Beartooth Singer Caleb Shomo Comes Out As a "Proudly Gay Man"

"This is something I've been unpacking and reckoning with in my life for quite some time now"

Caleb Shomo of Beartooth [Matt Bishop/Pop Vulture]

Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo has come out as a "proudly gay man." The singer released a statement on his official Instagram, the first post since he wiped his account clean a few weeks ago. In the post, Caleb spoke about how his art has imitated his life - with the last four Beartooth albums exploring his depression, self-hatred, and hopelessness.

He also revealed how he has relied on alcohol to cope with his confusion about his identity, and how's he's finally reached a point where he can securely reveal his sexuality to his fans.

Caleb also send a message to anyone else who may be experiencing similar struggles:

"I encourage anyone who's struggling with who they are to give yourself grace."

Read his full statement below.

“There’s been a lot of speculation surrounding my personal life as of late and I feel compelled to set the record straight before it affects those I love any further.

I am a proudly gay man.

This is something I’ve been unpacking and reckoning with in my life for quite some time now. It’s been difficult to navigate the feelings surrounding the subject and figure out what to do with this fact. When it comes to my art / Beartooth, I have always strived to chase who I am in the deepest part of my soul from album to album. As you could gather if you’ve followed the band at all in the earlier years, there are 4 very self deprecating albums about exploring my religious upbringing, depression, self hatred, self loathing, and hopelessness. I am grateful for all these albums, yet feel embarrassed at times that I wouldn’t allow myself to really dig up the roots for so long.

I spent a decade burying feelings with alcohol, and honestly when I decided to put it down and focus on exploring why I felt this way for so long, it’s been a direct path to me reconciling with my sexuality in hopes that it will eventually lead to me experiencing self love. One thing I decided before I wrote a single note or lyric of the upcoming album is that whatever happens, I will express myself whole heartedly and fully. Wherever it takes me I will follow and I refuse to water any part of it down, from the music, to the lyrical content, and way I portray myself. I will only do what makes me happy at the deepest level and what is the most honest depiction of who I am.I believe it’s impossible to love every part of you when you won’t face every part of you head on.I am trying to finally be proud of who I am and I think this is a massive part of that journey.

To those who have shown me love, empowerment through living life freely and openly in my presence, supporting the queer community, or simply telling me you love me whoever I am, I am forever in your debt and I hope you know what you mean to me. I encourage anyone who’s struggling with who they are to give yourself grace. Give yourself patience. Be honest with yourself. Do the hard work instead of burying it down as deep as you physically can thinking it will change like I did. Holding these things in only hurt you and those around you.

Love you all, and hopefully this is a step in the right direction to loving myself one day."

On February 15, Beartooth came back with a brand new single, "Free." They followed it up with another new song - "Pure Ecstasy" - on May 15. The latter is the title track to their forthcoming sixth album. Arriving August 28 through Fearless Records, Pure Ecstasy finds frontman Caleb Shomo pushing Beartooth further than ever before across 11 massive tracks that channel both the chaos and clarity of hard-won personal growth.

In the fall, the band is returning to the road for a massive global headlining tour which includes stops in Europe, the UK, the United States, and Australia. The band recently revealed all the details of the run which will see the band headline along with very special guests Don Broco, Magnolia Park, Fit For a King, Windwaker, Volumes, Silverstein, and Kingdom of Graves on select dates.

The U.S. leg of the trek kicks off on Wednesday, November 11 at MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston, MA making stops across the U.S. in New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Austin, and Los Angeles before wrapping up in Wheatland, CA at Hard Rock Live on Saturday, December 19.

More than a decade into their career and with over 1.3 billion streams worldwide, Beartooth have built a reputation as one of modern rock’s most powerful forces, channeling raw emotion into songs that connect with fans across the globe. With an RIAA-certified platinum single, a gold single, and back-to-back #1 Active Rock radio hits from their chart-topping 2023 album The Surface, the band continues to reach new heights as they enter their next chapter with new music and their newly announced headline tour.