With 'N Sync's touring behind Celebrity wrapped, Lance Bass will now turn his attention back to outer space. Bass is expected to report to Star City Russia, outside of Moscow, on May 13th to begin training for a space mission that will likely launch in November.
The singer's quest will also be the subject of Celebrity Mission: Lance Bass, a television special that will follow Bass from training through the process of becoming an astronaut. The program is being developed by Destiny Productions in Los Angeles, which has inked the Phil Gurin Company (which produces The Weakest Link) to executive produce.
"Lance will stay there for a few months," says David Krieff, president of Destiny Productions. "He's committed and he's packing. I think we're gonna have a big party in Orlando with all the 'N Sync guys before he leaves." The few months could be as many as five, where Bass will undergo training with flight simulations and training for emergency situation responses. Should Bass pass muster in training, he would be completing a childhood dream; as a twelve-year-old, he attended Space Camp in Titusville, Florida.
As for the program, Krieff likens the extent of the coverage to The Osbournes. "We're covering all of it," he says. "Every inch of this thing has been covered and will continue to be covered 24/7."
The only outstanding issue is finding a second celebrity lined up, should something go wrong with Bass' training. Krieff says there has been a great deal of interest, but that he is still looking for a committed back-up.
ANDREW DANSBY
(May 1, 2002)
Posted by Jen on Thursday, May 2, 2002 @ 11:51 a.m.
Britney Spears is no longer a virgin, according to her now ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake.
US reports suggest that the 'NSYNC star revealed the information onboard a recent flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles.
He told a fellow passenger: "She lost her virginity a while ago - I should know."
Britney's personal life has long been the subject of public scrutiny after she famously denounced the idea of sex before marriage.
However, more recently the 20-year-old singer has been keen to get rid of the 'virgin' tag, telling British TV host Frank Skinner: "I just wish I'd never said anything about it."
According to tabloid reports, Timberlake also revealed the reasons behind his split with childhood sweetheart Britney.
"We broke up because she was wanting to get married and I didn't," he said.
Posted by Jen on Thursday, May 2, 2002 @ 11:50 a.m.
-- Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child, *NSYNC singer Justin Timberlake, and rapper Nelly have made new public-service announcements (PSAs) for YouthAIDS, an organization that informs and educates 15-to-24-year-olds about the dangers of HIV and AIDS. The PSAs present AIDS statistics and offer hope for future generations against the background music of the rerecorded "What's Going On" single, written by Marvin Gaye.
Statistics noting that nearly 6,000 young people are infected with HIV every day, and that half of all new infections are occurring among the world's 15-to-24 year olds, are presented in the spots. The PSAs also direct viewers to the website youthAIDS.org to learn more about the disease, and the opportunities to contribute to the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS. Through the effective use of theatre, media, music, fashion, and sport, YouthAIDS promotes abstinence, decreased sexual activity, and safer sex to teenagers around the world.
--- Jason Gelman, New York
Posted by Jen on Thursday, May 2, 2002 @ 11:49 a.m.
NEW YORK (AP) -- A photographer has caught pop star Britney Spears on film smoking a cigarette, after she's been preaching for years that she was against the habit.
The 20-year-old singer once told the News-Sentinel in Knoxville, Tenn., "I don't believe in drugs or even smoking. I believe in God."
The New York Post is carrying the photo today showing the singer, dressed in short-shorts, apparently turning her back to the photographer.
The paper quotes the singer's spokeswoman as issuing a "no response" when asked whether Britney's smoking might encourage her young followers to light up.
Spears has been challenging her good girl image by wearing more revealing clothing and performing more provocative stage shows.
She told the Associated Press in 2002, "I'm on stage, I'm performing; Janet (Jackson) wears clothes like that, Destiny's Child wears clothes like that -- like everyone! And I was always pinpointed. I never understood that."
Her albums, "Baby One More Time," "Oops...I Did It Again" and the most recent release "Britney" all went platinum.
Posted by Jen on Thursday, May 2, 2002 @ 11:47 a.m.
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