NEW YORK -
Lance Bass, band member of 'N Sync, says he's gay and in a "very stable" relationship with a reality show star. Bass, who formed 'N Sync with
Justin Timberlake,
JC Chasez,
Joey Fatone and
Chris Kirkpatrick, tells People magazine that he didn't earlier disclose his sexuality because he didn't want to affect the group's popularity.
ADVERTISEMENT

"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 tells the magazine.

'N Sync is known for a string of hits including "Bye Bye Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me." The band went on hiatus in 2002. Bass has also found headlines for undertaking astronaut training and failing to raise money for a trip into space.

Bass says he wondered if his coming out could prompt "the end of 'N Sync." He explains, "So I had that weight on me of like, `Wow, if I ever let anyone know, it's bad.' So I just never did."

The singer says he's in a "very stable" relationship with 32-year-old actor Reichen Lehmkuhl, winner of season four of CBS' "Amazing Race."

Bass and Fatone, 29, are developing a sitcom pilot inspired by the screwball comedy "The Odd Couple," in which his character will be gay.

"The thing is, I'm not ashamed — that's the one thing I went 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."

***Why do gay men get all the cute guys??? If Keanu Reeves ever confirms the David Geffen rumors, I will be crushed!!!! Although, in fairness, while having gorgeous eyes and a shining smile...my gaydar always wondered a bit about Lance Bass.

On the other hand… my adorable 17 year old figuring himself out friend… will be THRILLED @ this news 8•P

... "`Wow, if I ever let anyone know, it's bad.' So I just never did."

English Teachers all over America are crying as well

Gee, a member of a boy band gay???

Actually I'm more shocked that all the others didn't come out at the same time :-)

Naw... Justin Timberlake is secure, especially after he disrobed Miss Jackson.. oh yeah... sorry.. it was a "costume malfunction". :oP

Jenn... if you don't want Keanu, I'll take him off your hands. really, I will. While you are at it, you can toss Collin Farrel and Vin Diesel my way too. :oP

Wow Curt, that would make you a major ho-bag!!! I'd hate to ruin your rep by giving you Keanu, Collin, and Vin...nah couldn't let people call you a slut...just couldn't allow it. I mean, people can be so nasty if you have 3 hunky men escorting you...nah, you are allowed only one whirlwind romance at a time. It really is for the good of your rep.

=D

You can have Collin...even Vin (although I need a good grope first off his tight tush) but Keanu is all mine baby!!!

give him MacCauley Caulkin

oh man...i saw him in all of the two minutes i watched of 'party animal'...he's a mess

No surprise about this announcement, and I agree with Sam. I wonder which one of the Backstreet Boys will come out now that N'Sync opened the door?

Hey, the more, the merrier, as they say.

Actually, I'm waiting for the O-Town announcements.

lol i kinda always knew he was. he just had a look to him.
though. i kinda also thought most of the backstreet boys were also lol.
and o-town. idk them xD lol.

and lol. curt wants em all lol xD

See, that's just my luck...guys with gorgeous smiles, and dreamy eyes always end up married or gay. You should see my friends BF. He is like a Calvin Klein model...all 6 packed out, chiseled feeatures, nice tush...gay men have all the luck.

MacCauley Caulkin!?!?!

*cough, cough, gag*

NO... you can keep him... *shudder*

Well if you men and women could pick the most likely gay stars.......who would it be?

I say : John Malkovitch and hmmm, I'll think of a chick later.

All the good looking ones... ;-)

Some of the best looking guys who take the best care of themselves are often gay. Nice hair great clothes and always smell great. It drives my girlfriends nuts, because they have super crushes and then find out that "he's not their type".

that clown that sang "stroke me', billy squier...i saw the video of that song, or one of his others..on an mtv special, 25 videos that suck..or something like that..he was a better jennifer beals than jennifer beals was (flashdance)

The name Backstreet Boys should have told you something. I wonder how many girls will now feel even more challenged to " straighten him out?"

If someone is gay, that is fine with me. What bothers me is that if he were a regular guy no one would care. Parents now will wonder if more kids will be curious. He is a talented artist regardless of his sexual preferences. For those pre-teen and teen girls, there are plenty of other hunks out there. Go buy a copy of Teen Magazine and you will find them. I personally like the rugged lumber jack looking manly men....although they dont know much about decorating and floral arrangements.

so...have a manly man hetero guy build you a house, and a gay guy decorate it, perhaps..?