Beartooth rock star Caleb Shomo has announced that he is a proud gay man after being married to his wife, Fleur Shomo, for more than 14 years.
He added: “There has been a lot of speculation surrounding my personal life recently, and I feel compelled to set the record straight before it affects those I love most.” he wrote on Instagram Saturday.
“I’m a proud gay man. This is something I’ve been thinking about and considering in my life for some time,” Caleb added.
The 33-year-old musician said repressing his sexuality was “hard to deal with” and that he was “embarrassed” that he had not allowed himself to “dig up his roots for so long”.
“I spent a decade burying my feelings with alcohol, and honestly when I decided to put it aside and focus on exploring why I felt this way for so long, it was a direct path for me to come to terms with my sexuality in hopes that it would eventually lead to an experience of self-love,” he wrote.
Caleb said he vowed to express himself “wholeheartedly and fully” on his upcoming album.
“Wherever it takes me I will follow and refuse to water down any part of it, from the music to the lyrical content, and the way I portray myself,” he wrote.
Caleb added, “I’m only going to do what makes me happy on the deepest level, which is the most honest portrayal of my personality. I think it’s impossible to love every part of you when you’re not facing every part of you head-on. I’m finally trying to be proud of who I am and I think that’s a big part of that journey.”
Previous Offensive Attack! The singer concluded his post by thanking those who showed him love and support.
“I encourage anyone struggling with their identity to give themselves grace. Give yourself patience. And be true to yourself,” he wrote.
“Do the hard work instead of burying it as deep as possible thinking it will change like I did. Holding on to these things only hurts you and those around you. I love you all, and I hope this is a step in the right direction to loving myself one day.”
Caleb’s wife, Fleur, too She took to Instagramwrote that the past few months have been “a very confusing and hurtful time to navigate” for her and her husband.
“But I will always want to love, protect and support Caleb. I have cared more about his well-being over the years than anything else in the world,” she wrote.
The “My Top 5” co-host, 41, said she saw the “confusion and pain” Caleb experienced as he battled his sexuality but didn’t know how to help him.
“You never want anything more for your person than for them to be okay. You’re also constantly asking yourself if you’re a bad person to wondering what this means for your world and the anger you feel as well.”
“I’m the only one who has to deal with the duality of this situation. Supporting him while he’s losing everything has been very difficult,” Fleur added.
“You can love and support your person through the toughest times in their life, while being completely devastated and losing yourself at the same time. You doubt everything. But I’ve learned the one thing I don’t need to question is our history. No matter what anyone says, I know it.”
Fleur said her 14-year marriage to Caleb was “wonderful and filled with so much fun, adventure and love.”
“I already miss her and my husband more than anything else. Our story was good. And now it’s over,” she wrote.
“I hope anyone in the world going through this finds hope and courage, and I hope fans can continue to support Caleb.”
Flo and Caleb married in April 2012. They do not have any children.