‘Never Kinda Liked Him’: Lance Bass Recalls Overhearing Diddy Urging Justin Timberlake To Leave *NSYNC

As a follower who was there during the final days of *NSYNC’s tour, I can’t help but share my personal experience with Sean Diddy Combs. The man who once encouraged Justin Timberlake to ditch the band left a sour taste in my mouth that still lingers today. Overhearing that conversation at the Orlando show was like hearing nails on a chalkboard, especially since we were all facing our own internal struggles as a group.


Back in 2002, I was utterly smitten with the world of entertainment, and one moment has stuck with me like glue ever since. On September 25th, during an episode of Watch What Happens Live, I got to spill the beans about this pivotal memory that shaped my feelings towards Sean Diddy Combs. You see, I eavesdropped on a chat between Diddy and Justin Timberlake, and let’s just say, it wasn’t exactly music to my ears. From that moment forward, I couldn’t help but have a less than favorable opinion of the man himself.

On *NSYNC’s last tour, Combs served as the opening act, and Bass alleges that during one of the performances, he overheard something astonishing.

As per Bass’ account, the event took place during the last concert of the tour in Orlando. It is said that while accompanying NSYNC on their Celebrity tour, Combs suggested to Justin Timberlake that he should embark on a solo career and leave the group.

According to bass, he had never been particularly fond of him since during their final performance in Orlando, he overheard him telling Justin something along the lines of, “You should get rid of those people! Go solo!

The advice seemed to hit a nerve with Bass, who admitted, “I was like, ‘I don’t like you anymore, Diddy.’ I’m like, ‘At my own show? What the hell?’”

The timing of the event was crucial because it happened immediately following the conclusion of NSYNC’s last tour. Justin Timberlake then started his own career, and in November 2002, he launched his first solo album, Justified, which signaled the beginning of his prosperous solo journey.

Hearing someone push one of his bandmates to leave the group made a lasting impression on Bass. While the group faced its own internal issues, Combs’ advice appeared to worsen the situation for Bass.

In 2002, Combs, Ginuwine, and Smash Mouth served as the opening acts for NSYNC during their Celebrity tour, which marked the boy band’s last tour before taking an indefinite hiatus. Despite not attending any of Diddy’s well-known parties, known for their grandeur and wild antics, Bass developed a firm opinion about the rapper.

In the interview, Bass stated, “I’ve never had the chance to attend one of Diddy’s notorious parties,” referring to the lavish events that made Combs well-known. These events, as documented in legal records, were commonly referred to as Freak-Offs, a term used in multiple lawsuits filed against the rapper.

Bass’ disclosures surface during a time when Combs is grappling with significant legal hurdles. Cassie, previously Combs’ partner, filed a lawsuit in November 2023, mere days before the expiration of the Adult Survivors Act of New York. In this lawsuit, she alleged that Combs had inflicted sexual, physical, and emotional harm upon her over an extended period. The legal matter was quickly settled, but it sparked further allegations.

Most recently, a woman called Thalia Graves filed a lawsuit alleging that Combs and his bodyguard, Joseph Sherman, assaulted her in 2001 at the Bad Boy studio. The lawsuit says that the assault was filmed without her permission, leaving her emotionally disturbed.

On September 2023, Combs was taken into custody at a hotel in Manhattan. An indictment, totaling 14 pages, was made public the following day, alleging that the music mogul had engaged in sex trafficking, racketeering, and facilitating prostitution.

The charges outlined the incidents referred to as the “Freak-Offs,” where it’s claimed that women were secretly filmed while under the influence of drugs without their knowledge or consent. Authorities characterized these encounters as carefully planned and staged sex acts, which it is alleged that Combs videotaped for his private enjoyment.

In addition to the troubles, the victims were frequently administered drugs to maintain obedience, and afterwards, Combs would supply them intravenous fluids for their recuperation. Outside of court, his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, declared, “He will strive tirelessly with all his strength and all his power, and with complete confidence from his legal team. I anticipate a protracted struggle leading to a favorable outcome for Mr. Combs.

At the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, Combs continues to be held and has a court date set for early October.

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2024-09-27 09:09