Photo: Getty Images
Lance Bass is opening up about his heartbreaking journey of coming to terms with his sexuality and how coming out as a gay man in the mid 2000s impacted his career.
On a recent episode of the Politickin' podcast with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and co-host Doug Hendrickson, Bass shared what it was like growing up closeted, knowing since he was a child that he was gay but feeling like he had to hide his identity because it could pose a danger, per People.
"I mean, I knew I was gay since I was, you know, 5 years old," he said. "But also knew at a young age that was something I was going to have to hide my whole entire life because, you know, it was dangerous, especially growing up in a state like Mississippi where there's not one gay person, not one out person at all, because it again was dangerous."
His fears were compounded by his religious upbringing, taught that being gay was "caused by the devil," and hearing stories about people being murdered for their sexuality.
"As a very religious person growing up, you know, I wanted to do everything I could not to go burn in hell," he said. "I would cry like every night. You know, I would pray, 'Please wake up not being gay. Please wake up being attracted to girls.' Which is a sad thing to put on a little kid."
The *NSYNC member eventually came out in 2006 despite others taking a similar path and having their career negatively impacted.
"It was a crazy scary situation because all the examples I've ever had of anyone coming out, especially in entertainment, was that it's a career killer," he said. Even with the public response being fairly positive, Bass said that he experienced much of the same. "The career definitely changed, and they were right about that. Like, it was definitely a career killer."
Bass also claimed that coming out impacted his focus on acting following *NSYNC's hiatus, saying he lost out on roles because he was "too famous for being gay now that they can't look at [him] as anything other than that."
As the years went on and society became more accepting, Bass said casting directors who had previously rejected him have admitted that their past beliefs were "really dumb" and have even hired him for projects. He is also encouraged by other out artists living their truth.
"I love being able to turn on the radio and hear so many LGBTQIA artists, incredible actors," he said. "I mean, it's actually a good thing to be yourself these days. I think if you're kind of hiding yourself and you're closeted, that it's harder to have a career in this business."
Bass is happily married to his husband Michael Turchin since 2014, and they share 3-year-old twins Violet and Alexander. In October, he shared an adorable look at his kids' birthday party.