Of all the members of ‘N Sync, who would have guessed that Lance Bass was the first to take the marital plunge?
But the former boy-bander has revealed exclusively to E! News that back in “like, ’99, 2000,” owing to “one of those crazy moments,” he tied the knot with a girlfriend after a wild night in Sin City.
“People do stupid things in the heat of the moment. I’ve been in Vegas where I’ve gotten married for, like, five minutes,” he said. “No one talks about that though.”
Bass, who announced his homosexuality to much fanfare last year, declined to name his his former missus, only IDing his bride as “just a friend of mine.”
“You know it was one of those crazy moments where you’re with a friend and you’re like ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be fun if we did this?’ and that’s all that happened. It’s the Vegas thing to do.”
He said that his decision to swap vows was simply the means to an end–that end being to snag some comp’d booze.
“In fact, the only reason we did it is because we wanted to get free drinks all night. And we didn’t get one. We’re like, ‘We just got married!’ They’re like, ‘Ah. Whatever.’ ”
Bass declined to go into details about when or how the marriage ended (we’re guessing an equally quick annulment–however, the Clark County Recorders Office had no record of either a union or subsequent dissolution), but he did say that the nano-nuptials didn’t sour his relationship with the former Mrs. Bass.
“We’re friends,” he said. “It’s great.”
Bass’ revelation comes as he continues to make the rounds publicizing his new memoir, Out of Sync.
Speaking of quickie Vegas hookups, Bass said the last time he spoke with fellow ’90s pop product Britney Spears was when she got hitched to childhood friend Jason Alexander, a night when he also told Spears he was gay.
“We’ve been communicating through friends [since then], but I haven’t talked to her live. The last time I saw her was her first wedding in Vegas. And I was there that night, and that was a crazy night for her.
“It was a crazy night, and I knew the next day was going to be pretty hellish for her, and I knew she looked a little upset, and we were sitting down, and I felt I just needed to say something so shocking and personal that it might take her mind off things for a little while. And I think it did.”
As for his present romantic status, the wannabe space cadet said he is dating but is “taking things real slow.”
“I’m a relationship guy for sure. And this time, I know what I want. And you live and learn with past relationships, and I’m really focusing on my career right now. Which I haven’t in the last few years.
“But I’m definitely dating, and it’s a particular person, but I’m trying to keep that as quiet as I can for as long as I can.”
Bass, 28, is keeping mum about his current beau, though did tell E! News that his new paramour is not in the public eye. “Thank God,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bass said he isn’t holding his breath to hear his former band mates’ critiques of his autobiography.
“The guys don’t like to read too much, so I doubt they’ve read it. I know Joey [Fatone], last time I talked to him he was still on chapter five. But yeah, they received the book like two months ago.”
Bass also said there are no hard feelings between the other members and Justin Timberlake, whose solo career effectively nixed any more group efforts.
“He deserves everything he’s got. Time heals a lot, and I’m so happy, I don’t regret anything. If that hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t be here today as happy as I am.”
Out of Sync was released Oct. 23.
