Lance Bass recently shared a personal story about a TV pilot he missed out on after coming out as gay. The former *NSYNC member revealed on a podcast that, shortly after he publicly acknowledged his sexuality in 2006, an opportunity to star in a CW sitcom fell through.
Bass, now 45, recounted during the “Politickin’” podcast with prominent figures like Gavin Newsom that he felt he faced significant challenges after coming out. He explained that before the pilot was shot, executives decided to cancel it, indicating they couldn’t proceed because they believed he could not convincingly portray a straight character anymore.
According to Bass, he was told by casting directors that he had become “too famous for being gay,” and they could no longer see him in any other light. This unexpected shift forced him to restart and rebrand his career, a daunting task for any artist.
Bass also reflected on his struggle during that period, emphasizing how the experiences of others he knew who came out in the entertainment industry often led to a drastic change in their careers. Despite these challenges, he expressed that he holds no resentment over the situation. He noted that casting directors later acknowledged the mistake and offered him roles since then, highlighting the irony of the circumstances.
Today, Bass is happily married to actor Michael Turchin and is a father of two. While he navigated confusion about his identity and place in the industry after *NSYNC, he’s now moved forward with a positive outlook. He recognizes the evolution in how the industry views LGBTQ+ individuals and the opportunities that have come his way since those early days.
