Lance Bass: “The Entertainment Industry Saved My Life”
In a candid chat with Us Weekly, Lance Bass opened up about how different his life could have been if he hadn’t joined the iconic boy band ‘NSync. Bass, now 45, shared insights into his life journey and how it might have unfolded had he not auditioned for the group at 16.
A Lawyer in Mississippi?
Bass imagines an alternate reality where he stayed in Mississippi, married his high school girlfriend, and pursued a career as a lawyer. This path seemed plausible before his big break with ‘NSync. At the time, Bass was vice president of his junior class and preparing for his homecoming dance. His mother initially dismissed the idea of him auditioning for the band, even hanging up on a call from Justin Timberlake and manager Lou Pearlman. Thankfully, they called back, and she eventually agreed.
Reflecting on his decision to join ‘NSync, Bass recalls the pivotal moment when he sang The Star-Spangled Banner with the group in Orlando. This experience marked the start of a new chapter in his life. The band’s debut album in 1997 coincided with the boy band craze of the 1990s, providing Bass with a platform to embrace his true self. He credits this period with helping him come out in 2006.
“Entertainment Saved Me”
Bass acknowledges that being part of the entertainment industry allowed him to be authentic and free. He often wonders how long it would have taken him to discover his true identity if he had stayed in Mississippi. “I think entertainment saved me,” he said. “I would be so bored.”
Today, Bass is happily married to Michael Turchin and is a father to twins. He admits that fatherhood brings significant changes but emphasizes that adapting can be rewarding. “As our family is still adjusting to being dads to twins, I know that adapting to a new set of circumstances can be scary but ultimately so rewarding,” he shared.
