Lance Bass

I think Lance Bass is a pretty cool dude. Even though I wasn’t a fan of ’N Sync at that time, it had nothing to do with him or their music. I think it was just that I was way past my teeny bopper idol days by the time ‘N Sync came on the scene. I remember thinking Justin Timberlake was very talented and that ‘N Sync was the real deal when I heard them sing The Star Spangled Banner a capella at the winter Olympics in 2002. That was one of the best renditions ever. I thought both ‘N Sync and The Backstreet Boys were cool groups. I just wasn’t into them because I wasn’t 12.

Lance is actually a James. He was born James Lance Bass on May 4, 1979 in Mississippi. Wow. It’s so tough to be gay (though it’s getting easier). Can you imagine how tough it was being gay growing up in the Bible Belt? Lance joined ‘N Sync when he was a junior in high school. I believe he sang bass. That’s funny. His last name is Bass (pronounced like the fish) and he sang bass (pronounced base). Words are dumb. I like numbers better.

Coming Out

Lance came out in 2006. I don’t think many people were surprised. It was kind of along the same lines as when Clay Aiken and George Michael came out. No big surprise. Lance said in People magazine: “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.” That was cool that he was thinking about the other guys, but I suspect he was scared and not ready to come out. The looking out for the other guys thing was maybe a bit of an excuse. I don’t know. I’ve never been gay. Well, I’m usually a pretty happy gal. And I feel pretty and witty.

Lance the Bully

Lance confessed on Larry King to being a bully when he was a teen. He actually made fun of gay kids. I guess that’s the same as me making fun of fat people. (I’m a chubby girl.) He didn’t really make fun of the gay kids but he laughed along with the bullies who were making the jokes.  Lance tweeted the following: “I might not have been a physical bully in school (I was the shortest in my class) but laughing along with the gay jokes and repeating them made me equal to a bully. And for that I’m sorry.”

There have been several gay teens who have committed suicide because of bullying. I think it’s great that Lance stepped up to show his support. I wish the kids who were being bullied knew that things do get better and that karma is a bitch. Most of those people who do the bullying grow up to be losers who you can laugh at when you go to your class reunions. But you shouldn’t laugh because karma is a bitch. Just be happy and kind.

Lance Bass Trivia

• He was the last to join ‘N Sync. Justin Timberlake was the one to call him about the job.
• He dated Danielle Fishel who played Topanga Lawrence on Boy Meets World.
• He tried to get a ride on a Russian space mission.
• Is the godfather of Joey Fatone’s daughter, Brianna.
• As a young boy, he planned to attend college and study engineering and then work for NASA.
• BMG offered a then unknown ‘N Sync a recording contract only if they dumped Bass who they felt couldn’t dance. The rest of the members refused the contract. Good for them!
• He has attention deficit disorder (ADD).
• Lance Bass has been married to his husband, Michael Turchin, since 2014.
• Lance and his husband are in the process of becoming parents. Yay! I think they’ll be wonderful.

 

I became an even bigger Lance Bass fan recently [August 2018] when it was revealed that he bid on The Brady Bunch house that was for sale in Studio City. You all know what a big Brady nerd I am. Check out my Brady blogs here. Anyway, Lance was outbid (cheated) by HGTV who plans to restore the house to its original Brady charm.

Lance Bass came out with his autobiography in 2007 that I have yet to read, but I will. I promise. He also has several acting credits on IMDB as well as producing and directing credits. I loved watching him on Dancing with the Stars back in 2008 and think he did a great job. He has been involved with lots of different charities during his career. He’s a good guy who can do a lot for the young gay community. Lance Bass is not even 40 yet and has done so much. I look forward to his future.