On Saturday, former ‘NSYNC member Lance Bass made a major revelation about an event that unfolded in 2002. Bass claimed that he almost succeeded in becoming the first celebrity to go to outer space — but ultimately, he got a gun to the head instead.
Bass said he signed a contract with a Russian space program and put down a deposit to go to space. In order to secure necessary visas, Bass and his team had to travel to Russia and stay at a hotel that was like something out of a horror movie — full of rats, mold and armed guards in the hallways.
The mission became even more unsettling as Bass and his team had a run-in with a certain Silvio Berlusconi, the then-prime minister of Italy. According to Bass, they were threatened by Berlusconi’s men, waking up to find a gun pointed at his head. Bass believes the men were trying to keep Bass and his team from leaving.
Frightened, Bass and his team immediately departed from Russia and the supposed mission to space was ultimately canceled. Bass remarked, “It was a trip I will never forget. One I never wish upon anyone.”
Fast forward to today, and now companies like Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and Space X have made it easier for wealthy people to go to space. But none of these companies had plans in 2002.
Although Bass didn’t get to follow his dreams of becoming the first celebrity to experience outer space, his story of his near-success is still quite impressive and a testament to what might have been.
