Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo comes out as 'proudly gay' after months of speculation

Caleb Shomo, lead singer and founder of the metalcore band Beartooth, has come out as gay after months of public speculation and online scrutiny surrounding his recent artistic direction and public image.

Musician Caleb Shomo comes out as gay

The musician shared the news in a statement released on social media on Saturday, where he opened up about the personal challenges he’s faced in coming to terms with his identity.

“Recently there has been a lot of speculation surrounding my personal life and I feel compelled to set the record straight before it affects those I love even more (sic),” Shomo wrote. “I’m proudly gay (sic).”

The singer continued by reflecting on the emotional process behind the announcement.

“This is something I’ve been anticipating in my life for some time (sic),” he continued. “It was difficult to navigate the feelings surrounding the subject and figure out what to do with that fact (sic).”

The full statement read:

“Recently there has been a lot of speculation surrounding my personal life and I feel compelled to set the record straight before it affects those I love.”

This is something I’ve been unpacking and calculating in my life for quite some time now. It was difficult to navigate the feelings around the subject and figure out what to do with this fact.

When it comes to my art / Beartooth, I’ve always tried to pursue who I am in the deepest part of my soul from album to album. As you can tell if you followed the band at all in the earlier years, there are 4 very self-deprecating albums about exploring my religious upbringing, depression, self-loathing, self-loathing and hopelessness. I’m grateful for all these albums, but sometimes I feel embarrassed that I didn’t allow myself to dig my 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 the way I did for so long, it was a direct path to coming to terms with my sexuality in hopes that it would eventually lead to me experiencing self-love. One thing I decided before I wrote a single note on the upcoming album is that no matter what happens, I will express myself wholeheartedly and fully. Wherever it takes me, I will follow and refuse to water down any part of it, from the music to the textual content and the way I portray myself. I will only do what makes me happy at the deepest level and most honestly represents who I am. I believe it’s impossible to love every part of yourself if you don’t face every part of yourself head on. I’m trying to finally be proud of who I am, and I think that’s a big part of this journey.

To those who have shown me love, empowerment by living life freely and openly in my presence, supporting the queer community, or simply telling me you love me no matter who I am, I am forever in your debt and I hope you know what you mean to me.

I encourage anyone who struggles with who they are to give themselves grace. Be patient. Be honest with yourself. Do the hard work instead of burying it as deep as you physically can and thinking it will change like I did. Holding these things inside only hurts you and those around you.

I love you all and hopefully this is a step in the right direction towards loving myself one day.

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The announcement comes months after the release of Beartooth’s single Free, which drew mixed reactions from fans due to its more melodic and pop-oriented sound. The music video, which featured Shomo in flamboyant clothing and makeup, also became the subject of online comments and ridicule in some corners of the rock and metal community.

Among the most talked about reactions was a post by Attila frontman Chris Fronzak, who joked on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Looks like Caleb Shomo dropped the ‘S.'” Fronzak later apologized for the remark after criticism from fans and fellow musicians who called the comment homophobic.

The backlash surrounding the release of “Free” seemed to coincide with a period of withdrawal from social media for Shomo. Following the controversy, the singer deleted his personal Instagram account before quietly returning to the platform earlier this month.