TL;DR
- Lance Bass shares a touching story about coming out to Joey Fatone.
- Fatone was the first NSYNC member to learn Bass’s secret.
- Their friendship showcases unconditional support and love.
- Bass publicly came out in 2006 after years of struggle.
- Fatone expressed his unwavering support for Bass’s journey.
In a delightful throwback to the early 2000s, Lance Bass recently shared a heartwarming story about how his fellow NSYNC bandmate, Joey Fatone, accidentally became the first to learn he was gay. It’s a tale filled with laughter, love, and the kind of friendship that makes you believe in the power of acceptance.
During an interview for Fatone’s upcoming docu-series, Boy Band Confidential, the duo reminisced about a night that would change their friendship forever. Fatone recalled, “We go out one night, we all go back to Lance’s house. I pass out in one of his guest bedrooms. I wake up at, like, 3:00 in the morning. I’m like, ‘Ah, I got to leave.’ I go to his bedroom, open up the door. There’s nobody in there.”
But then, like a scene straight out of a sitcom, Fatone decided to check Bass’s office. What he found was a moment that would become a cherished memory. “I open the door, and he’s sitting there, and there’s a guy straddling on top of him,” Fatone said, clearly still amused by the incident.
Bass chimed in, recalling the moment with a smile, “I was at my computer and my boyfriend at the time – my very, very first boyfriend – was sitting on my lap.” Imagine the surprise! Fatone was understandably taken aback and quickly apologized for barging in, but Bass, ever the supportive friend, encouraged him to stay and chat. “I was like, ‘Surprise!’ He’s like, ‘Oh, please. I don’t care,’” Bass said, reflecting on how comforting it was to hear those words from a bandmate.
What followed was a touching exchange of brotherly love. When Bass asked Fatone to keep his secret, Fatone didn’t hesitate. “I go, ‘Lance, I love you,’” he said. “You’re my brother. You let me know when it’s right for you to tell. I’m not saying nothing to the guys.’” Talk about loyalty!
Fast forward to 2006, when Bass finally decided to come out publicly. He admitted in an interview with People, “I knew that I was in this popular band and I had four other guys’ careers in my hand. I knew that if I ever acted on it or even said [that I was gay], it would overpower everything.” The pressure was immense, but with friends like Fatone, he found the strength to be true to himself.
In the same interview, Fatone expressed his unwavering support for Bass, saying, “He took years to really think about how he was going to tell everyone. I back him up 100 per cent.” This moment is a beautiful reminder of the importance of having supportive friends, especially in the LGBTQ community. It’s not just about coming out; it’s about having people who love you for who you are.
So here’s to Lance Bass and Joey Fatone, two icons who remind us that love and friendship can conquer all. Their story is a testament to the power of acceptance and the beauty of being true to oneself. Let’s celebrate these moments, because they’re what make life truly fabulous!