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MTV answers Justin Timberlake's 'Phone'
hollywoodreporter.com
Greenlights show from singer and FremantleMedia
By Kimberly Nordyke
May 9, 2008, 11:58 AM
MTV has greenlighted a reality game show from Justin Timberlake and "American Idol" producers FremantleMedia North America.
"The Phone," based on a Dutch format by Park Lane Prods., pits two contestants in a race against time to accomplish a mission together and win a cash prize. Each episode begins with two strategically hidden cell phones ringing at opposite ends of a major city. Once answered, a mysterious guide gives contestants five seconds to decide whether they wish to play, at which point the competition begins.
"We're turning the reality competition format on its head and plunging the contestants into a real-life 'Bourne Identity' -- not just in the tone and creative but also in terms of the visual style and pacing," said Tony Disanto, executive vp programming and series development at MTV. "Each week will be an action packed mini-movie."
Added FMNA CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz: " 'The Phone' is an exciting, innovative reality game that will make the viewer feel they're part of an espionage thriller that is gripping to the very end."
The show, debuting in the fall, is exec produced by Timberlake, David Schiff and Frot-Coutaz. Maira Suro is the executive overseeing production for MTV.
Comments (0) 05.11.2008. 18:18
Joey Fatone Runs Off with NBC's Celebrity Circus
www.movieweb.com
Monday, April 21st, 2008
NBC released the star lineup for its upcoming Celebrity Circus and has brought in Dancing with the Stars runner-up Joey Fatone to be its ringmaster.
According to Variety, the roster includes several celebrity reality veterans, including Christopher Knight (My Fair Brady) and Rachel Hunter (Dancing with the Stars). Also joining the show are Antonio Sabato Jr., Grammy-nommed neosoul singer Blu Cantrell, Olympic swimmer Janet Evans and Jason "Wee Man" Acuna (Jackass).
Celebrity Circus will follow celebs as they attempt to master a number of circus stunts, including the high wire, flying trapeze and fire dancing. After training, contestants will perform their acts and then face the verdict of judges and viewers.
The show premieres at 9:30 p.m. June 11 with a 90-minute edition.
Comments (0) 05.11.2008. 18:10
www.cinemablend.com
5.6.08
In case you missed it, (like I did), CMT’s version of American Idol, Gone Country’s first season ended. I guess I didn’t even know it was on. Julio Iglesias Jr. won the competition – did you ever see that hilarious SNL skit from the time Derek Jeter hosted? He was “Norberto”, not Julio Jr., but it was freaking funny. Back to the topic at hand…
Gone Country was a pretty successful little show, and the folks over at CMT decided to pick it up for a second season. Hollywood Reporter has the new cast of Has Beens who will be featured on the second season. This news is so new that CMT doesn’t even have it on their website yet, so here are some of the contestants for your perusal.
Chris Kirkpatrick (who?) – I see on Wikipedia that he used to be part of N’Sync. That’s why I don’t know who he is.
Jermaine Jackson – older, and slightly less crazy brother to the King of Pop.
“Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach, who recently competed on sister network MTV's Celebrity Rap Superstar
Actress-singer Irene Cara
American Idol finalist Mikalah Gordon
And, actor Lorenzo Lamas, who recently popped up on ABC's "The Bachelor," on which his daughter Shayne is one of two remaining contestants.
Wow. Sounds like a “star-studded” cast. I’m kind of embarrassed for these guys. When the public is done with you, you need to just go away and live a semi-normal life in Boca Raton, (or where ever you want to retire). Stop trying to relive your glory days. You’re fall from grace is going to be twice as hard the second time around. Hey, I’ve got it… if they could just get Liza Minelli on board, I’m sure they’d have the highest ratings of the season.
Comments (0) 05.11.2008. 18:06
New crop of "Country" wannabes ready to warble
www.reuters.com
5.0
8.08
By Kimberly NordykeLOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Actress Sean Young, 'N Sync'er Chris Kirkpatrick and former Jackson 5 member Jermaine Jackson have "Gone Country" at CMT.
The cable network has ordered a second season of the reality competition series, in which a group of celebrities vie for a chance to release their own country single.
Season 2 competitors also include Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach, who recently competed on sister network MTV's "Celebrity Rap Superstar"; actress-singer Irene Cara of "Fame" fame; former "American Idol" finalist Mikalah Gordon; and actor Lorenzo Lamas, who recently popped up on ABC's "The Bachelor," on which his daughter Shayne is one of two remaining contestants.
Production on Season 2 is under way for an August premiere, with singer John Rich of Big & Rich returning to host and choose the winner.
The first season of "Country," which ended March 7 with Julio Iglesias Jr. named the winner, became CMT's highest-rated series ever, averaging 769,000 total viewers.
Comments (0) 05.11.2008. 17:59
The Party Crasher - Lance Bass' Mediocre Rooftop B-day Soiree
blogs.miaminewtimes.com
Mon May 05, 2008 at 08:53:39 AM
Just because you’re a pop idol has-been and a year shy of 30 doesn’t mean you can’t still invite a few hundred of Miami’s top movers and shakers to your birthday party, right? Lance Bass may not be as cool as he used to, but the former 'N Syncer-slash-failed-astronaut extraordinaire hosted his 29th Sunday night at the Gansevoort South’s Plunge Rooftop Pool Bar.
With a fabulous crew adorned in everything from SoBe chic to cowboy hats to metallic blazers, the highlight of the evening was the sweet treat tower of cupcakes from Stella’s Sweet Shoppe, boasting Magnolia-worthy icing and fondant cake toppers with an airbrushed Lance in astro helmet and disco balls galore. The music was mediocre at best, as was the mood of another hungover Sunday night pool party.
Other D-listers, like Frankie Godoy from Bravo’s Make Me A Supermodel and recently freed jailbird Joe Francis from Girl’s Gone Wild, showed up for some drinks and then the party pretty much died faster than my mood once learning the complimentary mojito pitchers had run dry. All in all, I give that former popstar some cred, considering the exceptional choice of location, the ocean breeze, and, of course, the never-ending confectious cupcake tower. Lance: At least you came off as a sugar daddy in one sense of the word.
-- Tracy BlockComments (0) 05.05.2008. 17:49
Timberlake gives Diaz some support
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
4.23.08
Grieving actress Cameron Diaz was lent a shoulder to cry on by her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake.
Timberlake joined the actress at the memorial service for her father recently. Also in the crowd was another of Diaz’s reportedly former boyfriend John Mayer. Cameron’s father Emilio, 58, passed away on April 15 due to pneumonia.
In order to keep the lively Diaz family spirit up, the guests who arrived at the memorial service at Mahe in Seal Beach, wore non-traditional garb. “Most people started arriving at 2 pm and no one wore black. Lots of people were wearing Hawaiian shirts. It looked more like a party,” the source added.
Timberlake and Mayer had arrived separately and they both stayed on until most of the people started leaving around 4 pm, after Cameron had spoken a few words to the group.
Comments (0) 04.29.2008. 20:12
Bass regrets hiding his sexual preference
thaindian.com
4.21.08
London, April 21 (IANS) Former ‘N Sync singer Lance Bass wishes he had not waited for four years after his group took a break to reveal that he was gay. He hesitated to make the revelation earlier for fear that it might hurt the planned reunion. Bass came out in an article in 2006 and admits he could not come out earlier because it would have negatively affected his bandmates’ careers.
Contactmusic.com quoted him as saying: “I was very scared of ruining my four best friends’ careers. The ignorance in me thought that if I did reveal that, then our whole life would crash and the group would end because everyone would hate us. But now I see how stupid that was, and I wish I could go back and be able to tell the world who I really was.
“I think it would have been fine. My fans have always stood by me, and they haven’t changed. And I think it would have been great to be able to come out at the height of like the ‘N Sync heyday - I think it could have helped a lot of people.”
The group never did reunite and looks very unlikely that they ever will.
Comments (1) 04.29.2008. 20:05
America's Best Dance Crew: JC Chasez's Buddy Stands Up for the Gay Community
www.buddytv.com
4.25.08
We've recently heard those rumors of JC Chasez dating Chace Crawford of the overly popular teen drama series Gossip Girl. The Dance Crew judge tried to dodge those rumors until he had enough of them, telling People that the rumors are "just stupid." The public must've gotten it wrong. JC Chasez isn't gay, as he has denied it a million times. However, one former N*Sync member is, and he's out in the open about it.
A couple of years ago, Lance Bass came out through an interview with People Magazine. There, he spoke about his sexual orientation, and how he's been dealing with it since way before the N*Sync days. Today, he continues to stand proud about his gender preferences with a new endeavor he is working on.
Lance Bass recently made a public service announcement for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), in lieu of the 11th annual National Day of Silence on April 25, when students across America "take a vow of silence to protest bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools," CNN reports.
"I think it's time for me to stand up," Lance Bass told the Associated Press. He says that he wants to "help educate, because I'm lucky enough to have been given a voice to be able to talk and grab the attention of people."
Bass would like to raise awareness on the violence against the gay community, which has often been defamed by the more conservative groups. Moreover, he recently released a memoir entitled "Out of Sync," which will be released on October 23rd. The memoir was done in honor of Lawrence King, a 15-year-old student who was tragically shot and killed in February in Oxnard, California by a younger boy because King arrived at school in a feminine attire.
"I heard about Lawrence on the news, and it was just incredible to me that kids that age that would have such an issue...with the subject of being gay," Bass said.
Moreover, Bass points out that the discrimination against the gay community isn't something that is felt individually. There is much influence from the older generation and he felt that kids nowadays are "being told by older siblings or family members or other fellow students."
"Everyday, thousands of students are silenced. They're silenced by fear, they're silenced for being who they are," Bass says.
The 28-year-old performer, who chose to come out of the closet well after the pop group N*Sync disbanded, says that he wished he could've made the revelation earlier. However, he took into consideration the career of N*Sync, and their widespread popularity, which might be stolen away from them once he let the cat out of the bag.
"I had four other guys' careers in my hand," Bass told MTV back in July 2006. "I knew that if I ever acted on it or even said [that I was gay], it would overpower everything."
"I was very scared of ruining my four best friends' careers," he admits today. "The ignorance in me thought that if I did reveal that, that our whole life would crash and the group would end because everyone would hate us."
However, it seems that he regrets that choice and saw it as a good opportunity to show the world that gay people may as well be as talented as any other straight person.
"Now I see how stupid that was, and I wish I could go back and be able to tell the world who I really was," Bass says. "I think it would have been fine. My fans have always still stood by me, and they haven't changed...I think it could have helped a lot of people."
In fact, Dance Crew judge and long-time friend JC Chasez himself admits that he has nothing but support for the fellow performer.
"I've know Lance for more than 10 years," JC Chasez told MTV News. "We have been through so much together. He is family and I support him unconditionally."
Comments (0) 04.29.2008. 19:43
Timberlake signs IMG marketing deal
www.guardian.co.uk
April 18, 2008
Justin Timberlake has signed a marketing deal with sports and entertainment company IMG to handle the singer and actor's global endorsement deals.
As well as representing the pop star's commercial endorsements, IMG will handle Timberlake's "wide array" of golf interests.
This will include the development of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open in Las Vegas and the design and construction of an eco-friendly golf course in the singer's hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.
"We look forward to partnering with a superstar of his calibre and global appeal to further build his brand and expand his relationships with sponsors through endorsement partnerships," said Sandy Montag, the senior corporate vice-president at IMG Sports and Entertainment.
Timberlake, who rose to fame as part of boyband 'N Sync before striking out as a solo artist - more recently dabbling in acting in films such as Alpha Dog and Shrek the Third - is one of the most bankable marketing properties in the world.
He has had high profile tie-ups with a string of brands including McDonald's - the fast food chain based its global "I'm Lovin' it" campaign around him - and Pepsi.
Last year he struck a five-year deal with US golf's organising body, the PGA, to host the tour's Las Vegas event.
The PGA said he was the 14th celebrity to ever host an event, starting this October, joining the likes of Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.
IMG's founder, the late Mark McCormack, built the global sports management and marketing business up after starting out representing golfer Arnold Palmer in the 1960s.
Comments (0) 04.20.2008. 17:14
Lance Bass Speaks Up for Silence
Eonline.com
april 18, 2008
Lance Bass wants the youth of America to get in sync with sexual tolerance.
The erstwhile 'N Syncer has filmed a public service announcement for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network to urge students to stop the bullying, harassment and discrimination occurring in schools.
The PSA, which began its viral distribution earlier today, was made in support of the 11th Annual National Day of Silence. Taking place April 25, the event commemorates those lost to antigay violence and encourages students throughout the country to take a vow of silence in protest of the intolerant among them.
"Every day, thousands of students are silenced," Bass says in the spot. "They're silenced by fear, they're silenced for being who they are.
"They're friends, they're classmates, they're brothers, they're sisters, they're gay, they're straight, they're you, they're me."
Hundreds of thousands of students are expected to participate in the Day of Silence, this year dedicated to the memory of 15-year-old Lawrence King, a student from Oxnard, Calif., who in February was shot and killed while sitting in class after showing up at school in feminine attire.
"Whoever they are, whatever their backgrounds or beliefs, these students will take action because they believe that the bullying and harassment must end," Bass says in the PSA. "What are you going to do to end the silence?"
Bass himself revealed his sexuality back in 2006 and soon after published a memoir detailing his own struggle to come out of the closet, particularly during the heady days of 'N Sync's global success.
As for his involvement in the Day of Silence, Bass said he decided to participate after learning of the King incident.
"I heard about Lawrence on the news, and it was just incredible to me that kids that age would have such an issue...with the subject of being gay," he told the Associated Press. "It also shows me that these kids don't—they don't learn [bigotry] on their own. They're being told by older siblings or family members or other fellow students."
As for looking back at his own reluctance to be open from the get-go, Bass told the wire service he regrets not doing so sooner.
"I think it would have been fine...I think it would have been great to be able to come out at the height of like the 'N Sync heyday—I think it could have helped a lot of people."
Comments (0) 04.20.2008. 17:02
N Sync's Lance Bass speaks out about being gay
The singer says new 'N Sync album might be in the cards
NME.com
Apr 18, 2008
N Sync member Lance Bass has made a public service announcement for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network in which he speaks out against gay discrimination and harassment.
The spot is set to be distributed tomorrow (April 18) to promote the National Day of Silence on April 25, when students throughout the US will take a vow of silence to protest bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools.
Bass, who is gay, said, "I think it's time for me to stand up ... and help educate, because I'm lucky enough to have been given a voice to be able to talk and grab the attention of people."
Bass joined the popular American boy band 'N Sync along with Justin Timberlake and Joey Fatone in the 1990s, but did not speak publicly about being gay until 2006.
He told the Associated Press that he made the PSA in honour of Lawrence King, a 15-year-old student who was shot and killed in February in Oxnard, California by another student when he arrived at school wearing feminine clothing.
"I heard about Lawrence on the news, and it was just incredible to me that kids that age that would have such an issue ... with the subject of being gay," said Bass.
When asked about the possibility of reuniting with Timberlake and company for another 'N Sync album, Bass said, "There's always a chance that 'N Sync will do another album. I am totally game, I would love to. I mean, the best times of my life were with those guys."
Comments (0) 04.20.2008. 16:54
Hello,Hello,Hello. Where's Nsync Now?
media.www.dailycampus.com
4.15.08
We all remember doing those unmistakable motions to "Bye Bye Bye" and awkwardly slow dancing to "This I Promise You." Some of you (don't deny it) may have had an unhealthy obsession with one or all five boys of *NSYNC, the world-influencing boy band of the 90's.
Since Lance Bass will be lecturing at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts tonight at 7, why not take a look at where his fellow *NSYNC bandmates and he are now.
"It's so hard to pick a favorite, I loved them all," said Gina Nicotera, a 4th-semester political science major. "I was always partial to Joey, for some reason though. We're both Italian, both loved Superman, we had a connection."
We watched them grow up, go through legal battles, and make record-breaking success. Since the group went on hiatus circa 2001, many heart-broken individuals may be wondering what the boys - Lance Bass, J.C. Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick and Justin Timberlake - are up to nowadays.
Bass, 28, former bass singer for the pop group had several acting, producing, and even spaceflight experiences that earned him some short lived fame. After revealing that he was gay in 2006, Bass received a lot of media attention, most of which was generally positive. He was awarded the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award for his courage in coming out. "Out of Sync," the book about his struggles with his sexuality and the stresses of always being in the limelight, debuted on The New York Times Best Seller List in 2007.
Bass has established several philanthropic organizations including the Lance Bass Foundation, a charity designed to meet the health needs of low-income children, and big Hurricane Katrina relief causes. He is currently doing a book tour to share his life experiences that are featured in "Out of Sync" to audiences around the country.
Chasez, 31, left *NSYNC with high hopes of sparking a successful solo career, due to his popularity as one of two of the group's lead singers. Unfortunately, his few singles and solo album "Schizophrenic," didn't hold a candle to the achievement and quality of his former band's albums. Since giving up on his solo act, Chasez has made guest appearances on TV shows and collaborated with several big names on different songs and albums for the mainstream pop scene, both as a vocalist and producer.
Chasez was named one of People Magazine's Hottest Bachelors in June 2006, and while he denies recent speculations that he might be gay, rumor has it that he's single again. Most recently, you may have recognized Chasez on his appearance as a judge on MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew," where he offered advice to teams of dancers competing for first place.
Fatone, 30, has made a name for himself as an actor, and in 2007 participated in season four of the American version of "Dancing With The Stars," where he placed second. He had a comedic role in hit film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," was in an episode of "Hannah Montana," and is currently the host of NBC's "The Singing Bee." Fatone, along with Lisa Rinna, replaced Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers as hosts of TV Guide's red carpet pre-shows for the 2007-2008 award show season.
He married his on-and-off girlfriend of 10 years, Kelly Baldwin, in 2004, and has a seven-year-old daughter, whose godfather happens to be fellow band-member Bass.
Kirkpatrick, 36, quirky character and founder of the band, originally pursued a solo career with the band Little Red Monster after *NSYNC. He debuted two songs, but later he regrouped and renamed the band Nigel's 11, and has had considerable success since 2005. Kirkpatrick has managed to stay involved in the music scene since his boy-band days, but hasn't really received the same amount of coverage as his fellow band-mates.
Lastly, you may have heard of pop-artist Timberlake, former lead singer and heartthrob of *NSYNC. If you haven't heard of him or know what he's been up to, you're absolutely living under a rock. Timberlake gained so much popularity during his *NSYNC days, that launching his solo career seemed grim for about 3.5 seconds. With his first two solo albums, "Justified" and "FutureSex/LoveSounds," he has sold over 18 million records worldwide and is the first male artist to achieve six Top 20 hits from one album since Michael Jackson.
Timberlake started his own record label, Tennman Records, and fashion label, William Rast. He has had unmatched success with his several tours, and even managed to regain America's respect after his assistance with Janet Jackson's little "wardrobe malfunction" during the Super Bowl of 2004.
Timberlake has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry including T.I., Beyoncé, Nelly, Black Eyed Peas, Snoop Dogg, Nelly Furtado, Timbaland, 50 Cent, Duran Duran and Madonna, to name a few. He has opened several restaurants and made many TV and movie appearances. His "Dick in a Box" skit on "Saturday Night Live" from 2006 has become one of the most viewed videos on YouTube for his comedic abilities and suaveness.
He has been given "Sexiest Man" titles by magazines, and romantically linked to actress Jessica Biel. Only bigger and better things can be expected from this former teen-popstar that melted so many middle-school hearts.
"Justin was always the cutest one," said Elyse Czarnecki, a 4th-semester nursing major."And when the group first came out, he was my favorite. But then his hair got too curly and I didn't like him as much, but seeing him now in his solo career, I think he's incredibly talented."
Comments (0) 04.15.2008. 17:48
Lance Bass Has New Man Candy
www.actressarchives.com
4.14.08
Former N’Sync band member, Lance Bass, came out of the closet a few years ago, which didn’t surprise too many people, but was still a brave thing for him to do. After his days with the wildly popular boy band, he went on to be a bestselling author, actor-writer-producer and even trained in the Russian cosmonaut program. Bass had always had dreams of becoming an astronaut and came close by almost nabbing, in 2002, a seat on a Russian space capsule…until his sponsors withdrew. Then, in 2005, he was in the spotlight again, not for performing, but for being seen out at gay bars. Let the gossip begin.
“Queen of All Bitchiness,” Perez Hilton, posted on his site, in 2005, that Bass had been seen out and about with various men. Then, in a smart publicity move, Bass “came out” in July of 2006, gracing the cover of People Magazine, which bumped Johnny Depp for his “shocking” story. Bass openly dated Reichen Lehmkuhl of “The Amazing Race” fame and that only lasted a few months.
Then Bass moved on to super-hot Brazilian model, Pedro Andrade. Next in line was hairdresser Ben Thigpen, but that ended in March.
On to the new. Lance Bass has recently been spotted, all pearly whites showing, with some dark-haired unnamed hottie, holding hands and driving off together. Love is in the air. Interestingly enough, there have been rumors about Bass’ former band brother, J.C. Chasez, hooking up with “Gossip Girl’s” Chace Crawford, who recently dumped his longtime girl, country singer, Carrie Underwood. The two have said they’re “not dating”. Hmmmm. Seems like N’Sync had put the “boy” in boy band….!
Comments (0) 04.14.2008. 19:18
Bass caught between success and identity
media.www.universitychronicle.com
4.10.08
Most of the media attention 'N Sync band member Lance Bass has been getting since the initial and progressive success of the band has been due to his announcement in July 2006 to People Magazine that he is gay
.While Bass' sexuality should be the last item on the list of information people want to know about him, it seemed to be the most wanted explanation during his lecture Tuesday night in Halenbeck Hall at SCSU.
The lecture was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., but began shortly after 7:45 and included in the two-hour session was a lecture, question and answer time slot and a book signing.
Bass visited SCSU to promote his book, "Out of Sync," and discuss his preparation in Russia for space and his experience as a gay male in the midst of success in the band 'N Sync. Bass answered each question proposed to him in a confident and surprisingly casual demeanor.
Raised in two parts of Mississippi, Bass said he grew up in a small town where no one in the entertainment industry came to perform. He said he grew up as a sports fan initially and was introduced to music when he moved to southern, central Mississippi.
"I didn't have much inspiration to be in the entertainment industry mostly because I was unfamiliar with it," Bass said. "I got into it by singing at church and by having a best friend who sang."
When he was 16-years-old, Bass received a phone call from a then 14-year-old Justin Timberlake who asked him to be the bass vocalist for a band he was putting together. The offer stemmed from Bass and Timberlake sharing the same vocal coach.
Bass said he flew to Orlando the next day, believing it would at least be a nice trip to Disney World, but expected nothing more.
"I ended up falling in love with the guys and it was amazing," Bass said. "We just hit it off and it just hit me that this is what I'm going to do the rest of my life."
Bass said the band's biggest goal right off the bat was to perform at Universal Studios or Disney World. He said their first year was really slow while they sat on an independent record label in Orlando.
"We had done Mickey Mouse club, which is where we got our initial fan base, and we thought things were going to really take off but no one wanted to sign us to a record label," Bass said.
'N Sync belonged to Transcontinental Records, owned by Lou Pearlman. Pearlman is now in jail for embezzlement of $300 million.
Coincidentally, it was the same label the Backstreet Boys belonged to. Bass said he can now admit he likes the Backstreet Boys, but was indirectly competing with them in the beginning.
'N Sync did a lot of performances, but still did not produce any record label offers. A German record label made the first offer and 'N Sync went with it.
"We spent a couple of years in Munich perfecting our craft because we were not good," Bass said. "We learned a lot about the crazy music industry as we were being flown everywhere and taken to fancy dinners and had limos everywhere. We had a little crash course lesson on the entertainment industry after we learned everything they gave us had to be paid back."
Bass said the band came back to America and did a Disney special but didn't expect anything to happen from it.
He said the band even questioned if they wanted to do it, but was glad they did when it ended up getting air time three times a day. It was then the band surpassed the Backstreet Boys, stunning them all.
"It was such a great moment for us," Bass said. "Throughout the next touring years, I was such a fan of everyone and we got to do a lot of amazing things that I had never even dreamed of doing."
SPACE TRAINING
Bass received a call from his manager with news that a producer wanted him to go to space and film a documentary to go along with it in Russia.
"From one big dream to another, I couldn't believe this was happening. Because it was my dream to go to space, I thought it must have meant I was being punk'd by Ashton Kutcher, but sure enough, it was true," Bass said.
The space program Bass attended in Moscow required him to be put through a four-day, extensive physical examination, which he said was very different from NASA.
"It wasn't fun, but I found out I had an irregular heartbeat, which I went to Boston to get fixed. They took metal rods and put them through my arteries to study my heart and they burned certain places," Bass said. "It didn't feel good at all. I spoke no Russian at this time at all so I had no clue what was going on."
Bass had a translator throughout the experience. He said during an appointment he endured an endoscopy followed by a colonoscopy, as the doctor used the same instrument.
He said he had tears rolling down his face because it hurt so badly. He said he noticed the doctors laughing and asked for clarity from his translator."I asked my translator why they were laughing and he said, 'They know now that you're not gay,'" Bass said. "After that, I went into the training without anyone to experience it. Toward the end of my training, about a month before the launch, one of the rockets that held the clothes and experiments blew up on the launch pad, which scared the producers of the documentary we were working on."
Following the explosion, the producers could not get insurance to back the trip, so the entire mission got scrapped. Bass said he was devastated, but stayed to complete his training.
"Even though I couldn't go then, I'm definitely going to go one day for sure," Bass said.
ON BEING GAY
"My whole life I knew I was gay," Bass said. "It's just something you know, but it's something I also knew I would have to hide because the business tells you not to even be seen with a girlfriend or with a beer in your hand. If you're gay, you're definitely not going to say anything about it."
Bass said it was when the band members took a break (what was supposed to be a few months but later turned into an extended break) that he actually started thinking about his life, relationships and love, and how they were in front of him. He said he had been so busy before that he didn't have time to face any of these issues.
"After a few months I started meeting people, but had to keep my relationships secret, which totally sucked," Bass said. "I wish I would have been able to come out earlier."
Bass said as crushing as it was to hear there would be no 'N Sync album in the near future (because Justin Timberlake had put out a solo album that garnered him huge success), the other part of him thought now was the time for him to be true to himself and not worry about what other people thought.
"A few months later, I became more relaxed with dating and I began telling my friends I was gay. People talk and rumors began floating around, but I was thinking 'who cares anymore,'" Bass said. "I went to a small town in Rhode Island and photographers had taken some pictures of me with another man. I began getting phone calls from magazines saying they were going to run a story that I was gay. I had 24 hours to decide whether or not I wanted to come out to the world."
Bass said his family did not know he was gay at the time. He also said when he told his family, they were very understanding and he felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
SITTING DOWN WITH LANCE BASS
With your experience with the media essentially outing you, what are your thoughts on the outing issue in media?
I don't think it's anyone's business to out anyone. I think everyone should do it on their own terms and time because everyone's an individual.
Everyone has to deal with it on their own. It was a blessing in disguise for me though because it really pushed me into an area where I needed to be personally in my life, but still I think it's not good to publicly out someone.
Is there resentment built up toward the media?
No, not at all. The media has always been good to me. I've never had a problem where they've just attacked me so I have no problem with them whatsoever. I know they are just doing their job.
How did the People Magazine article come about? Did they contact you and say they were going to run the story regardless of if you agreed to it or?
They did contact me. They wanted to do the story. They knew what was up, they knew the truth and they wanted to make sure I told my story in a positive way.
I felt like that would be the perfect way to do it with such a magazine that was respectful. I think they did a great job.
You mentioned during tonight's presentation this fear celebrities have about coming out in Hollywood, has your experience nullified those fears? Have you suffered consequences like you thought you would?
No, I thought it would be a lot worse. I think it has all been positive. There is always going be that role they are never going to give me because of how public my outing was, but that's business and unfortunately that's their views and their choice also because producers and casting directors do it for people who watch the movies.
But that's changing, right now though there are so many great actors and musicians that are being themselves and admitting to everyone they are gay and it's not affecting their career at all.
Do you think that landscape is changing in Hollywood? Is it from seeing a lack of negative media attention?
Oh, definitely. I think the biggest fear for any artist is that backlash of negativity because they don't want to be stereotyped into what everyone thinks is a gay stereotype. I know tons of actors and musicians who haven't come out because they are still dealing with those issues.
Do the media know who is gay and who is not?
No one knows anything. They can speculate and guess, but unless you have a picture of someone doing something to prove it, it's hard to say.
Do the media pick and choose who they out?
I think they pick and choose their battles, but I also think if they are going to out someone, it has to be a story for them and something that's going to get attention for their outlet.
I don't think they are going to target any particular person, but if there are rumors about someone, they are going to investigate and find out as much as they can.
How has your interaction with the media changed since you came out?
There is a lot more paparazzi following me around because I guess it was such a big deal. Truthfully, it has been bad with gossip and paparazzi everywhere just in the last couple of years.
You see those roles in entertainment always start strong and then fizzle away. It can be crazy.
In light of the paparazzi explosion, especially with Britney Spears highlighting it, how do you deal with it?
You just try to lead as much of a normal life as you can and know when you go out, you are going to be photographed.
It sucks to know every move you make is going to be scrutinized. I think it's sad and also especially worse for women celebrities because they tear women apart for their weight.
Do you think they treat gay celebrities differently?
No, I don't think so. I think it's a very touchy issue for media. If there is any outlet out there that would do anything remotely negative toward the gay community, I think they would be chastised. I think they really do watch out for that.
Do you ever wish you could revert back to a low-key lifestyle without paparazzi following you everywhere?
Of course there are days when you wish you could just go be yourself when no one identifies you, but there are places you can go. I went to Sydney for the last six weeks and they knew who I was but they were just way laid back and cool about it.
I didn't take maybe but two pictures my entire trip so I mean there are places you can go and just get peace and feel like your old self again.
Comments (0) 04.14.2008. 18:22
Justin Timberlake Adds ASCAP Honors to Awards Collection
www.actressarchives.com
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Justin Timberlake won two ASCAP Pop Music Awards on Wednesday night, for writing the songs “My Love” and “Until the End of Time”, a duet with Beyoncé.
At the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers held their 25th annual award ceremony and honored the former ‘N Sync singer as well as other band members-gone-solo: the Black Eyed Peas’ Fergie and No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani, who both won Song of the Year, for “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “The Sweet Escape”, respectively.
Justin Timberlake’s awards supplement a long list of accolades the 27-year-old has amassed. Since 2002, he’s won six Grammys, and has been nominated for 16 – twice as many nods as when he was with N’Sync.
Timberlake also won three American Music Awards and two World Music Awards, Video Music Awards and even an Emmy, in 2007. Timberlake’s “Saturday Night Live” skit entitled “Dick in a Box” won him the prize for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.
Is there any award Justin Timberlake hasn’t won?
Well, there’s still the granddaddy of all golden statues – the Oscar.
Seems laughable now, with his wannabe tough-guy appearances in forgettable films like Alpha Dog and Black Snake Moan. But JT’s shtick on “SNL” and vocal work on Shrek the Third may lead him to his true cinematic calling – comedy.
This summer, he’ll play a sleazy French Canadian hockey player in The Love Guru. And Timberlake is “hilarious” according to the film’s star Mike Myers. “Justin Timberlake is the single most talented human being I've ever met in my life,” Myers told MTV, “and it sickens me.”
If all this so-called sickening behavior continues, Justin Timberlake better make more room in his trophy case.
Comments (0) 04.10.2008. 19:55