Lance Bass Reveals Story Behind Third World American Teen Prison Masquerading as Religious School (Video)
Today we're all about the bass, about the bass, #LanceBass. (Credit to @Mametown for the original pun.)
The former NSYNC star grew up listening to the late Casey “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars” Kasem, followed that dream in two directions, literally by training in Russia to become a cosmonaut and figuratively now as the host of the daily drive-time pop culture show “Dirty Pop” on SiriusXM.
The only thing he was reaching for at the L.A. Haunted Hayride this week was the black bottle of bubbly Frexienet as we brought a new “star” in to his world, when he became the newest guest on TheWrap's “Drinking with the Stars.”
As an emerging documentarian, we discussed the seasonally appropriate, in terms of horror, documentary he executive produced “Kidnapped for Christ.”
Also read: Lance Bass ‘Kidnapped for Christ’ Documentary Lands at Showtime
“There was a lot of abuse at this school in the Dominican Republic,” Bass said. “The parents paid the school to kidnap (“problem teens”) in the middle of the night, handcuff them, put them on a plane, they had no idea where they were going and put them through this crazy routine of military school for things like talking back to their parents. One kid is there for being gay.”
Film school student Katie Logan directed the film as an embedded visitor. She came to tell a story of a religious school and became part of the narrative when she decided to help the students trapped there.
Also read: Jenny McCarthy Talks New SiriusXM Show, Retooled ‘View’ and Chris Hardwick's Comeback
Bass is continuing his socially conscious producing with the documentary “Mississippi: I Am,” a film about LGBT teens in one of the most conservative and religious states in the country standing up for their civil rights.
It's a Mississippi homecoming for the guy who started in the Mississippi Showstoppers Choir before a call from the Timberlake family changed his life.
In this second episode below, he also sounds off on his close integration with Dick Clark Productions, his relationships with native digital talent superstars like Hannah Hart, and why he can approach artists currently experiencing a moment, like Iggy Azalea and Demi Lovato, with a more trusted ear than most while reporting for “Entertainment Tonight.”
Watch TheWrap's interview with Bass:
Watch the special Halloween episodes of “Drinking with the Stars” above. All treats.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Gay Teens Are Ripped From Their Homes in the Name of God in 'Kidnapped for Christ' Trailer (Video)
Lance Bass 'Kidnapped for Christ' Documentary Lands at Showtime