Lance Bass on a Life 'Out of Sync'

Oct. 15, 2007 — -- 'N Sync was one of the most successful boy bands in pop music history. Breaking record sales and performing for millions was just the beginning of the story. The music business can be a tough industry, especially when you are young and naïve. But for Lance Bass, the bass singer of the group, the worst thing about being a pop star was the lie it made him live. Now Bass is revealing all in his new memoir, "Out of Sync," and for the first time is speaking publicly about his decision to come out as a gay man.

Bass grew up in Mississippi singing in church choirs and local groups. He was just 16 years old when his mother got a phone call that would change his life. Justin Timberlake's mother was on the other end of that call, inviting Bass to join a new music group. After auditioning for the other members of the band, Bass became the fifth member of 'N Sync. And after struggling for a year, the group hit it big. As the crowds of screaming girls grew and record sales soared, Bass knew he had to keep his secret.

In the spring of 2002 'N Sync went on an extended hiatus, and never got back together as a group. It was a tough reality for Bass to face, as he had believed the group was preparing to get back into the studio. The break up of 'N Sync also marked the end of Lance's secret personal life. Slowly, he began to date and come out to his closest friends. And last year, as tabloid speculation grew about his sexuality, Bass decided to finally tell the truth, coming out on the cover of People magazine.