The lead singer of the American metalcore/hard rock band Beartooth is "Free" and no longer living "In Between," if you take two of their hit song titles literally. Caleb Shomo posted a coming out message on Instagram Saturday, four months ahead of their world tour.
"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," Shomo wrote. "I am a proudly gay man."
Shomo's wife of more than 13 years, Fleur Shomo, posted her own message on Instagram, confirming they have split up and expressing her support.
"The past few months have been a very disorientating and hurtful time to navigate. For both of us. But I will always want to love, protect and support Caleb," she wrote in a post that is no longer publicly visible, but its content was reported USA Today. "I have cared more about his well being over the years than anything else in the world."
Reaction to his first Instagram post since coming out over the weekend was a mix of support and homophobic condemnation, and it's received more than 30K "likes." His coming out post has been shared nearly 5K times.
"Been following your journey since the beginning and always admired your transparency and vulnerability," wrote out actor Jacob Wilson. "As a gay man who also struggled with being raised in a religious household and having to come to terms with my own path and life, my heart feels for you so hard right now. You’re a fuckin legend man, I hope you don’t let any of this negativity get you down, your music has helped a lot of people and I know you’re going to flourish from here on out. Keep moving forward. ❤️👊"
Photographer Tim Tronckoe shared his own coming out journey in a comment he added to Shomo's post as well.
"I remember it was 10 years ago when I came out. I was 25 then," Tronckoe wrote. "Being a creative in a male dominated world, I was slightly terrified. Looking back, I've never felt more free and relieved. My husband and I have been together for ten years, married for over two years now. The music industry, my field of work, was ever so welcoming and accepting. Deep inside I knew I had nothing to worry about, but it still felt as a relief to see it confirmed in the blanket of love and appreciation which I was covered in. Love is love, and true love means freedom! 🫶"
"This is something I've been unpacking and reckoning with in my life for quite some time now," wrote Shomo. In her own post, Fleur Shomo expressed a similar struggle, coming to terms with her husband's sexuality.
She shared that her effort "to support him whilst losing everything has been incredibly hard to figure out," adding, "you can love and support your person through the hardest time in their life, whilst also be completely demolished & lose yourself at the same time," she wrote.
"Our nearly 14yrs of marriage was wonderful and full of so much fun, adventure & love," and "I already miss it & my husband more than anything," wrote Fleur Shomo, and encouraged his fans to keep supporting him.
Unfortunately, a handful of commenters ignored that plea and, apparently in reference to Shomo's own struggles with his religious upbringing, posted things such as, "Praying God comes back into your life and rescues you from sin. All love, your brother in Christ.," with another calling Shomo a "freak."
But most of those commenting expressed support, like a nonbinary artist by the handle @princenaoto, who wrote: "love this so much for you caleb ♥️ so happy to see you able to be your true self finally ! can’t wait to see you in november 🤘🏽"
In fact, quite a few fans promised to see him and Beartooth on their fall tour, which begins in Germany in September, with dates across Europe before the band plays in Boston in November and tours cities across the U.S. through December.
Here's Shomo's message to fans in full:
"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, but feel embarrassed at times that I wouldn't allow myself to really dig up the roots for so long."
