Bass Says Bye, Bye, Bye To The Closet

'N Sync Heartthrob Tells People Magazine He's Gay

(CBS/AP)  Former 'N Syncer Lance Bass has publicly said that he's gay.

He tells People magazine that he kept his sexuality under wraps during his 'N Sync days because he was afraid it would derail the band's success. He says he knew that if he "ever acted on it" or talked about it publicly, then "it would overpower everything."

"The thing is, I'm not ashamed — that's the one thing I want to say," Bass tells People magazine in its new issue. "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."

Rumors about Bass' homosexuality have been buzzing for months. The New York Post reported earlier this month that Bass, 27, was spotted with "Amazing Race" winner Reichen Lehmkuhl, 32, at a gay bar in Massachusetts.

Truth is, they are in a "very stable" relationship, Bass says.

"The main reason I wanted to speak my mind was that (the rumors) really were starting to affect my daily life," he tells People. "Now it feels like it's on my terms. I'm at peace with my family, my friends, myself and God so there's really nothing else that I worry about."

The decision to come out was a tough one for the former teen heartthrob.

"He took years to really think about how he was going to tell everyone," bandmate Joey Fatone, tells People.

"I knew that I was in this popular band and I had four other guys' careers in my hand," he says. "I didn't know: Could that be the end of 'N Sync? 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 band has been on hiatus since 2002. Since then, Bass has dabbled in acting, producing, and recently appeared as a contestant on CBS' "Game$how Marathon."

People reports that he's currently working on a sitcom pilot with Fatone in which his character will be gay.