Lance Bass, the former *NSYNC member, is bravely sharing his deeply personal journey of coming to terms with his sexuality and how it affected his career. In 2006, he embarked on a transformative path that would change his life forever.

"From Closet to Confidence: Lance Bass' Journey of Self-Discovery and Career Rebuilding"

Early Awareness of Sexual Identity

Lance Bass vividly recalls that he knew he was gay as early as 5 years old. Growing up in a state like Mississippi, where homosexuality was considered taboo and even dangerous, he understood from a young age that he had to hide this part of himself. He heard stories of people being murdered because of their sexual orientation and was taught that it was a result of the devil. As a very religious person, he struggled with these conflicting beliefs and would cry every night, praying to wake up not being gay.This internal conflict followed him into his teenage years when he was part of one of the biggest musical acts of the late '90s and early 2000s. Being in a boy band with a largely female audience was a complex situation for him. He described it as "God's little joke" as he was coming of age and dating for the first time, knowing he had to deal with his true self while being in the public eye.

Dealing with Dating and Self-Discovery

During this time, Bass dated women, including Boy Meets World star Danielle Fishel, while still in the closet. He would trick himself into thinking that this was love, but eventually, he realized that it wasn't. One day, he woke up and knew that he couldn't continue living a lie. This realization led him to a turning point in his life.In 2006, Bass came out on the cover of PEOPLE. It was a courageous decision that came with its own set of challenges. He was aware of the negative consequences that often accompany coming out in the entertainment industry, but to his surprise, the public response was largely positive.

Career Consequences and Rebuilding

Coming out did have a significant impact on his career. At the time, *NSYNC was on an indefinite hiatus, and Bass was looking to pivot to acting. He had a sitcom lined up with The CW, but once his sexuality became public, the network decided to pull the plug. Casting directors also shied away from him, fearing that his gay identity would overshadow his acting abilities. He lost everything - agents, opportunities, and was left to start over.However, in the years since, Bass has rekindled relationships with some of those casting directors. They have realized the error of their ways and have actually cast him in many projects since. This shows that times are changing, and there is more acceptance in the entertainment industry.Bass also takes pride in the fact that in recent years, there have been a growing number of out celebrities who have found success. He believes that it is now a good thing to be yourself and that hiding one's true self makes it harder to have a career in this business.In conclusion, Lance Bass' story is a powerful testament to the courage and resilience required to come out and rebuild one's life. His journey serves as an inspiration to others who may be facing similar challenges.