LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

From boy band break-ups to custody court chaos, Lance Bass and Britney Spears have seen it all. Yet, the long-time friends have found a way to remain close.

Lance, currently promoting his memoir, “Out of Sync,” made time to visit his old pal Britney at her home in LA.

“I went over to the house. It was great,” he told People. “I went over to see the kids, and you can tell she’s really trying so hard to get herself back in order.”

Lance feels that being a member of a group, as opposed to a solo act, has helped to keep him grounded.

Dealing with fame and fortune was “easy when you have four of your best friends on tour with you at all times,” he said, recollecting about his time as a boy band superstar. “If your head gets a little big, you have four guys slapping you and going, ‘What the hell are you doing?‘”

On the flipside, Spears “was by herself. It’s different when you’re a solo act, and you don’t have anyone around you telling you no,” he added.

At his book signing, Lance talked about the important role Britney played during his coming out process.

“She was one of the first people that I came out to. We grew up together, basically. She was the first opening act that we had,” Lance said. “And she was dating Justin. We’ll always have that family vibe between us.”

Lance offered Britney some straightforward advice.

“Just be yourself,” he said. “And remember where you came from.”

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