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

Lance Bass is set to appear in the next season of Dancing With The Stars.

The pop singer is reportedly in talks with network executives to appear on the hit talent contest, where he would use his boyband experience to develop his skills as a ballroom dancer.

Bass isn’t the first ‘N Sync alumni to take a turn on the series – his former bandmate Joey Fatone placed second in the competition just last year in the show’s fourth season.

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WENN

Lance Bass recreated his former ‘N Sync bandmate Justin Timberlake’s ‘Nipplegate’ embarrassment at the 2004 SuperBowl by ripping open comedienne Kathy Griffin’s top to reveal a pair of fake boobs at the TV Land Awards in New York.

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WENN

Former ‘N Sync star Lance Bass regrets waiting four years after the group went on hiatus to announce he was gay – because he thought his ‘coming out’ would ruin a planned reunion. Bass confessed he was a homosexual in a magazine article in 2006 and now claims he couldn’t ‘come out’ any sooner because he feared the gay shocker would taint his bandmates’ careers.

He explains, “I was very scared of ruining my four best friends’ careers. 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. 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.”

His wait was in vain as ‘N Sync never regrouped after they went on hiatus in 2002, and Justin Timberlake’s solo success make it less and less likely that the boy band will ever reunite, like Westlife, Backstreet Boys and New Kids on The Block have.

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WENN

Lance Bass thinks pal Justin Timberlake should help Britney Spears through her current struggle.

“Justin could really help,” Bass told Usmagazine.com.

Bass thinks his former ‘NSYNC bandmate – who dated Spears for four years ending in 2002 – should join an extended support system to aid Spears, currently dealing with severe bipolar disorder and a legal fight with her parents after a week in the psych ward of the UCLA Medical Center.

“I hope that she gets good people back in her life,” he told Us. “It would be nice to see those old and familiar faces from back in the day back in her life.”

“Hopefully this is as low as it will go,” he added. “She will definitely get the help that she needs.”

Spears was released from the UCLA Medical Center on Wednesday after being involuntarily committed to treatment for bipolar disorder on January 31. She had been expected to remain hospitalized for another 10 days.

Source, WENN