Lance Looks to His Friends

'N SYNC's Lance discuss the importance of friendship and how losing and friend affected his life.

Fame, fortune and frenzied fans are all part of the perks of being a member of N SYNC, and even though those things are undeniably super cool, they pale in the real comparison why Lance Bass feels like he's one of the luckiest guys on earth: He's hooked up with four singers whom he can really count on- and vice versa. "They are my best friends," the Southern songster beams to Bop. "I can rely on them and tell them anything".

And the 19-year-old singer isn't just saying that. Even though it seems like this savory sweetie has everything in the world, Lance still finds himself down in the dumps over things like being away from his Mississippi-based Family and friends for months and months at a time or Crushing on a girl that isn't crushing him back [Can you believe that?!?]. Whenever it looks like his optimistic attitude is going to crash and burn because he's had a day, the green-eyed guy can always rely on his 'N SYNC song-mates--Justin Timberlake, J.C. Chasez, Joey Fatone, jr., and Chris Kirkpatrick--to come to his rescue. "I mean they bring you up if you're in a bad mood," he relates gratefully. "They are really good listeners and have good advice.

"I really pay attention to everybody"

Lance's full-on faithful friendship ethic was strengthened and his eyes were opened to the importance of taking out the tough times by a majorily sad event that happened about four years ago: the suicide of a close friend. "She was a really close friend," he begins sadly. "she was only 16 and she had a boyfriend problems. He broke up with her and she was totally devastated. She was going to scare her boyfriend by pretending to kill herself, or going to try to kill herself, I don't know. She had the gun up to her stomach and it went off."

Lance says not only was her family completely crushed, but he and everyone who knew her were also completely devastated. And what bummed him out the most about his friends suicide is that she felt like she had nowhere to go and no one to talk to, when in reality she was surrounded by lots of people who loved her. "I was the person everyone came to talk to about every problem," he frowns "and I would try to give good advice. Since then, I really pay attention to everybody and I try to help out with everyone's situations."

But lance knows that his friends don't always have the answers, and sometimes its tough to turn to them. So when his buds have good ears but no answers, Lance looks to his family for support--and he wishes his friend would have done that, too. "I always can go to my parents," he expresses. "That's really important to me."

Although it's taken a long time for his heartache to heal, lance has learned that the most important thing to do when dealing with overwhelming emotions, like stress or depression, is to talk to someone about them. Friends, family, even teachers and school counselors can help out. Remember that, and pass it on!!