Beartooth frontman Caleb Shomo has shared one of the most personal and vulnerable moments of his career, publicly revealing that he is gay in an emotional statement posted across his social media channels. Known for turning pain, addiction, depression, and personal struggle into cathartic anthems, Shomo’s announcement arrives during a transformative new chapter for the band, who are preparing to release their sixth studio album Pure Ecstasy on August 28 via their new label home, Fearless Records.
In the deeply reflective message, see below, Shomo explained that he has spent years wrestling with his identity while simultaneously pouring his internal battles into Beartooth’s music. He spoke candidly about the emotional weight carried throughout the band’s earlier material, describing albums shaped by “self hatred, self loathing, and hopelessness,” while admitting he often avoided confronting the deeper roots behind those feelings. The vocalist also opened up about his past struggles with alcohol, revealing that sobriety ultimately became the catalyst that pushed him toward understanding and accepting his sexuality.
Shomo emphasized that the upcoming era of Beartooth will be built on complete honesty and emotional transparency. According to the singer, before writing a single note for Pure Ecstasy, he made the decision to fully embrace who he truly is — both lyrically and personally — refusing to “water any part of it down.” The highly anticipated record marks the band’s first release through Fearless Records and follows 2023’s The Surface, pushing Beartooth into what may become their most fearless and emotionally exposed era to date.
The response from fans and fellow artists has already been overwhelmingly supportive, with many praising Shomo’s courage and openness. Closing the message with words of encouragement for others struggling with their identity, the vocalist urged people to show themselves patience, honesty, and grace instead of burying their emotions. For an artist whose music has long connected with listeners navigating darkness and isolation, this moment feels less like an announcement and more like the beginning of a new chapter — one rooted in truth, healing, and finally learning how to love oneself fully.
His deeply personal message on socials.
“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.
- Caleb Shomo”
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