Fear of losing jobs — and the admiration of fans — is one of the main reasons why many stars decide to remain in the closet. Lance Bass, a 1990s teen heartthrob with ’NSync, admits this concern played a part in his decision to wait until 2006 to finally admit he is gay. “It’s scary for someone to come out because they know it will hurt their career — even now. It really does typecast you,” Lance tells In Touch exclusively. “In Hollywood, it really matters what your personal life is. It sucks that it’s that way, but that’s the reality.”

Hollywood image consultant Michael Sands says that stars’ livelihoods depend on their “appeal to viewers of the opposite sex. The public dictates whether or not artists will work, and so stars need to be seen as romantically attainable.”

But coming out doesn’t have to be a career killer. “Look at Ellen, she wasn’t accepted at first, but now she’s huge,” notes Sands. “What stars who come out need to do is reinvent themselves.” Lance, a favorite on this season’s Dancing With the Stars, agrees. “To be able to be yourself is much better than getting that job you wanted,” he says. “In the end, you will be a much happier person.”

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Lance Bass has been inspired to adopt a child in light of California’s gay marriage ruling.

The 29-year-old star is eager to settle down since state authorities lifted the ban on same-sex marriage in May. And he admits he dreams of meeting the right man to start a family.

He says, “I think everyone dreams of that nice romantic wedding. And I love kids. I want to adopt and I want to have my own.”

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WENN

Lance Bass wouldn’t mind dancing with a man on a reality competition show, but he doesn’t think ABC’s Dancing With the Stars is the right place for fancy same-sex footwork.

“I think it would be so silly that it would just overshadow everything else going on,” Bass tells me. “It would just be like making fun of something. But if it was another show with all guys dancing and all girls dancing, that’s a different story. I think that’s sexy.”

He adds with a laugh, “I should pitch that.”

Hard to believe, but Bass is the first openly gay dancer—professional or celebrity—to appear on DWTS. “I think it’s so important for me to do this,” he says. “But my biggest concern is I just hope it doesn’t hurt the gay community in any way because, you know, we definitely can be scrutinized and picked apart. I definitely feel a responsibility of making sure I represent well.”

But he has other reasons for doing the show. During ‘N Sync’s reign as one of music’s top boy bands, Bass says he was ridiculed by his bandmates for being the group’s worst dancer. “The guys always told me how terrible of a dancer I am, so I kind of just wanted to prove to myself that I could learn something crazy,” he say. “Also my grandmother and mother love the show, so I wanted to do something for them.”

With countless hours now spent rehearsing—DWTS has a three-night premiere starting Sept. 22—the 29-year-old Bass is one tired puppy. His boyfriend Sebastian Leal isn’t too happy about it, because “he really wants to learn” the dances, Bass says. “But we haven’t had time. When I go home, all I wanna do is just sleep and eat.”

Bass did, however, make sure to find the time (and the energy, for that matter) to appear on Saturday night at event producer Tom Whitman’s West Hollywood fundraiser for No on 8, a campaign to fight a November ballot that would ban same-sex marriage in California. “I’m definitely not political,” Bass explains. “But I know what’s right and wrong, and I know that’s wrong. So I’m going to speak up about it. It’s just common sense.”

He imagines he’ll marry and have kids some day. “I think everyone dreams of that nice romantic wedding,” he says. “And I love kids. I want to adopt and I want to have my own.”

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WENN

Hot on the heels of the New Kids On The Block comeback, Lance Bass is sure ‘N Sync will reunite – one day.

“We’re definitely itching to do some music,” the new Dancing with the Stars contestant told Access Hollywood.

Are Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez and Chris Kirkpatrick also game? “We’ve always discussed it,” said Bass. “It’s always a possibility and we still owe some records to the record companies.”

Still, he admitted, it could take years to get their schedules, well, in sync.

“It’s gonna be hard to get Justin to calm down and get off tour,” Bass said. “He’s a workaholic.”

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WENN

Lance Bass’ popularity has become the center of controversy among cast members on Dancing With The Stars.

Bass’ edge as a dancer in 1990s pop group reportedly sent veteran ballroom dancers Cheryl Burke and Julianne Hough into a spin, vying to partner up with the star - who is now teamed up with newcomer Lacey Schwimmer.

A source tells the New York Post, “When Lacey was one of the finalists on the Fox show So You Think You Can Dance, they were all buddy, buddy. But now they totally ignore her because she has the best partner. They won’t talk to her.”

But a spokeswoman for the show insists Bass has not caused bad blood between the cast.

She says: “I have not heard a negative word. This is a group of professionals.”

Bass is set to take the stage in the dance competition when it airs on September 22nd.

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WENN

The season seven Dancing with the Stars cast was officially announced Monday on ABC’s Good Morning America, and after much Internet speculation on who would be joining the show, there are plenty of surprises.

The diverse lineup includes soap star Susan Lucci, recent Beijing Olympics gold medal winner Misty May-Treanor, Kim Kardashian and former ‘N Sync star Lance Bass. The cast also boasts the oldest-ever competitor with actress Cloris Leachman, 82, and the youngest-ever competitor with Hannah Montana actor Cody Linley, 18.

Dancing producer Conrad Green tells People that he’s anticipating this season to be one of the show’s best yet. He says, “tons of people might be contenders right down to the last week. That’s what people want – lots of competition and unpredictable things happening.”

What’s sure to also spice up the competition is the return of pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who took last season off. Also, three new dancers will join the show, including Corky Ballas (father of season six champ Mark Ballas), Lacey Schwimmer of 2007’s So You Think You Can Dance, and U.S. Amateur 10 Dance Champion Inna Brayer.

Dancing, which is nominated for eight primetime Emmys this year, kicks off its seventh season on Monday, September 22, on ABC.

“We thought we’d focus on good characters and lots of things could happen. It’s a show that makes itself in some ways,” says Green, adding this bit of advice to fans: “Sit back and get ready for the ride.” –Monica Rizzo and Liza Hamm

Here’s the rundown of celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners ready to mambo for the mirror-ball trophy:

• Toni Braxton, singer, 40, and season one DWTS champ Alec Mazo
• Lance Bass, singer, 29, and Lacey Schwimmer
• Ted McGinley, actor, 50, and Inna Brayer
• Cloris Leachman, actress, 82, and Corky Ballas
• Warren Sapp, former NFL star, 35, and Kym Johnson
• Rocco DiSpirito, chef, 41, and Karina Smirnoff
• Kim Kardashian, TV personality, 27, and reigning DWTS champ Mark Ballas
• Maurice Green, Olympic gold medalist track and field star, 34, and two-time DWTS champ Cheryl Burke
• Misty May-Treanor, Olympic gold medalist beach volleyball player, 31, and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
• Susan Lucci, Emmy-award winning soap opera actress, 61, and Tony Dovolani
• Jeffrey Ross, 42, comedian, and Edyta Sliwinska
• Cody Linley, 18, actor, and two-time DWTS champ Julianne Hough
• Brooke Burke, 36, TV personality, and Derek Hough

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WENN

Breast cancer survivor Christina Applegate will save the lives of thousands of women inspired by her story, insists her longtime friend Lance Bass.

The former ‘N Sync star maintains Applegate is “doing great” and “totally, fully recovering” after undergoing a double mastectomy following her diagnosis with the deadly disease last month.

And Bass, 29, is adamant the Samantha Who? star’s battle will in turn encourage scores of women to undergo early testing for the illness.

He tells People.com, “Now she has a voice and she can use it for something good. Just opening her mouth about it is going to make thousands of women go get checked out. It will probably save many lives.”

Applegate has announced plans to launch a campaign to raise money for MRI scans for women at risk of contracting breast cancer.

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WENN