Former 'N Sync star Lance Bass is spearheading a new campaign to raise funds for gay rights groups by auctioning off stars' shoes and boots.

The pop star is promoting Heel Hate's initiative, which offers fans the chance to own footwear donated by Jennifer Aniston and Ellen DeGeneres.

But Bass is convinced one pair of animal print ankle boots will outsell all other items - they once belonged to tragic diva Whitney Houston.

He explains, "She wore them on the cover of her single and in the video for I'm Your Baby Tonight. They're signed... She donated these just a few months before she passed away."