Tevin Campbell embraces his gay identity in a new interview

After years of speculation and rumors, R&B legend Tevin Campbell is setting the record straight about his personal life.

In the latest episode of PEOPLE magazine People every day podcast, the ’90s heartthrob officially confirms he’s gay and offers insight into what finally made him come out to his fans.

“What makes me happiest right now is how far I’ve come in life,” he said. “You know, there are a lot of child stars who don’t make it. But a lot of us do… and the fact that he embraced me.”

As Billboard reports, rumors about Campbell’s sexuality have swirled throughout his 30-year career. However, things came to a head earlier this year when he posted a now-deleted tweet that read “Tevin is…” followed by a rainbow flag emoji. He explains that while he didn’t keep his identity a secret from those around him, the music industry didn’t really allow him the same luxury in public. “I have not hidden anything from myself. I wasn’t trying to act a certain way or anything like that,” he said. “You just couldn’t be [gay] then.”

Join our text club! Text “FOXY” to 24042

The big turning point came in 2005 when Campbell’s lead role as the seaweed J. Stubbs in the Broadway musical Hairspray finally allowed him to embrace his true self. “To be around people who were like me, LGBTQ+ people who lived normal lives and had partners. I had never seen that,” he said. “It was a great time of my life.”

The “Can We Talk” singer also gives props to quirky artists like Frank Ocean and Lil Nas X about breaking down doors for LGBTQ+ acts to find success in music while being openly themselves. “It wasn’t like that in the 90s, but I’m glad I can see it. I’m glad that’s changing,” he said. “There are a lot of kids, especially young black boys, who need to see representation. They are not taught to love themselves for who they are.”

SEE ALSO:

Tevin Campbell Trending On Social Media… Here’s Why

Tevin Campbell is officially coming out; Fully Embracing Identity as a Gay Man was originally published on foxync.com