Lance Bass Says His CW Pilot Was Killed After He Came Out, Was Told ‘They Have to Believe That You’re Straight to Play a Straight Character’

As I reflect upon Lance Bass‘s illustrious journey, it’s impossible not to admire his resilience and unwavering spirit. His transition from the heights of pop stardom with NSYNC to the challenging waters of Hollywood as an openly gay man is a testament to his courage and determination.

Lance Bass spoke candidly about one challenge in his career following his announcement of being gay in 2006, revealing that the progress on a pilot he was set to film for The CW suddenly stopped.

At the time, I was working on a sitcom with The CW and were preparing to film the pilot when this happened. They said we couldn’t proceed with the show because my sexuality had to be straight for me to play a straight character effectively. Every casting director I knew explained that they couldn’t consider me because of my fame associated with being gay, which made it difficult for them to see me as anything else. As a result, I lost all my projects.

Bass stated that the scenario was incredibly nerve-wracking due to his past experiences showing that revealing one’s sexuality, particularly within the entertainment industry, often leads to a detrimental impact on a person’s career.

After being part of the boy band NSYNC from 1995 to 2002, Bass decided to shift his focus towards acting. His debut in acting was in the romantic comedy “On the Line” back in 2001. Later, in August 2006, he publicly announced his sexual orientation on a cover feature for People magazine. At that time, The CW had recently been established, following the merger of UPN and The WB networks.

Later, Bass disclosed that he encountered challenges in securing work within Hollywood following his coming out. In 2008, he was a participant on Season 7 of “Dancing With the Stars,” and from then until December, he portrayed Corny Collins in the extended stage adaptation of “Hairspray” on Broadway. Last year, Bass joined the other members of NSYNC for a fresh single titled “Better Place.

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2024-12-06 08:16