Tevin Campbell Says He Didn’t Start Understanding His Sexuality Until After He Left The Music Business: It Was Work, I Didn’t Have Time To Process Any Of That

Tevin Campbell Says He Didn’t Start Understanding His Sexuality Until After He Left The Music Business: It Was Work; I Didn’t Have Time To Process Any Of That

R&B legend Tevin Campbell is talking to us about his life and his love for a minute.

In a recent interview with the PEOPLE Every Day podcast, Tevin Campbell opened up about the pressures of living up to the music industry’s straight, teenage-heartthrob image and if it affected his road to embracing his personal identity.

When asked about the difficulties of growing into his truest self in a heterosexual, male-driven business, Tevin Campbell told host Janine Rubenstein:

“I didn’t start understanding those things until I got away from the business–until I left the business. Like I said, it was work; I didn’t have time to process any of that. Yeah, I knew my sexuality, but I didn’t think of the representation that I didn’t see in the business. I didn’t think about those things.”

Tevin Campbell

The former child star then proceeded with how “coming out” to his loved ones at the age of 19 or 20 catapulted his journey to self-discovery–beyond the booth and the red-carpet barricades.

“When I came out to my family and my friends, when I was about nineteen or twenty, that was it for me. And then I went on this road of discovering myself. I didn’t know who I was! I didn’t know how to do anything but go to the studio and sing. Like, who is this guy? Who are you?”

However, despite Hollywood’s promoted portrayal of the 45-year-old and his (seemingly) private lifestyle, it was never his intention to hide who he was.

“I didn’t hide anything about me. I didn’t try to act a certain way or anything. [I knew that] you just couldn’t be [gay] back then.”

Not too long ago, the I’m Ready singer confirmed his part in the LGBTQ+ community by flaunting the rainbow-flag emoji in a tweet. It’s also proudly sitting in his Instagram bio.

Although Campbell is aware of his preference being the topic of many discussions, speaking of his now-deleted tweet, he added:

“It was a casual thing for me. I love my fans but what they think of my sexuality is of no importance to me.”

Making his musical entrance in the late ’80s, by the time the ’90s era rolled around, Tevin Campbell hit megastar success with the 1991 release of his platinum-selling, debut album, T.E.V.I.N., which featured iconic songs “Tell Me What You Want to Do” and “Alone with You.”

His Babyface-produced single, “Can We Talk,” from his sophomore project, I’m Ready, is still being talked about among today’s generation.

What’s your favorite Tevin Campbell classic? Let us know in the comments below!

[VIA]