Image: Beartooth [Official Press Photo]
Following the developments of recent weeks and months, Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo has officially spoken out on his Instagram channel. In a long statement, he writes one thing above all: “I am a proudly gay man.”
Along with this coming out, he also delves into the background of all Beartooth albums—including the upcoming Pure Ecstasy releasing in August—as well as his difficult journey toward self-acceptance.
His complete statement reads as follows:
"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, yet feel embarrassed at times that I wouldn't allow myself to really dig up the roots for so long.
I spent a decade burying feelings with alcohol, and honestly when I decided to put it down and focus on exploring why I felt this way for so long, it's been a direct path to me reconciling with my sexuality in hopes that it will eventually lead to me experiencing self love. One thing I decided before I wrote a single note of the upcoming album is that whatever happens, I will express myself whole heartedly and fully. Wherever it takes me I will follow and I refuse to water any part of it down, from the music, to the lyrical content, and way I portray myself. I will only do what makes me happy at the deepest level and what is the most honest depiction of who I am. I believe it's impossible to love every part of you when you won't face every part of you head on. I am trying to finally be proud of who I am and I think this is a massive part of that journey.
To those who have shown me love, empowerment through living life freely and openly in my presence, supporting the queer community, or simply telling me you love me whoever I am, I am forever in your debt and I hope you know what you mean to me.
I encourage anyone who's struggling with who they are to give yourself grace. Give yourself patience. Be honest with yourself. Do the hard work instead of burying it down as deep as you physically can thinking it will change like I did. Holding these things in only hurt you and those around you.
Love you all, and hopefully this is a step in the right direction to loving myself one day."
Statement from Caleb's Wife, Fleur Shomo
Unfortunately, the tumult surrounding the release of the music video for “Free” and the subsequent backlash has also reached Caleb's wife. As Shomo noted at the beginning of his statement, his public announcement is also intended to prevent any further burden on his loved ones. Fleur Shomo has now also officially spoken out and released her own statement, talking honestly and openly about the developments and her feelings regarding them:
"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. I have cared more about his well being over the years than anything else in the world.
To see the confusion and pain he went through and the highs and lows and wanting to help but not knowing how. You never want anything more for your person than for them to just be ok. You also ask yourself constantly if you’re a bad person for wondering wtf this means for your world & the anger you also feel. I am the only person that is having to deal with the duality of this situation. To support him whilst losing everything has been incredibly hard to figure out. 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."
"I have always wanted nothing more than for Caleb to be happy. Trying to help him go through this without having any idea what to do, has been a learning curve we neve expected to experience together. The isolation of not being able to talk to people about this has been profound, as it has not been my story to share. My mental health has suffered & I have had moments where I have not felt or acted like myself. For those that have known & been there, thank you. I’ll never be able to repay your kindness."
"Nobody will know anything about our marriage like we do. And no one can ever truly know what depths of love exist between two people unless they are those people. I already miss it & my husband more than anything. Our story was a good one. And now it’s done.
I hope anyone in the world going through this finds hope & courage & I hope that fans can continue to support Caleb.
For now I’m going to keep focusing on what I can control & continue living my life trying to achieve what I want to achieve. And if I keep saying hi to as many dogs as possible along the way, then I’m sure things will slowly get better, day by day, piece by small piece, bird by bird."
The statements from both Caleb and Fleur show a great deal of courage—especially today and even within the heavy music scene, as numerous homophobic comments have unfortunately shown. Accordingly, we wish them both nothing but the best for the future.
Now, there is even more anticipation building for the new Beartooth album Pure Ecstasy, which drops on August 28, 2026. As described by Shomo himself, it will likely showcase a completely new, unfiltered side of him. Track titles like “Eyes Closed,” “Beautiful Again,” “Lose You To Find Me,” and “For Me By Me,” leading up to the closing track “Made It,” already hint at a deeply emotional journey through both lyrics and sound.
You can pre-order the new album directly here.
