In a brand new interview on the Individuals Each Day Podcast, Tevin Campbell publicly addressed his sexuality for the primary time.
Relying on which decade you had been born, you might know Tevin Campbell as an R&B singer, a cartoon heartthrob, or the man whose tune began a viral TikTok problem.
His sexuality grew to become a sizzling matter earlier this 12 months when he responded to a fan questioning R&B singers’ sexualities by saying, “Tevin is 🌈” in a now-deleted tweet.
Followers had speculated about Campbell’s sexuality, however he stored his non-public life away from the general public.
“I didn’t cover something about me. I didn’t attempt to act a sure manner or something,” he stated. “You simply couldn’t be [gay] again then,” he stated.
Campbell additional praised Black artists like Lil Nas X and Frank Ocean for publicly embracing their queer identities, saying, “I am glad I get to see [this]. I am glad that it is altering.”
Within the podcast interview, Tevin defined that as a teen star, he knew his sexuality however did not have the time to course of it.
“There are a number of youngsters, particularly younger Black boys, that have to see illustration. They’re not being taught to like themselves due to who they’re,” he continued, bearing on how poisonous masculinity has introduced ache and even demise to the younger Black queer group.
I gotta say, as a Black queer man, Tevin is 100% proper. I grew up within the ’90s listening to his music, dancing alongside Powerline, wishing for a day that I may embrace my sexuality. Now, I am vibing out to his music with a want fulfilled. The world sees us now, Tevin Campbell.
I am additionally clearly not alone. Followers have additionally flocked to Twitter to voice their help.
I do not find out about y’all however I am comfortable to see our Black music icons like Queen Latifah, Da Brat, and Tevin Campbell stepping totally into their queerness and naming themselves on their very own phrases.
“We already knew Tevin Campbell was homosexual.”
I don’t care in case you wait till you’re 97 & in your deathbed to come back out. It’s lovely, courageous, and value celebrating- particularly in a world that already hates you.
It appears to be like like Powerline had it proper all alongside: “If we hear to one another’s coronary heart, we’ll discover we’re by no means too far aside.”
