Lance Bass recalls overhearing Diddy pushing Justin Timberlake to ‘drop’ NSYNC and ‘go solo’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lance Bass recently disclosed on 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen' that he once overheard Sean 'Diddy' Combs encouraging Justin Timberlake to “drop” Bass and the other members of NSYNC.

Reflecting on Combs’ recent legal troubles, Bass, 45, noted, “I forgot he had opened up on our last tour until all this came about,” in reference to Combs’ arrest for trafficking and racketeering.

“It’s kind of horrible,” he added.

Lance Bass recalls tension with Sean 'Diddy' Combs during NSYNC's Celebrity Tour

According to the New York Post, Lance Bass expressed his longstanding dislike for Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who opened for NSYNC during their Celebrity Tour in 2002.

He recounted a particular incident from their final show in Orlando: “The very last show, in Orlando, I overheard him talking to Justin and being like, ‘You need to drop these f**kers. You need to go solo. You need to drop [them],’ ” Bass said.

He further remarked, “I was like, I don’t like you anymore, Diddy. At my own show? What the hell!”

Both Bass and Timberlake, 43, were part of the iconic boy band along with Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, and JC Chasez. The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2002, coinciding with the release of Timberlake’s debut solo album 'Justified'.

Recently, NSYNC reunited after two decades to release 'Better Place', featured in the 2023 film 'Trolls Band Together', and appeared on the track 'Paradise' from Timberlake’s new album, 'Everything I Thought I Was'.

Lance Bass teases potential NSYNC reunion tour

On 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen', Lance Bass hinted at the possibility of an NSYNC reunion tour.

“I can finally say we’re in talks right now,” he revealed. “We’d be stupid not to do something. Just hold your breath just a little longer. It’s gonna take a little time, but I think something’s coming.”

Earlier in June this year, Justin Timberlake was arrested after leaving a bar just after midnight when he failed to stop and failed to maintain his lane of travel. , police said. Authorities determined the pop star was driving drunk, had bloodshot, glassy eyes and "a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" emanating from his breath, according to the criminal complaint. 

Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces serious allegations

While NSYNC appears poised for a comeback, Sean 'Diddy' Combs' career is facing severe challenges. Last week, he was arrested in New York City on federal charges including racketeering conspiracy, trafficking, and other serious crimes.

Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has been denied bail. He is currently held at a Brooklyn detention center while awaiting trial. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, stated, “Mr Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this to the end.”