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Music

Beartooth Singer Caleb Shomo Reveals He Faced 'A Lot of Homophobia' After Coming Out as Gay

The hard rock frontman says living authentically was essential for his mental health despite facing online hostility.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 2 min read

Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo is opening up about the difficult aftermath of coming out as gay earlier this year. The hard rock vocalist revealed that going public with his true identity was met with a troubling amount of online hostility and homophobic backlash, all while he was navigating a major life transformation behind the scenes. The musician originally shared his reality with fans back in May, proudly confirming his sexuality on social media. That major personal announcement also arrived alongside the news that he was divorcing his wife after 14 years of marriage, representing a profound shift in both his personal world and his identity as a performer.

why did caleb shomo come out gay While thousands of long-time listeners rushed to fill his social channels with love and encouragement, Shomo acknowledged that the overall response was far from universally supportive. He noted that stepping forward as an openly gay artist in the heavy music scene exposed him to a wave of bigotry and harsh judgment from online critics. Despite the ugly reaction from certain corners of the internet, Shomo emphasized that keeping his true self concealed had become far too painful to endure. Making the decision to live openly and honestly was essential for his mental well-being, proving far more important than pleasing fair-weather followers or avoiding public commentary.

Collage of two images of a person with dark hair, tattoos, and makeup.
Collage of two images of a person with dark hair, tattoos, and makeup.

is caleb shomo still in beartooth Shomo remains the central force and lead vocalist of Beartooth, the heavy rock outfit he first formed back in 2012. As the band continues touring across the globe and headlining major festivals, Shomo is embracing his new life on stage with renewed energy and complete self-acceptance. Navigating a high-profile divorce alongside a public coming-out story presents plenty of challenges, but Shomo is staying focused on the positive outcome of his choice. He expressed deep gratitude for the fans who continue to stand by him, choosing to celebrate his authentic path while ignoring the noise of his online detractors. For Shomo, speaking out about the homophobia he encountered serves as a reminder of why visibility in rock music matters. By standing firm in who he is, the singer hopes to inspire others in the alternative music community to live proudly without fear of judgment.

The photos · 6

Collage of two images of a person with dark hair, tattoos, and makeup.
On Friday’s episode of “The Breakdown with Nath & Johnny,” the singer (seen here) shared he first came out to others in September 2025 before publicly announcing it to the world in May.
“I had already decided, like, I’m not gonna water myself down at all,” Shomo (seen here) continued.
“I’m going to just do what I wanna do. I’m gonna wear what I wanna wear. I’m gonna sing how I wanna sing,” the rocker (seen here) added.
Shomo (seen here) explained he was met with a lot of opposition.
Shomo (seen above) continued, “I mean, really, just a lot of homophobia, and a lot of people who really were not okay with me presenting that way at all, with what I was doing, any of it.”

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People also ask

When did Caleb Shomo come out as gay?
Caleb Shomo publicly came out as a proud gay man in May, sharing the news directly with his fanbase.
Was Caleb Shomo married before coming out?
Yes, the Beartooth vocalist was married for 14 years before divorcing his wife around the time he came out.
What band is Caleb Shomo in?
Caleb Shomo is the lead singer and founder of the hard rock band Beartooth, which he launched in 2012.