"Shocking" announcement from Lance Bass

[Your Mom]

Lance Bass, band member of 'N Sync, says he's gay and in a "very stable" relationship with a reality show star. Bass, who formed 'N Sync with

Justin Timberlake,

JC Chasez,

Joey Fatone and

Chris Kirkpatrick, tells People magazine that he didn't earlier disclose his sexuality because he didn't want to affect the group's popularity.

"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," he tells the magazine.

'N Sync is known for a string of hits including "Bye Bye Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me." The band went on hiatus in 2002. Bass has also found headlines for undertaking astronaut training and failing to raise money for a trip into space.

Bass says he wondered if his coming out could prompt "the end of 'N Sync." He explains, "So I had that weight on me of like, `Wow, if I ever let anyone know, it's bad.' So I just never did."

The singer says he's in a "very stable" relationship with 32-year-old actor Reichen Lehmkuhl, winner of season four of CBS' "Amazing Race."

Bass and Fatone, 29, are developing a sitcom pilot inspired by the screwball comedy "The Odd Couple," in which his character will be gay.

"The thing is, I'm not ashamed — that's the one thing I went to say," Bass says. "I don't think it's wrong, I'm not devastated going through this. I'm more liberated and happy than I've been my whole life. I'm just happy."

I am ever so surprised. No really I totally cant believe it

[fineintent]

Is there a queer in every boyband?

[ROC]

Did anybody ever watch those Mad TV bits with Will Sasso as Lance Bass? That was easily the most entertainment I've seen at his expense.

[Boulder]

He used to date Danielle Fishel, which made me jealous in 1999.

[Toe]

Is it just me, or does there TV show they are working on somehow sound appealing?

[Cactus Drags]

"I knew that I was in this popular band and I had four other guys' careers in my hand"

Edited July 26, 2006 by Dragsy 7-0

[Dr. Rated-R]

Is it just me, or does there TV show they are working on somehow sound appealing?

[Toe]

"I knew that I was in this popular band and I had four other guys' cocks in my hand"

[Cactus Drags]

Too easy.

[Clawson]

So does this make Sephiroth gay in the first Kingdom Hearts?

[King Ellis]

Oh man, this has ruined On The Line for me.

[GoGo Yubari]

"I didn't see it coming at all!" said nobody.

[B-Rad]

I personally am more shocked that he is going with Reichen from Amazing Race 4. That guy goes for some goofy looking dudes, what with the Chip guy he was married to and now Lance?

Maybe I'd have a chance, anyone know if Reichen still had any of the million bucks he won?

[gunnar hendershow]

If this happened 6 years ago I would be making fun of every girl in my school.

Ah well.

[Heel Turn]

He used to date Danielle Fishel, which made me jealous in 1999.

[LL!]

Oh man, this has ruined On The Line for me.

THIS? THIS ruined On The Line for you?

[King Ellis]

Shut up LL, it's a great movie.

[Boulder]

Was On The Line that freaking movie where he played the guy who met the girl on the train and didn't get her name so he had to take out ads? Whether it is or not, they used to advertise that movie on the screens at the Hollywood Video near my house far too frequently.

[Lowerdeck]

Not much of a surprise. We all knew one of them had to be.

[NobBe Nobbs]

Is there a queer in every boyband?