Lance Bass commented on former "Bachelor" starColton Underwood 'scoming out .- Bass said Underwood may get backlash from some who "don't like the fact that he came out this way."
- Underwood came out on "Good Morning America" and secured a Netflix series detailing his experience.
Lance Bass explained why he expects former "Bachelor" star Colton Underwood to receive some backlash from the
The former NSYNC singer on Thursday appeared on "The Ben & Ashley I Almost Famous"
Underwood announced during a "Good Morning America" interview with Robin Roberts that he has come out as gay. Soon after, Variety reported that Underwood, 29, would return to reality TV with a Netflix series detailing "his life publicly as a gay man."
Bass said the series is "only going to help the community," but cautioned that Underwood could receive some pushback.
"He definitely going to get a lot of backlash from the community at first," said Bass, 41. "Not the majority, but there is a small percentage of the community that's just gonna not like the fact that he came out this way, that he's monetizing the experience."
Bass first publicly came out as gay in 2006 when he appeared as the cover story for People's July issue that year. He later revealed that he came out to Britney Spears at least two years earlier.
"They don't know what the issues are because they've been so separated from that on purpose. So when someone comes out as a public figure, so many people immediately go, "It's too late." They don't like to support it because they don't feel like you know what you're talking about yet," Bass said during the podcast. "But I don't think Colton is trying to lead that charge of trying to be the spokesperson for the LGBTQ community."
Bass also advised Underwood to "listen."
"That's all you need to do right now, is just listen to the community, listen to everyone around you," Bass said. "Educate yourself, and then you'll naturally find where you belong in this community. But the best thing to do right now is sit back, listen and learn."
During his interview on "Good Morning America," Underwood said that he questioned his sexuality often throughout his adolescence and early adulthood.
"I've ran from myself for a long time," said Underwood. "I've hated myself for a long time. I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it, and the next step in all of this was sort of letting people know. I'm still nervous. It's been a journey for sure."
Underwood admitted that he's "emotional," but "I'm emotional in such a good, happy, positive way. I'm the happiest and healthiest that I've ever been in my life, and that means the world to me."