Lance Bass says he 'never liked' Sean 'Diddy' Combs after Justin Timberlake conversation

The singer overheard the conversation that he says occurred at one of their 2002 concerts.

Lance Bass is spilling the tea on his relationship with the recently arrested hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.

During his Wednesday visit to Watch What Happens Live, Bass admitted that not only has he never been to “a Diddy party,”  he completely forgot that the rapper spent time opening for NSYNC during their final tour in 2002. He then revealed that putting Combs out of mind might have something to do with the advice the rapper once gave to his former bandmate, Justin Timberlake.

“I never liked him,” Bass said of Combs. “Because the very last show in Orlando, I overheard him talking to Justin being like, ‘You need to drop these effers. You need to go solo.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t like you anymore, Diddy.’”

Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick,Sean Combs Lance Bass and Joey Fatone of N' Sync

Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick,Sean Combs Lance Bass and Joey Fatone of N’ Sync.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

When host Andy Cohen the studio audience reacted with shock, Bass laughed, “I know! At my own show? What the hell?”

Cohen then joked, “You will not be hearing from Diddy about that. He’s got bigger problems than Lance Bass slagging him off on WWHL.”

“I know,” Bass quipped. “I will not be his phone call.”

Combs was arrested in Manhattan on Sep. 16 and indicted for alleged crimes dating back to 2008. A federal investigation into his notorious parties alleges that the rapper and his inner circle engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, coercion and enticement to engage in prostitution, narcotics offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and more.

The grand jury indictment against Combs, handed down on Sept. 17, lists three federal counts to be brought against him in court: sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors are also charging Combs with a “persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals” that was first brought to light in a shocking 2016 video depicting Combs abusing former girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The media mogul pleaded not guilty and denied the accusations.

Lance Bass attends the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on April 01, 2024., Sean Combs attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. Justin Timberlake attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.

Lance Bass, Sean Combs, Justin Timberlake.Jesse Grant/Getty; John Shearer/Getty; Lionel Hahn/Getty

While Timberlake has never cited Combs as a reason for his decision, the singer did eventually split from NSYNC to pursue a solo career, making that 2002 tour their last. The band, which also includes Joey Fatone,  JC Chasez, and Chris Kirkpatrick, announced their hiatus that same year before officially splitting up. They reunited last fall for their first song together in two decades, “Better Place,” for Timberlake’s animated feature film Trolls Band Together.

Since then, the members have mostly played coy but occasionally hinted at potential projects beyond the movie single. Elsewhere in his WWHL appearance, Bass was asked by a caller about rumors of a possible NSYNC reunion tour and hyped fans up with his response.

 “I can finally say we’re in talks right now,” Bass said to applause from the audience, pointing out that Deadpool & Wolverine highlighting one of their hit songs has sparked a resurgent moment for the band. “We’d be stupid not to do something. So, just hold your breath just a little longer. It’s gonna take a little time, but I think something’s coming.”

Following the Trolls release, Timberlake teased the possibility of even more new music from the band, telling Kelly Clarkson in January, “We’ve been in the studio, so there may be a little something in the future, too.”

You can hear Bass share his feelings about Combs in the WWHL clip above.