HAD THE URAGE TO E OUT TO MY FAY' -- WAS SUCH AN ENURAGG EXPERIENCE, I WANTED TO SHARE MY LIFE STORY WH OTHER PEOPLE, TO SEE IF ULD HELP OTHERS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND BASS IS TRYG TO DO JT THAT WH HIS NEW TELL-ALL BOOK, "OUT OF SYNC: A MEMOIR," WHICH H STOR TUDAY (OCTOBER 23). BEYOND CHARTG BASS' RISE TO FAME AS A MEMBER OF 'NSYNC, AS WELL AS THE BAND'S CLE, HIS CHILDHOOD, HIS EXPERIENC TRAG TO BE A SMONT RSIA, THE TOBGRAPHY CHRONICL HIS STGGLE TO KEEP HIS PERSONAL LIFE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"IF [I HADN'T E OUT,] I MIGHT STILL BE MISERABLE AND HIDG THGS," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT WHILE BASS IS HAPPY TO BE OUT OF THE CLOSET, THAT DON'T MEAN HE'S GOG TO START OUTG OTHERS, EVEN IF HIS BOOK'S PUBLISHER TRIED TO GET HIM TO DO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I KNOW PLENTY OF PEOPLE THE DTRY THAT ARE THE CLOSET AND NOT WANTG TO SHARE THAT PERSONAL TAIL OF THEIR LIFE," HE EXPLAED. "AND I UNRSTAND THAT. IT'S A VERY SRY THG, PECIALLY WHEN NEW ARTISTS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK, OR ACTORS ARE TAKG STRAIGHT ROL -- YOU'RE AAID THE DIENCE WON'T BUY . THE PUBLISHER AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTED MORE DIRT [ MY BOOK], BEE NTROVERSY SELLS. TO ME, 'S NOT ABOUT SELLG A BOOK -- I JT WANTED TO SHARE MY STORY, WHOUT HURTG ANYONE'S FEELGS OR THROWG ANYONE UNR THE B. THERE'S LOTS OF THGS I ULD FELY SAY, AND POT THE FGER AT PEOPLE, BUT I WANTED THIS TO BE A POSIVE BOOK, AND MY LIFE UP TO NOW HAS BEEN VERY POSIVE. I'M HAPPY WH EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE, AND I DON'T WANT TO PLA ABOUT ANYTHG I'VE EVER DONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE BOOK, BASS ALSO DISCS G OUT TO HIS FAY AND IENDS, AND THE REACTNS THEY HAD TO THE NEWS. IN ONE ANECDOTE, HE RELLS HOW BT IEND JOEY FATONE LEARNED HIS SECRET: HE ATTEND ONE OF BASS' HOE PARTI AND STUMBLED UPON HIS PAL STG A CLOSED ROOM WH HIS BOYIEND STG ACROSS HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HE WALKED , AND WAS LIKE, 'OH, SORRY,' AND WALKED OUT," BASS RELLED. "AND I WAS GOG, 'NO -- 'S OK, JOEY.' HE KNEW OM THAT MOMENT ON -- THAT WAS THE DAY I TOLD HIM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASS SAID HE THKS PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED WHEN THEY READ HIS TOME, WHICH HE SAID ANSWERS A LOT OF QUTNS 'NSYNC FANS HAVE BEEN ASKG HIM FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I FELY THK PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED AT A LOT OF THGS THE BOOK," HE SAID. "NO ONE HAS REALLY SEEN THE TE ME. I THK A LOT OF QUTNS WILL BE ANSWERED TO A LOT OF FANS, BEE I GET A LOT OF QUTNS EVERY DAY. THIS IS MY ANSWER TIME."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASS TOLD MTV NEWS HE HAS A NEW GOAL FOR NEXT YEAR: TO PROVE THAT YOU N BE OPENLY GAY AND STILL HAVE A REER SHOW {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"PEOPLE HAVE SAID FOR SO LONG THAT YOU N'T BE SUCCSFUL THIS DTRY AND BE OUT AND GAY, AND I THK THAT'S A BUNCH OF BULL," HE SAID. "IT'S NEVER BEEN TTED BEFORE. BUT I PLAN TO TT NEXT YEAR. I HAVE A SHOW THAT I AM VELOPG, WHICH WILL BE A MIC SHOW BASED AROUND OUT GAY AND BISEXUAL GUYS [WHO WILL E TOGETHER TO FORM A BOY BAND]. I WILL BE STG , AND SHOULD BE FUN. I WANT TO TT THAT THEORY OUT AND DO A CULTURAL EXPERIMENT, TO SEE IF WORKS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Discsg the breakdown of Lance’s relatnship wh Danielle, her podst host Will Friedle asked: “When you broke up wh her, had you told yourself yet that you were gay?

LANCE BASS OUT AS GAY FOUR YEARS AFTER NSYNC WENT ON HIAT

I had realized that y, I wasn’t to girls, but also — my head — there was no way I would ever act on beg gay.

LANCE BASS REVEALS WHY HE DIDN'T COME OUT AS GAY DURG *NSYNC

“They’d disguise a way … If they knew that I was gay, then they wouldn’t say, ‘Hey, if you’re gay, don’t e out. “So I knew beg out gay was fely not gonna be [an optn. Durg the chat, Danielle revealed that several people — cludg her mother — had speculated about Lance’s sexualy after he dumped her, but bee beg gay was a much more taboo topic back the '90s, she didn’t believe them.

“Other people said to me, ‘Danielle, Lance is gay, ’ before Lance did and were really tryg to tell me, like, If you n’t see , that’s what’s gog on, and was such a thg back then, Lance was so private about and… You were forced to be the closet, ” she shared.

LANCE BASS RELLS THE MOMENT HE CAME OUT AS GAY TO HIS *NSYNC BANDMAT

“Even for me, someone sayg to me, ‘It’s actually that he’s gay, ’ I was like, ‘Well, no, that’s not possible, ’ bee wasn’t as accepted, wasn’t as mon, was like everyone was sayg that [so I’d] thk ’s not me. It didn’t matter that Lance was gay and that I was not gog to end up marryg him, we have mataed a iendship through all the years. Lance Bass remembers tryg to "pray the gay away" as a 5-year-old boy growg up a small Mississippi town.

“I was tght that homosexualy is a s and you have to fix .

THE AWKWARD WAY NSYNC'S JOEY FATONE FOUND OUT LANCE BASS IS GAY

You hear so many horror stori — pecially the south — of fai rejectg their gay kids.