Young Dumb & Broke singer Khalid came out as gay on Friday, November 22. He took to X to notify fans of the same, adding that while it wasn't anyone's business, he's sharing it anyway, and asserted that he's proud of himself.
In one of his tweets, he also divulged that the decision to come out was snatched from him, forcing him to come clean on a public platform. The internet reacted with sympathy, with many noting that this shouldn't be how anyone has to come out. Here's what one user said:
"this is so unfair and nobody deserves to go through this. Idc how “clear” the closet is according to chronically online folk."
"We figured but it’s not our business," another user jested.
"but you should’ve been able to tell the world on your own time. i’m sorry people are clout chasers," another user empathized.
"although the closet was made of glass, you should’ve had the right to tell the world on your own time (if you even wanted to). he’s weird for outing you like that. pay him dust and move on," yet another echoed.
"don’t feel any pressure to speak about it any more, you don’t owe anyone any type of explanation, im so incredibly sorry that this wasn’t able to be on your own terms. but if you do ever wanna tell it your own way in the future, we’re ALL here to listen and support with open arms," a fourth person comforted the singer.
Scores online weighed in to cheer the singer up:
"you beautiful soul. sending so much love & strength. you’re not alone. i know it’s hard to see now, but i promise soon you’ll feel sm more freedom now that the weight is off ur shoulders. we are all here for you and in AWE of your resilience, that next project is gonna go CRAZY," someone else declared.
"Next time pick someone who isn’t starving for attention. Welcome to the community! It gets messy sometimes," another person penned.
"That’s messed up that you were “outed“, but… We knew lol," a person online stated.
"Your amazing ! To the person who outted you they are miserable with themselves, you keep doing you !" yet another cheered on.
While the internet was mostly supportive, many users shared that they already knew of Khalid's sexual orientation much earlier.
Khalid comes out to the world, and says it is nobody's business but his
Notably, Khalid himself concurred on X, noting that he has never kept his sexuality hidden. Instead, he just chose not to make it public. Here's what he said on X:
" [LGBTQ+ flag]!! there yall go. next topic please lol."
In a follow-up tweet, he responded to one fan hoping "Khalid isn't GEHHH!" to which he said:
"I am! And that’s okay."
The seven-time Grammy nominee went on in yet another tweet:
"I got outted and the world still continues to turn. Let’s get this straight (lmao) I am not ashamed of my sexuality! In reality it ain’t nobodies business! But I am okay with me. love yall."
In two more tweets on X, the 26-year-old asserted that he had never been hiding anything and that his sexuality was simply no one's business. He then sent his love to all his fans and declared that he was logging off X.
Khalid has had an impressive run in the music industry, He has collaborated with several influential artists, including Billy Eilish, and his sophomore album, Free Spirit, dominated the Billboard Top 200. It has since been certified platinum by the RIAA. His singles Location and Young Dumb & Broke have also garnered chart-topping success.