Lance Bass Opens Up About Making Time for Family, Coming Out, and His Wild Pink Hair

"I need to stop pretending I'm 21" – Out NSYNC alum Lance Bass opened up recently about health, aging, marriage and family, and how he now thinks about his coming out in 2006.

The 44-year-old former boy band member is putting a focus on fitness and learning how to deal with diabetes, USA Today reported, as well as learning to slow things down a bit and take more time for his husband and their children.

But growing up doesn't mean not having any fun. Bass pointed to his wild pink hair job as proof that all is not serious when it comes to adulting.

"I actually love it," the Mississippi native said of the vibrant hue, which he attributed to a suggestion from his stylist. "It might be my favorite color I've done so far."

Still, the adventurous singer – he once underwent astronaut training in preparation for a trip to the International Space Station, a trip that ultimately didn't pan out – has his eyes on the business of longevity.

"I want to be here as long as I can for my kids," Bass told USA Today, referring to their young twins Alexander and Violet. The tots are now two and a half, and, Bass says, old enough that "if they're crying on a plane, you can actually have a conversation about it."

COVID put work on the back burner a bit, but made it possible for his family to take the forefront. "What was so nice to be able to be present with my kids and not be on the road for so many days missing out on them growing up," Bass noted, adding that while lockdowns and other pandemic restrictions are behind us, making touring easier again, he's "tamed that down even to this day."

Saying that he and his husband, Michael Turchin, becoming parents "changed my life completely," Bass explained, "when you have kids, it's no longer about you. It's about someone else."

Added the pop icon: "I love this feeling of selflessness and really putting all this energy into these two human beings that you just want to make good people."

Looking back on his coming out almost two decades ago, Bass admitted, "I didn't know what I was talking about. I didn't know any of the issues that going on."

"He didn't want to be the spokesperson for the gay community because he didn't know the ins and outs of the biggest challenges they were facing as a whole," USA Today contextualized. "Remember this was pre-federal gay marriage, pre-more widespread LGBTQ+ acceptance in the U.S."

"I didn't want to offend anyone at that time," Bass said, "So I was so scared to speak out about it."

"But you know, I took the time to learn and to become a part of this community," even though coming out "was very, very scary" and something that "changed my life," Bass said.

"It changed my career for the good, for the bad. But it was also fun trying to navigate it and see where it took me, but it made me grow as a human being and it made me become the person that I truly am. And I'm just so grateful for that."

Something else he's learned about: how to make a good marriage work. He and Turchin have been together nine years and counting, noting that it's good to take time each day to check in with each other and to appreciate each other.

"Thank you therapy," Bass quipped.